Since the first seasonal releases, there has been nothing but talk of problems associated with the Mercedes W15. The instability of the rear axle, which seemed resolved, returned in some cases. The team suffered engine overheating problems in Bahrain, alongside correlation issues and a failure to unlock aerodynamic load.
These topics have overshadowed technical innovations such as the new front wing. This was also part of the W15’s problems, which combined to delay the original development program as James Allison‘s technical team had to focus on resolving these issues first. Toto Wolff spoke about how difficult it is to find a stable platform on which to operate development, but now that the path taken seems right, the time has come to increase performance.
IN MIAMI AND IMOLA A FIRST PERFORMANCE STEP OF A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED TOWARDS SILVERSTONE
Of the five top teams, 4 have already introduced rather complex packages. Two – McLaren and Ferrari – brought substantial innovations which also radically modified the launch versions of the MCL38 and SF-24. The Red Bull RB20, on the other hand, benefited from two different packages that made their debut at Suzuka and Imola, while Aston Martin brought substantial innovations to Japanese soil and to the Enzo e Dino Ferrari, although it now appears to be in a bit more difficulty.
Mercedes has lagged behind on this program, busy understanding the characteristics of the W15 and the evils that have limited its performance up to this point.
“The small step forward made in Imola was encouraging. We are still one step behind the top three teams, and there is still a lot of work to do. However, we have a clear direction and developments in the pipeline.
“We are now having clear indications on the path to follow for development,” said Toto Wolff recently, confident that his team is finally understanding how and where to act to progress.
The first updates that James Allison had defined as useful for “improving the balance of the W15 by modifying it” made their debut between Miami and Imola. Updates, therefore, are not aimed at a direct increase in performance but to improve the basis of the single-seater.
After the Imola race, Toto Wolff revealed that the updates brought to the track by Mercedes were worth around 1 tenth/1 and a half tenths.
Brackley’s engineers are confident they have understood some of their more fundamental issues. However, as Lewis Hamilton mentioned in Imola, the team’s improvements are not necessarily obvious.
“What we are seeing are progressive improvements, not a miracle update, which will help us bring the car into a better balance window, which will consequently increase performance,” said the Mercedes team principal.
After these innovations, the development program will continue. Constant upgrades are planned from now until Silverstone. Innovations are also expected for Monte Carlo. The aim is to improve the W15’s balance and performance.
“The base of the W15 is more conventional. In order to give our aerodynamicists more freedom in development. It’s conventional in the chassis.
“But also in the way we want to achieve downforce and aerodynamic efficiency,” explained Toto.
MERCEDES NEVER THOUGHT OF HIRING NEWEY BUT IS ACTIVE ON THE ENGINEERING MARKET, WITH TWO EX-FERRARI REINFORCEMENTS SINCE OCTOBER
The current battle between Mercedes and Red Bull fight is not about supremacy on the track. There is a large gap in terms of performance. As mentioned, Mercedes needs time to introduce new parts that will solve some of the problems.
The two team principals, however, continue to provoke each other, especially on the topic of Max Verstappen. Recently, responding piqued to the Austrian’s various statements about his driver, Horner advised him to concentrate on his own team and on the engineers he is losing, alluding to more than 200 people leaving Brackley.
“We have some problems with the mathematics,” Toto Wolff replied in the press conference
“It’s the normal turnover that occurs between the teams every year, with people leaving and others coming.”
The Austrian boasted that his team’s engine department is still at the highest level, and he considers himself satisfied with the organization and the people who work for him.
“Since 2014, we have always been the reference for engines, perhaps together with another team, but that hasn’t changed. I can’t wait for 2026 to see the value of the new Power Units.”
Although the engine department satisfies Toto Wolff, there is room to improve at an aerodynamic level.
Jerome D’Ambrosio is not a loss on a technical level, but Loic Serra is. Both are heading to Ferrari. Excluding Newey’s possible arrival, never a target sought by Toto Wolff, two figures are arriving from Maranello.
The first is the former Alfa Romeo and Haas DT, Simone Resta, who was not part of the plans of the organization of Frederic Vasseur and Enrico Cardile. The second is instead one of the most expert reference figures in the simulation department, Enrico Sampò, a significant acquisition for Brackley given the recent problems in this area.
As with Serra and D’Ambrosio, they are on gardening leave. They will begin their activity at Mercedes on October 1st.
