The Mercedes team might hit a blockade on its way to a third consecutive victory. The team is looking to replicate the performance from Austria and Silverstone. However, the Hungary GP awaits a stern test for the newly metamorphosed W15. The car, burdened with a lack of aerodynamics, finally appears competitive. Moreover, it was one of the fastest cars in the cold conditions of Silverstone.
However, in Hungary, the temperature might shoot up to 30 degrees. Thus, the track’s temperature will touch the 50s, making tyre management a headache for the crew. The W15 wasn’t designed for the higher temperature range, so it might lag behind. However, Andrew Shovlin has explained the entire situation ahead of the weekend.
Mercedes To Face Triple-Threat As High Temperature Could Jeopardize Its Victory Lap
Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Andrew Shovlin discussed Mercedes’ approach following their recent success at Silverstone. He emphasized that they are not complacent about their victory and are wary of maintaining their performance. The Silver Arrow’s engineer pointed out that the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix will be a critical test of Mercedes’ ability to improve their long-run performance in hot conditions. Reflecting on previous races in Barcelona and Austria, he admitted that Mercedes struggled to match the pace of competitors like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen over long distances.
Despite hoping for progress, Shovlin was cautious about significantly closing the gap, considering their rivals’ substantial lead in previous races. However, he acknowledged that Mercedes surprised themselves with their performance at Silverstone, particularly in the dry conditions where they managed to break away unexpectedly. Looking ahead to Hungary, Shovlin highlighted the unique challenges of the track and their strategy to prepare accordingly. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of thorough preparation to ensure they start with the best setup possible and adapt it effectively throughout the race weekend.
Mercedes Ready With Upgrades To Tackle Hungary GP Challenge
The Mercedes Front Wing configuration has been making headlines for a long time, and for good reason. When it first appeared in Monaco, only George Russell could use it. After examining the situation, Mercedes installed front wings on both vehicles.
Since then, the team has ascended to the podium and won consecutive races. However, James Allison said this was only part of fully utilizing the front wings. The Silver Arrows’ technical director stated that the altered configuration will be more visible during the Hungarian Grand Prix.