• The Mercedes-AMG F1 team could challenge for victory at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
• The track's layout favours a high-downforce setup and not one tuned to deliver the highest speed.
• Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell could be within a shot of appearing on the podium.
The 2022 Formula 1 season has not been good for the Mercedes-AMG team and its star driver Lewis Hamilton thus far. The season's first five races saw the team go from bad to bad, but they managed to secure three podium finishes and the new recruit, George Russell, has finished every one of the six races inside the top five.
But it was at the recent race in Spain, the sixth race, where the Silver Arrows seem to have turned a page on their performance. Following updates to the car, the first significant updates of the season, both Hamilton and Russell showed improved pace in a car that is much easier to handle. Especially with the porpoising (bouncing) that's plagued the high-speed performances.
After the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton said: "It's the first time we've driven down the straight without bouncing. We still have some bouncing, but it's way better."
Russell echoed the sentiment: "The car is definitely reacting differently to before, and it's way better."
A shot at victory in Monaco?
Russell and Hamilton showed impressive pace in Spain. The former staved off a valiant attack from eventual winner Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and came home in third place. Hamilton, on the other hand, tangled with Haas' Kevin Magnussen on the opening lap, sending both drivers to the back of the field. Hamilton fought back, finishing the race in fifth place. From last to fifth? Clearly, the updates worked.
While Spain was a turning point for the Mercedes-AMG team, they are still off the pace compared to Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. However, Monaco favours a car with good levels of downforce and not outright top speed. And this is something that could play in Mercedes' favour.
The team still trails its two rivals in terms of outright performance, but Monaco could be their best chance at a win. With the damning effects of porpoising minimised, the adoption of a high-downforce setup, and 'the ultimate top speed' negated to the backburner, Mercedes could have a say in the race's outcome on Sunday.
And if Hamilton can activate the car's performance as Russell has done, then one or both will surely be on the podium and perhaps even challenge for the win.