"We're just slightly behind" - Mercedes technical director speaks about team's progress following F1 pre-season testing

Mercedes' technical director Mike Elliot has confirmed that the Silver Arrows are 'just slightly behind' their competitors heading into the new 2022 F1 season.

In a video uploaded to the team's social media channels, Elliot spoke on the developments the team has made thus far after pre-season testing in Bahrian. He said:

“I guess you’ve been watching and following the tests. It’s been an exciting few days for us. We’ve brought a big upgrade package. I think when you look at the times, at the moment we’re just slightly behind Red Bull and Ferrari. We’ve got work to do.”

Elliot joined Mercedes as the head of aerodynamics in 2012 before moving up the ranks to become technical director in 2017. He went on to add, saying:

“I think you’ll have seen all the cars bouncing and everybody’s struggling with that and as a way in, what we’ve got to do is work out how we get the best compromise between the bouncing and the performance in the package. We’ve worked really hard over the last few days. We’re working really hard over the next few days, trying to maximize what we can bring to Bahrain.”

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Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has 'absolutely no idea' where they stand in 2022 F1 grid

Lewis Hamilton has confessed that he and Mercedes have no idea where they stand with regard to the rest of the F1 grid in light of the new regulatory changes in the sport.

When asked about the level of excitement and anticipation he had going into the 2022 campaign, the seven-time world champion said:

“Every year is exciting, but of course in previous years, it was an evolution of the previous year’s car. In this one, it is completely brand new. Of course, I have seen the designs of our car over several months. But to see everyone’s car out there, you are trying to get a close eye to see what is different, if anything, why a certain team has chosen a certain route in terms of its sidepod design, front wing and rear floor. You have absolutely no idea where you stand. Most likely, most cars are probably overweight, they are heavier than they have ever been. I am glad people are able to stop them so far.”

F1 has overhauled its rulebook and brought in sweeping regulatory changes to usher in a new era of the sport. These changes include the return of ground effect in aerodynamics, more efficient and sustainable power units, and bigger wheels with tires that are expected to degrade slower among others.

Hamilton, however, was also quick to acknowledge that his team still had a few obstacles to overcome before the first race of the year in Bahrain.