Mercedes F1 Sees Canadian GP Success as Stepping Stone to Further Improvement
In a remarkable turnaround, the Brackley-based Mercedes F1 team enjoyed a fruitful Canadian Grand Prix, with George Russell securing pole position and finishing third, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton in fourth. This positive result comes as a welcome respite for the team, which has struggled to find its footing in the current Formula 1 season.
The recently repaved track surface in Montreal provided a smooth platform for the team to fine-tune their car, a common theme at various tracks in the past two-and-a-half seasons. Technical Director James Allison revealed that the team has taken significant steps to broaden the operating potential of their machinery, with a raft of new parts in the pipeline to further improve performance.
“The changes we have made are making this car a better car, and that will be true at every circuit we go to,” Allison explained. “The characteristics of Montreal make it look a little quicker than we have a natural right to command at the coming races.”
However, Allison cautioned that the team’s competitiveness may vary depending on the track layout, with hot asphalt and wider cornering speeds posing a sterner test for the car. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to “bully” the car into shape with forthcoming upgrades.
One of the key issues with Mercedes’ cars under F1’s ground effect regulations has been their narrow operating window to achieve optimum performance. Allison believes that the team is making progress in addressing this issue, stating, “I think we have broadened it substantially. There is more we still need to do, and we will know for sure when we go to the next track, which is Barcelona.”
The introduction of a new front wing on the W15, featuring a more conventional design, played a significant role in the team’s upturn in form. Allison confirmed that the wing performed as expected, delivering more performance and making the car feel “easy to drive, well-balanced, and making the car the driver’s friend.”
As the team looks ahead to the next race in Barcelona, Allison’s optimism is palpable. With the Spanish Grand Prix being a more representative test of a car’s performance, it will be fascinating to see if Mercedes can maintain their upward trajectory and close the gap to the top of the Formula 1 standings.
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