The Mercedes team has been facing challenges since the summer break, struggling to regain their form after a brief period of dominance before the break. They continue to grapple with unresolved technical issues, particularly concerning the car’s balance and floor. Consequently, the team has found it difficult to produce strong performances on the track.
This trend continued at the Singapore Grand Prix, where both Mercedes drivers experienced mixed performances. George Russell managed to fend off a challenge from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to secure fourth place, while Lewis Hamilton finished sixth. The humid conditions of the Marina Bay circuit, coupled with a miscalculated strategy from the team, prevented Hamilton from achieving a higher position. However, the Mercedes team might improve in the upcoming races as James Allison revealed an imminent upgrade package for Austin.
Mercedes To Use A “Fairly Substantial” Upgrade Package In Austin
Mercedes entered the summer break on a high note, having secured three victories in four races. However, the team has faced challenges since the restart, managing only one podium finish—George Russell’s P3—in the subsequent four races. With a considerable gap until the next race and no mandated factory shutdown, technical director James Allison announced that the final upgrades of the season would be introduced at the Circuit of the Americas.
In the team’s post-Singapore debrief, Allison outlined the plans for this interim period. He emphasized the need to address the issues that plagued their performance in Singapore, particularly concerning tyre management on circuits prone to overheating. The team focuses on optimizing tire performance while also preparing for the rollout of significant upgrades.
Moreover, the Brit expressed optimism about the upcoming race in Austin, noting that they have a substantial set of new components designed to enhance the car’s performance. The goal is to ensure that these upgrades are effectively implemented and that the team is well-prepared for the season’s final races. In Singapore, Russell successfully defended his position against Charles Leclerc to finish fourth, while Hamilton ended the race in sixth place after an early pit stop on soft tires.
How Mercedes’ “Anomaly” Averted Potential Disaster
The Mercedes technical director also commended the team at Brackley for their efforts over the weekend, particularly considering the early signs from free practice that indicated a challenging race ahead for Mercedes. He noted that Sunday’s results were tough for the team and reflected some of the difficulties hinted at during Friday’s practice sessions.
Further, the British engineer pointed out that Saturday was an exception, as the team managed to secure a commendable grid position despite Friday’s struggles. He attributed this turnaround to the hard work of the factory team, which played a crucial role in enhancing the car’s performance, allowing it to qualify better than initially anticipated.
While the race result was disappointing it was not catastrophic, thanks to the improvements made. However, Allison acknowledged that the changes made for qualifying improved the car’s performance for a single lap but resulted in challenges during long runs, which made the race more difficult than expected.