Former F1 world champ warns Mercedes have 'huge' problem to solve

Former Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has warned Mercedes that they have a ‘huge’ problem to solve with their car, and he expects that they will have more struggles this weekend.

Formula 1 is back in Australia for the Australian Grand Prix this weekend and it’s great to see Albert Park coming back to life with the buzz of motorsport.

However, it could be a tough weekend for Mercedes with the issues on their car ongoing and Fittipaldi believes they have still a lot of work to do.

Speaking to Vegas Insider, the Brazilian explained:

“Mercedes engines are down. They suffered a lot of performance in the first two Grands Prix. We know all the Mercedes teams are having a difficult time.

“Lewis Hamilton had a great race in Bahrain where he got the podium. With that car, Lewis should not be on the podium.

“They are struggling. The speed on the stretch is much lower. When you have less power from the engine, you sacrifice the aerodynamics. And then it’s a compromise of handling, as well.

“Then you go into a vicious circle. You don’t have enough speed on the stretch, you take off some downforce, and then you lose on the corners and then it’s always a difficult compromise.

“And the one who has a lot of power can put more downforce and then you are still strong on the stretch and much stronger in braking, cornering, saving the tires.

“They (Mercedes) have a huge problem, in my opinion, to solve.

“The track in Melbourne, Australia is more smooth (than Jeddah). The cars are very sensitive to bumps now and it’s very difficult to get the suspension working over the bumps and not to lose the mechanical grip.”

What Mercedes can do this weekend remains to be seen, but the expectancy is that both Red Bull and Ferrari will once