In 2024, Mercedes is still waiting to achieve a Grand Prix podium finish.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed the team are bringing more upgrades to the W15 at Imola this weekend, after their first updates in Miami last time out.
Mercedes have largely not matched up to Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren so far this season, but Wolff has said the team now have a “clear understanding” of where they need to improve – though acknowledged it will take time for this work to “bear fruit”.
Mercedes to bring more W15 upgrades with ‘clear path forward’ for development set
With 18 rounds remaining in 2024, Mercedes has yet to secure a place on the podium. However, they still have ample opportunity to make the most of the year and close the gap on their competitors.
Traditionally, the start of the ‘European season’ at Imola marked the introduction of upgrades to cars. However, this year, new parts have been introduced across the grid early in the season.
In Miami, Mercedes introduced initial improvements to the W15, with further enhancements slated for Imola, as confirmed by Wolff. However, the complete impact of these planned updates will only become evident in the forthcoming rounds.
“According to Wolff, we have reached the 25% mark of the season, and although the first six races have been challenging, we have gained valuable insights on areas that require improvement. With a well-defined plan in place, we are prepared to address these issues and move forward.”
“It will take several races before we witness the fruition of these efforts, yet everyone is diligently working to expedite their realization.”
For now, our focus is on maximizing the potential of our current package. We have planned to introduce additional updates at Imola, with the hope that they will propel us towards our desired direction.
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After two consecutive Sprints, the race weekend will go back to its usual format. This will provide Mercedes with the opportunity to fine-tune the W15 even further compared to the previous two rounds. They will have three hours of practice time during this weekend to make necessary adjustments.
However, Wolff cautioned that even so, mastering the iconic track remains a formidable challenge.
“He further mentioned that, following two consecutive Sprints, we will now revert to the usual weekend format. This will provide us with additional time to fine-tune the set-up. However, it’s important to note that Imola remains a demanding circuit that puts both the car and the driver to the test.”
The track consists of multiple fast and smooth sections, as well as some slow corners and a challenging, uneven surface. Its narrowness poses a challenge for overtaking, and it also features significant elevation changes. These factors come together to create a demanding test that we are eagerly anticipating.
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