Mercedes is making headlines as their W15 car is not only meeting but exceeding performance expectations in the ongoing F1 2024 season, a surprise turnaround for the team that had braced for a challenging year after a winless 2023.
Mercedes, under the technical leadership of James Allison, embarked on a new development journey this season. Andrew Shovlin highlighted that the team only anticipated competing for wins and pole positions towards the latter part of the season. Yet, the W15’s impressive showing, notably since introducing a new front wing at the Monaco Grand Prix, marks a significant improvement.
Following a tough start, Mercedes swiftly established itself as a consistent leader in the races, with drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell clinching three victories in the last four events. The car has also secured two pole positions, with Russell emerging as the fastest qualifier in Canada and Britain. Shovlin praised the team’s brilliant adaptation to early season challenges during Mercedes’ post-race Debrief after the Belgian Grand Prix.
Shovlin expressed optimism as the team currently enjoys racing and the upsurge in performance momentum. “The main thing is the progress. Where we were in the early races in Bahrain and in Jeddah, it was difficult to look at the car and understand what it was you had to do to make it quick,” he shared.
Mercedes faced a setback last weekend at Spa with Russell being disqualified for the car being underweight, yet Hamilton clinched a record-extending 105th career win. Such triumphs offer a stark contrast to the gloom of the previous year, showcasing Mercedes’ remarkable rebound.
The team’s strategy to revert to the Silverstone setup at Spa proved beneficial, leading to hopes of reintroducing this effective formula when F1 resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix. The insights gained post-Spa have built confidence in closing the gap to competitors like Red Bull and McLaren.
As Mercedes continues to build on this resurgence, the team is eager to maintain its competitive edge and celebrate more victories in the remainder of the season, setting a promising foundation for the future while leaving past struggles behind.
