Hakkinen: Mercedes seems to have no answer

Already the Bulls enjoy a 44 points lead in the F1 constructors' championship, while Max Verstappen tops the driver's standings by 32 points with the Black Arrows and Lewis Hamilton trailing in the respective championships.

Austria was particularly hard to stomach for the World Champs, where Verstappen was untouchable taking two victories, seven days apart at Red Bull Ring, at his team's home race.

In the wake of Max Verstappen's dominant win and Mercedes'latest defeat at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, Hakkinen wrote in his Unibet column: "While Mercedes is focusing on the development of their 2022 car, the decision by Red Bull and Honda to put everything into this year’s programme has given them a really big step forward in performance.

"At the moment Mercedes seems to have no answer to this. Podium finishes just aren't good enough for the likes of Hamilton, and time is running out...

"Red Bull Racing has won the last five Grands Prix, a really fantastic performance and the kind of competition Mercedes has not experienced since 2013. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the teams have carried over their cars to this year, specifically the chassis, so many people expected Mercedes would dominate again.

"What we have seen is that Red Bull and Honda have put everything into this season. A new engine and an aerodynamic package which takes advantage of the change in aerodynamic regulations introduced this year. That change has suited Red Bull’s design philosophy and worked against Mercedes.

"In Austria, both Lewis and teammate Valtteri Bottas said that the Red Bulls were two-tenths of a second quicker per lap and noticeably faster on the straights, a really significant advantage on such a short circuit. In the race Max was able to open up an early lead and control all the strategy options from the front," explained Hakkinen.

The 52-year-old Finn won 20 Grand Prix races during his career with McLaren in the top flight, recalled days like Verstappen had last Sunday: "I used to love that kind of race because, while it is fun to race wheel-to-wheel, being in control and knowing that you have a fantastic car under you is such a nice feeling.

"Max seems to be really enjoying it!" added Hakkinen.