Mercedes F1 Team Grappling with Unpredictable Car Performance Post-Summer Break

Mercedes' Formula 1 performance since the summer break has been affected by their car being more "on the edge," according to team boss Toto Wolff. The German manufacturer had a strong run before the shutdown, with three victories in four races, but has struggled since returning to action in the Netherlands. The team's best result since then has been a fifth-place finish for Lewis Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix.

Car Characteristics and Balance Issues

While Mercedes doesn't fully understand the reasons behind their recent difficulties, they have noticed changes in their W15's characteristics. Wolff explained that while they can extract performance for a single lap, the car's balance isn't optimal for maintaining tire performance throughout a race. This issue has been particularly noticeable since the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

New Floor Design: A Possible Culprit?

One potential cause of Mercedes' recent struggles could be related to a new floor design introduced at the Belgian Grand Prix. Although initially abandoned due to doubts, the team continued to analyze it during subsequent race weekends. While the new floor does provide the expected additional downforce, Mercedes is unsure if it has contributed to the W15's less-than-ideal balance, making drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton less comfortable in the car.

Assessing the Situation

Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' head of trackside engineering, addressed the floor issue in the team's post-weekend video debrief. He confirmed that the new package is generating the expected downforce but acknowledged the need to investigate any subtle changes in handling characteristics that may not have been anticipated. Shovlin emphasized the difficulty in assessing the situation, as car performance varies from track to track.

Looking Ahead

Mercedes is now focused on analyzing the data collected over the past few races to better understand their car's performance issues. The team is also considering other updates to the car as they work to improve their results in the upcoming races. With a wealth of information at their disposal, Mercedes will be using the next few days to learn from their recent experiences and make necessary adjustments to regain their competitive edge in Formula 1.