Mercedes backtracks on risky floor design ahead of Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Mercedes has made a significant decision regarding its controversial floor design for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team will not utilize the problematic floor that was first introduced at Spa, as they evaluate whether this component has contributed to their post-Belgium victory performance decline. This move comes as Mercedes seeks to understand the factors behind their recent struggles and gather crucial data for future development.

A Summer of Uncertainty

Mercedes entered the 2024 summer break on a high note, having secured three wins in four races, including a potential 1-2 finish at Spa. However, the Belgian victory, ultimately awarded to Lewis Hamilton, came after the team opted not to race its latest floor development due to issues detected during practice sessions. The subsequent races at Zandvoort and Monza saw Mercedes struggle to maintain their competitive edge, leading to questions about the effectiveness of their recent upgrades.

The Floor Conundrum

The team's efforts to conduct a back-to-back test of the new and old floor specifications were hampered by poor weather conditions at Zandvoort. At Monza, despite completing the assessment, Mercedes chose to fit the newer version for the race weekend. However, the results were underwhelming, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton failing to make significant impressions in both qualifying and race conditions.

A Strategic Decision for Baku

For the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mercedes has made the strategic choice to run without the Spa floor. This decision will allow the team to gather a full weekend's worth of data on how the car performs without this contentious component. It's important to note that other upgrades introduced at Spa, including modifications to the diffuser, beam wing, front wing, and halo, will remain in place.

Driver Perspectives

Lewis Hamilton expressed uncertainty about the root cause of Mercedes' recent performance dip, suggesting that it could be due to track-specific factors or the recent upgrade. The seven-time world champion admitted that his instinct points towards the upgrade as a potential issue. George Russell echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that while the upgrade wasn't expected to be revolutionary, reverting to the pre-Spa floor configuration might provide more consistent and predictable performance.

Looking Ahead

This weekend's race in Baku will be crucial for Mercedes as they seek to understand the impact of their recent developments. The data gathered will not only inform decisions about the current car but also influence the development direction for next year's challenger. As the team navigates these technical challenges, they remain focused on regaining their competitive edge in the fiercely contested Formula 1 championship.