Mercedes has yet to win a single Grand Prix in Formula 1 this season. This is an anomaly that Lewis Hamilton’s team wants to resolve as soon as possible. Toto Wolff has announced major changes to the German car for this weekend’s US Formula 1 Grand Prix but has admitted that in reality, the team will be giving up on this season to concentrate on 2023, a season that could already be a lost cause.

After a mixed campaign in Asia, Mercedes is trying to be focused on this weekend’s race in Austin, Texas. With no results to show for their efforts, the Silver Arrows want to start thinking about their chances of winning in the United States.

Toto Wolff has announced a big change to the cars of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton for this Grand Prix, with the hopes of securing big points and maybe even a win. This rhetoric is somewhat bullish despite admitting that 2022 is a lost cause.

“We want to finish this season strong”

Mercedes wants to use this end of the season to prepare well for the next one, although the team had previously admitted that 2023 could also be a big struggle. Regardless of the GP in the USA, Mercedes will be praying for a good result in Austin, or risk further anger from their multiple world champion.

“The double race in Singapore and Japan was frustrating for the team, because we didn’t put ourselves in a good position on track, further forward, to maximise the race pace of the car,

“We want to finish this season strongly and the results of the last two races only make us more determined to do so,

“We need to use the limited track time available to make great strides for this season and generate as much learning as possible in the development race for 2023 – these two goals are identical,” Toto Wolff bullishly said confessing that he’s looking forward to racing in Austin, a circuit of past Mercedes success.

“Our last development of the year will be brought to Austin”

Toto Wolff has announced that this big change to his drivers’ cars in Austin will be their last, officially giving up on this 2022 F1 campaign in terms of a win.

“Our last evolution of the year will be brought to Austin. It won’t radically change our fortunes, but we hope it will move us forward and closer to the front runners,

“Austin is a great city that we all love to visit. The Circuit of the Americas is a tough track that often produces great racing, so we’re excited to be back this year and hopefully put on a great show for the fans,” 

Hamilton pessimistic on 2023

Mercedes, having gone from eight straight world constructors’ championships to falling well behind their rivals following the major rules overhaul, are planning for a significant re-design of their car for 2023 to try and reverse their fortunes.

Multiple world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted to Sky Sports F1 that he thinks a big change in direction for next season will not be easy, and could take a long time to see results. He admitted that the team have “mixed feelings” about the change in approach.

“From being here for such a long time, knowing how long it takes to change things, knowing how long the processes are, the decisions have to be actioned months in advance of the direction that you’re going,” Hamilton said.

“You’re continuously collating data and getting different bits of information that can alter those along the way.

“One thing is that I have 1,000 per cent confidence in my team. I would say just with how the rules are, I know it can be tough for everybody.

“Everyone is going to have to dig even deeper during these next six months, and it’s not going to be easy, but I feel like everyone’s up to the challenge, up to the task.”

Hamilton looks at the championship leaders Red Bull and their lead driver Max Verstappen, already a two time drivers champion, and can’t see how the Mercedes team will catch up any time soon.

“If you look at Red Bull, they’ve got a car that’s amazing. They’ve done an incredible job this year as a whole, every single individual there,” Hamilton said. “So, their car will probably just continue to evolve, as probably will Ferrari’s, although they’ve got some teething problems.

“Whereas we’ve had to take a step back and switch gears and go in a different direction and hope that we’re on that right path to be able to get back engaged.”

MORE F1 NEWS: Wolff already pessimistic over 2023 Mercedes F1 car