---
title: "Hamilton: Mercedes could take four races to understand 2022 F1 car"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2022/03/15/hamilton-mercedes-could-take-four-races-to-understand-2022-f1-car/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2022-03-15T10:56:20Z"
modified: "2022-03-15T10:56:21Z"
---

# Hamilton: Mercedes could take four races to understand 2022 F1 car

Lewis Hamilton believes it could take Mercedes up to four races before it understands its 2022 Formula 1 car after a troublesome pre-season test in Bahrain.

Mercedes has been open about the struggles it has faced with the W13 in testing, with the car proving a handful, particularly with its ongoing porpoising issues.

While rival teams have played down Mercedes’ woes, Hamilton stressed the Brackley-based outfit is not in a position to fight for race wins.

Speaking at the EXPO 2020 event in Dubai, Hamilton reiterated his belief that Mercedes is going into the first race of the season on the back foot.

“The testing has been difficult,” Hamilton said. “When we go into this race we will still be learning about this car, we probably will be for the first four races at least.

“We’ve got some problems. Everyone is bouncing up and down.”

Hamilton is eyeing a record-breaking eighth world title this year, after missing out on the 2021 crown at the final round to Max Verstappen.

The seven-time world champion insists that while Mercedes is yet to get on top of its 2022 car, the team is relishing the challenge ahead of the new season.

“The test was tough, but the great thing is, right now after this I have a conference call with all the guys in Brixworth, talking about the engine, the driveability, about how we can get more power out for this week,” Hamilton explained.

“Then I have another conference call with all the engineers up in Brackley, just how we can push this car forward, how we can stop it from jumping, how we can extract all the performance from it.

“So everyone’s hyped, everyone’s excited. And these engineers, they love the challenge. So it’s good.”

Hamilton has already labelled Red Bull and Ferrari as the teams to beat ahead of the opening round this weekend, but has faith Mercedes can turn its form around.

“There were a lot of cars that were looking quite fast,” Hamilton said.

“The Alfa Romeo was looking fast, Valtteri \[Bottas\] was looking quick. Obviously the Red Bull looks ridiculously fast at the moment, and the Ferraris.

“But we are the best team. Undoubtedly.”