Mercedes could beat Ferrari

Mercedes will 'give it hell' in the final races of 2022 as they try to finish runner-up to Red Bull.

As the 2022 Formula 1 season nears its end, the most enticing question isn’t who’ll win the Constructors’ Championship, but who’ll finish as runner-up.

With a 139-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull practically has the season wrapped up.

Behind them, Ferrari has occupied the runner-up mantle for much of the year, but that may not continue. Ferrari sits just 35 points ahead of their closest competition, Mercedes, and there are still six races to go.

Yes, the Silver Arrows are yet to win a race in 2022, but they have been quietly toiling away and picking up consistent points, race after race.

This weekend’s race in Singapore is expected to play to the strength of Mercedes, as they have looked more competitive at high-downforce circuits. Hungary is a prime example - and Mercedes were on pole there.

But, Singapore is a street circuit and that means it is bumpy - something which could equally unsettle the Mercedes car.

Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton made these exact points when he spoke at an event this week.

"I would say Singapore should be a good track for us because it's a high downforce circuit, however, it is bumpy,” the seven-time champion said, according to Sky Sports.

Interestingly, Hamilton also said Mercedes’ goal was to finish the year second, behind Red Bull.

“These next six races are just about maximum attack, nothing to lose and going to give it hell,” he said.

Ferrari has held a lead over Mercedes this year thanks to strong performances early on.

Charles Leclerc won two of the first three races. He finished the other one in second.

But, that form proved to be just a blip. Ferrari’s season since has been nothing short of abysmal and Mercedes have slowly clawed back the points.

Since the Monaco Grand Prix in late May, Mercedes have scored 251 points - which is 14 more than Ferrari.

For much of that time, Mercedes were more reliable and more consistent.

Mercedes has only retired a car twice this year, once a piece for Hamilton and Russell.

If you disregard Russell’s sole retirement, he has finished every single race this year inside the top five.

On the other hand, Ferrari has faced seven retirements in 2022. The season has been marred by woeful reliability, unforced errors and strategy mistakes.

With just six races to go, each team has the potential to score a maximum of nearly 300 points - and with the gap between the two behemoths now sitting at just 35 points, nothing is yet settled.

Arriving in Singapore, will Ferrari take any confidence knowing that the last time the F1 circus made a visit, in 2019, they actually won?

Author’s note: Apologies for the delay in posts over recent weeks. I hope that this one will kickstart the normal service of receiving something each week. Bring on Singapore!! Cheers.