Martin Brundle believes Mercedes will be frustrated with their unpredictable car and inconsistent season, admitting they are simply making the most of a "bad job".
Halfway through the year, the heavyweight constructor have been unable to mount a title charge in the drivers' championship and trail both Red Bull and Ferrari.
As a result, Lewis Hamilton has clinched just four podiums this campaign while his team-mate George Russell has finished in the top three only once.
In Belgium, Hamilton salvaged a mixed outing by stripping Max Verstappen of the fastest lap and took fourth, with Russell moving up from eighth to sixth.
Their stutters came despite them introducing a sizeable upgrade package for the W14, however, with Mercedes failing to take a notable step forward.
And Brundle says boss Toto Wolff and Co will not be content with their current situation, predicting they may simply have to "survive" the rest of the campaign.