Mercedes is yet to win a race in 2022 after struggling to compete with Red Bull and Ferrari since the overhaul of the car designs for this season.

But after combatting a porpoising problem on its W13 car through the early part of the year, Mercedes has been getting closer to the front, recording a podium finish in eight of the last nine races.

Russell managed to finish third last time out at Monza despite Mercedes’ struggles in matching the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari around the high-speed track.

Russell admitted Ferrari “surprised” him with its pace around Monza, leading to a “lonely race” that made him glad to see the end of the run of high-speed tracks.

“Our car certainly wasn't performing at its best around this circuit,” said Russell after the race at Monza.

“I think we have

See Full Page