Mercedes has announced plans to introduce further upgrades at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, as the team aims to capitalise on their recent progress.
Team principal, Toto Wolff acknowledged that while the improvements have not yet translated into higher finishing positions, he is confident that consistent development will yield results in the near future.
Wolff emphasised the importance of maintaining their current development pace, especially given the increasingly competitive field at the front of the grid.
So far in the 2024 season, Mercedes’ best result in a Grand Prix is fifth place. However, the team found encouragement in the performance of a new front wing introduced on George Russell’s car at the recent Monaco Grand Prix.
In that race, Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished fifth and seventh respectively, sandwiching Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
In the team’s post-Monaco debrief video, trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin expressed optimism about their potential in Montreal.
“We are certainly hoping to build on the momentum that we have had recently, closing that gap to the front,” Shovlin said. “We have some smaller updates, including the new front wing on both cars, which we’ve been working on to ensure we can deliver.”
Shovlin went on to speak about the challenges of evaluating upgrades in Monaco’s unique racing environment.
“There is a reason teams do not normally bring update kits to Monaco,” he explained. “The circuit’s low-speed nature, combined with its busy, short straights, makes it difficult to evaluate new components.
“However, all the data we have indicates that the new front wing was delivering performance benefits and improving the car’s handling.”
George Russell’s positive feedback on the new front wing further boosted the team’s confidence. “George was happy with it and felt it was a step in the right direction,” Shovlin said.
“We are pleased with the initial results and look forward to learning more in Montreal and particularly at a track like Barcelona, which offers a wider range of corner speeds for a more thorough assessment.”
In Mercedes’ Montreal preview, Wolff reiterated the team’s commitment to continuous improvement. “We continue to make solid progress with our car, improving its overall balance and taking a step closer to those ahead,” he stated.
“Both drivers will have the new front wing, and we will introduce other development items for this event. The front wing showed a small lap-time gain in Monaco and should offer greater benefits on upcoming circuits.”
Wolff also acknowledged the intense competition at the front of the field. “The front of the field is incredibly competitive and has compressed. We are under no illusions that others will continue to improve,” he said. “We have to keep working hard to get ourselves into the mix.”
As Mercedes heads into the Canadian Grand Prix, the team is focused on leveraging its recent upgrades to close the gap to their rivals and enhance their performance in the remaining races of the season.
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