This included a series of changes at the British Grand Prix which helped Lewis Hamilton challenge Ferrari for the race win before eventually settling for third place. Knowing full well that even more lap time is needed to become a regular threat for wins, the team is expected to present a fairly extensive upgrade for this weekend’s race at Paul Ricard. Team boss Toto Wolff said a recent string of podiums showed the team was heading in the right direction, but said more was still needed. “We got three podiums in the first seven races and now we’ve got four in the last four,” he said. “I am delighted with the momentum we are building and it reflects the team’s mammoth effort. Our understanding of W13 grows with each round and it is encouraging to see this reflected in our progress and results. “While we were faster in Austria, we weren’t fast enough to challenge at the front. We have to keep chasing those last few tenths and bring new developments to the cars, including this weekend in France.” While the full extent of Mercedes’ developments will likely remain under wraps until Friday morning, the Brackley-based team looks set to run with an all-new nose design. Mercedes W13 front wing Photo: Giorgio Piola The design features a different profile from the previous flatter version (new nose top above) and appears more refined in the taper as it merges with the rest of the nose structure. Mercedes is chasing improved straight-line speed performance with its W13, and it could be that the new nose shape is an attempt to reduce drag. Read also: The new design also features a different approach to the driver cooling vents at the front end – although this could be caused by the high temperatures expected in France this weekend. This weekend’s French Grand Prix is seen as one of Mercedes’ best chances to win a race this season, with the smooth track surface and high track speed perfectly suited to the 2022 challenger’s attributes. Mercedes W13 nose comparison Photo by: Uncredited
