Davidson: Merc can mix it with Red Bull, Ferrari at French GP

Anthony Davidson believes Mercedes should have the pace to compete with Red Bull and Ferrari for victory at this weekend's French Grand Prix.

After a hugely disappointing start to the season following the introduction of new design regulations for the 2022 campaign, the eight-time reigning constructors' champions have finally appeared to begin to close the gap to their rivals.

The Silver Arrows managed just three podiums in the first seven races of the season, but have now secured four in a row, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton third in each of the last three rounds.

It was only at one of those three races, the British GP, where Hamilton had the pace to compete for victory, and with Marseille's Circuit Paul Ricard possessing similar characteristics to Silverstone, there is optimism that Mercedes could be in with a chance of a first victory this season.

Former F1 driver Davidson told Sky Sports News: "It's definitely a long shot, but I think if there's any circuit you could choose from this season, it would have been Silverstone and Paul Ricard, where Mercedes would have a chance to mix it with the top two teams - Red Bull and Ferrari - on genuine pace.

"Coming off the back of Austria, where they had a good solid race - unfortunately qualifying didn't really go their way with both cars crashing out - but the pace looked pretty good. Not on the same level as Red Bull and Ferrari, but traditionally that's been quite a weak circuit for them.

"Bearing in mind what we saw at Silverstone, really strong race pace there, Paul Ricard - a nice smooth circuit which should suit the car, high grip situation as well, high degradation on the tyres, all of these elements coming together for Mercedes should mean, by rights,