Toto Wolff’s post-race commentary seems all too familiar now. After each Formula 1 race weekend, there’s a recurring theme: a moment of reflection, followed by disappointment and a tinge of frustration, as Mercedes’ latest upgrades fail to close the gap on Red Bull, Ferrari, and even McLaren.
In the last three races, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren — all powered by Mercedes engines — have each clinched victories. Meanwhile, Mercedes has been unable to secure a win since George Russell’s triumph at the Brazilian GP in 2022, a drought stretching back 569 days. The idea of Mercedes not winning seemed unthinkable when Lewis Hamilton secured his seventh victory in Canada back in 2019.
Heading into the Montreal race this weekend, there’s a palpable sense that Wolff’s familiar evaluations are losing their impact. In Imola, he confidently suggested that Mercedes had learned from past mistakes. However, the team’s habit of flipping between design concepts has prevented it from enjoying the consistent upward trajectory seen by its rivals.
Wolff is now convinced that Mercedes has hit upon a winning formula with updates aimed at improving car balance in both high and low-speed corners for the Canadian GP. Instead of seeking a ‘miracle update,’ Mercedes is focusing on steady, incremental progress. This strategy will be scrutinized closely in Montreal.
Wolff’s optimism is mirrored by Hamilton, who tested the updates in the team’s simulator prior to the Imola race. Highlighting the recent developments, Hamilton mentioned that George Russell, who finished fifth, had run the new front wing. Despite rumors suggesting some discord between the drivers, Hamilton noted, ‘I think from my team’s perspective, yes. I definitely think for some reason we’re a lot closer this weekend, it’s really great to see.’
Amidst previous false starts, there’s a sense that these updates could be a pivotal moment for Mercedes’ season. A successful performance in Canada could relieve the pressure on Wolff and his design team. Conversely, if the upgrades fail to deliver, it might be time for Mercedes to focus on getting it right for 2025.
The Canadian GP will serve as a critical test for Mercedes. Success could signify a turnaround for the team, while failure might necessitate a shift in focus to future seasons.
Source: Motorsport
