Mercedes is setting low expectations for the Monaco Grand Prix due to pace concerns in slow-speed corners.
Last weekend, the Brackley-based outfit enjoyed their most competitive weekend so far this year in Spain, as upgrades finally solved the porpoising problems that have blighted their season so far.
The streets of Monte Carlo provide a very different challenge to Catalunya, however, although the technical final sector can often provide a glimpse into a team’s potential in Monaco.
And based on what Mercedes saw, team boss Toto Wolff is not optimistic
“I wouldn’t say so, because we have been particularly off-pace this weekend in the slow corners in the last sector, due to overheating,” he said in his race preview.
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“That might be different in Monaco, but Monaco in the past wasn’t our most happy place. Maybe because the car was the size of an elephant.
“But I’d be curious to see where we are this weekend. We still struggle with warm up a little bit, so my expectations for Monaco are lower than on any other circuit.
“I’m not sure I can explain scientifically why that is. But it’s going to be another learning point, at least to bring us back into the game.”
Silver Arrows on the Monaco streets. ?? pic.twitter.com/ndD47MRFpT
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 27, 2022
Mercedes has a mixed recent record in Monaco, winning five of the last eight races but only once in the past four years in 2019.