Mercedes Embrace Early Performance Advantage Over Red Bull Ahead of 2022 F1 Season

Something is cooking up through the big brains of Mercedes amidst the nearing 2022 F1 season that is certainly going to have a few surprises in store.

2021 was always going to offer a rather twisty campaign, especially after having heard Honda’s exit news. The Japanese manufacturers weren’t going to leave the sport without pulling the prominence to themselves one last time.

And rightfully so, Mercedes and Red Bull produced an insane level of rivalry, something that had been missing in F1 for over 8 years. To further glorify it, this particular rivalry was none like anything in the past – from the first race in Bahrain until the finale in Abu Dhabi, the intensity never ceased at any point.

Such was the excitement that the two teams managed to provide for the viewers. And of course, in the end, Mercedes left heartbroken despite winning the constructors’ championship for the 8th consecutive season, thanks to Max Verstappen’s late steal at the Abu Dhabi GP.

Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in the pits during the race Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic

Nevertheless, Mercedes just couldn’t grab onto the driver’s title, but, they are not keen on letting Red Bull inch anywhere near them in 2022. The Brackley outfit are exploiting every single opportunity to re-ignite their dominance in Formula 1. But, how?

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Mercedes holding the upper hand in 2022?

Come 2022, the F1 cars are all set to receive a makeover and not just minimally, but to the extent where none of them can go unnoticed. Hence, a lot of teams have had their focus on building a strong-enough car to scalp the title, and so have Mercedes and Red Bull.

Interestingly for title favorites, Mercedes, they seem to be holding an additional upper hand in terms of the pit stop equipment. The Brackley outfit managed to build the much-anticipated e-gun and even tested it during the free practice in Abu Dhabi.

Formula One F1 – Mexico Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – November 6, 2021 Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in the pit lane during practice REUTERS/Andres Stapff

To the ones unaware of what an e-gun is, it is nothing but a cordless electric screwdriver that will reduce the complexity of changing wheels by getting rid of the multiple components that support the current wheel-changing pistol, Hurricane.

The latest innovation not only increases efficiency but also bolsters the performance of the pit crew. With lesser components and much simpler pistols in hand, the precision should increase substantially, which consequently reduces pit stop timing.

And Mercedes are leading the race in this particular criteria! So, does this mark the end of Red Bull’s brief cameo?

Read More: Are Cordless Pit-Stops the Way Forward in F1? Mercedes Trial ‘e-gun’ in Abu Dhabi

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