Over the last eighteen months, Mercedes have struggled to understand ground-effect F1 cars. Mercedes spent most of last year trying to correct their development mistakes, with James Allison tasked with addressing their wayward trajectory. After a tricky start to 2024, the team’s progress is clear – and more upgrades are set to arrive on the W15.
How Mercedes corrected early mistakes
Perhaps the most pivotal area for Mercedes to resolve has been simulator correlation. As Toto Wolff bemoaned several times last year, the downforce shown in the wind tunnel often failed to translate on track. This made it almost impossible for the Silver Arrows to have any certainty about their trajectory.
At the beginning of this season, it seemed a similar story was unfolding. Changes in conditions, such as track temperatures or wind intensity, could quickly throw the W15 out of its operating window.
That said, the German constructor introduced a crucial intervention in Monaco. A new front wing (initially fitted to George Russell’s car) helped to create a more stable aerodynamic balance. After spending the start of 2024 mixing and matching different specifications, it was after this round that James Allison understood which configurations to use.
Crucial upgrades for W15 in the pipeline
Thanks to these earlier upgrade packages, the Brackley-based team can be credited with a front-running car. However, perhaps the most encouraging thing for Toto Wolff and his personnel is that reinforcements are on the way.
Of course, Mercedes are not the only team with more updates planned. Every team across the paddock will have improvements ready for the second half of the season.
That said, the Silver Arrows have not introduced any major updates in recent events. Unlike Red Bull or Ferrari, the German constructor kept its powder dry in the races between Spain and Britain.
One of the main reasons for this was because, as outlined previously, Mercedes only started correcting their 2024 trajectory in Monaco. Therefore, James Allison’s technical team wanted to spend some time collecting data before making any changes.
With two consecutive race weekends under the team’s belt, the factory in Brackley is confident about its improvements. These upgrades are set to arrive at the next rounds in Hungary and Belgium – just before the summer break.
Based on the comments made by James Allison in early June, Mercedes are confident about these components. The consensus across the paddock is that Lewis Hamilton and George Hamilton will have more opportunities to win.
It is important to remember that because last year was essentially a write-off, the W15 is still a relatively new concept. Unlike Red Bull, for example, the German constructor is in the relatively early stages of developing their concept.
As a result, Toto Wolff’s team hopes to make considerable strides and cement themselves as contenders for regular wins.
