Last weekend in Montreal, Mercedes showed its competitive edge with George Russell securing pole position and finishing third. Despite this strong performance, the team believes the result could have been even better.
Mercedes has revealed that a new front wing introduced in Montreal has significantly improved the balance of their car, hinting that the team is beginning to understand the nuances of the current ground effect machinery. This improvement is just the beginning, as the team is preparing to introduce a new floor at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix to further enhance performance.
Team principal Toto Wolff expressed optimism, stating that since Imola, the team has made strides in car development, with recent upgrades consistently adding performance. ‘I think definitely, since Imola, we’ve taken the right steps and put parts on the car that are working, something that we were struggling with in the past couple of years,’ Wolff said. ‘Now directionally we seem to be adding performance every weekend and we have new stuff coming also, new parts coming in Barcelona that should help us. So I would very much hope that we can continue this positive trajectory.’
Wolff downplayed the focus on the new front wing, explaining that the true performance enhancements come from a combination of many changes and a better understanding of the car’s flow structures. ‘Sometimes when you bring a highly-visible part like a bodywork or front wing, this is pretty much the talk of what has changed the performance,’ he explained. ‘But the truth is we have, over the last three races, brought so many new parts, visible and invisible for the eye, that have contributed milliseconds to more performance.’
The Canadian Grand Prix demonstrated Mercedes’ potential, with Russell showing pace comparable to Red Bull and McLaren. Though mistakes hindered the final result, finishing third and fourth marked significant progress for the team. Both drivers felt there was missed potential, highlighting how much the team has improved.
‘I think when you finish third and fourth where we have been coming from, then it’s a positive race,’ Wolff commented. ‘Three and four is much better than we had previously in the last few races. So that’s good. But I think both drivers saw that there was more because we could have maybe gained a position or two, and that’s why there is a kind of negative sentiment that prevails. But if you would have given them third and fourth before the weekend, probably, they would have taken it.’
Looking ahead, Wolff acknowledged the team briefly entertained the idea of a win during the race, but acknowledged it was unlikely. ‘Maybe for a few minutes, we dreamt about it, but in reality, probably not.’ Mercedes fans can look forward to the Spanish Grand Prix to see if the new floor will further bolster the team’s upward trajectory.
Mercedes’ recent modifications, including a transformative front wing and the upcoming floor upgrade, showcase the team’s methodical approach to reclaiming their dominance. As they prepare for the Spanish Grand Prix, expectations are high to continue this positive trend.
Source: Motorsport
