Why Mercedes is suddenly an F1 frontrunner again

Summary

Mercedes' unexpected strong performance at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix marks a significant turnaround from a challenging start to the season. George Russell's pole position and podium finish, along with the team's improved competitiveness, suggest Mercedes is overcoming past weaknesses with new front wing and floor upgrades. Despite Lewis Hamilton's disappointing qualifying, the team's progress is promising, with rivals taking notice and anticipation growing for their potential return to form.

Takeaways

• 🏎️ Mercedes had a poor start to the 2024 season but achieved a significant turnaround with a podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.
• 🌧️ Rainy conditions in Canada played to Mercedes' advantage, disrupting practice sessions and affecting the usual pecking order.
• 💨 George Russell secured a shock pole position and finished third, showing Mercedes' improved competitiveness.
• 🚫 Ferrari was notably absent from the race, and Red Bull was not in its comfort zone, allowing Mercedes to capitalize.
• 🔧 Mercedes made visible changes to its car, including a new front wing design that contributed to better performance.
• 📉 Mercedes struggled with a narrow setup window and under-steer issues earlier in the season, which they've been addressing.
• 🔄 The new front wing design helped Mercedes run with enough load and low enough to improve front-end grip without causing instability.
• 🛠️ Mercedes also made unseen floor modifications and other aerodynamic adjustments to improve the car's overall performance.
• 📈 The team's progress is not just about the front wing; it's part of a series of upgrades that have led to better handling and grip.
• 👨‍💼 Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged Mercedes' improved understanding of the car after years of development challenges.
• 🔍 The upcoming race in Barcelona will be a crucial test to see if Mercedes can replicate its recent success on a more conventional circuit.

Q & A

How did Mercedes describe their start to the 2024 season?

Mercedes described their start to the 2024 season as 'really embarrassingly crap'.

What was Mercedes' first achievement of the season mentioned in the script?

Mercedes' first achievement of the season was securing a podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Who was the pole sitter and third place finisher for Mercedes at the Canadian Grand Prix?

George Russell was the pole sitter and third place finisher for Mercedes at the Canadian Grand Prix.

What factors contributed to Mercedes' improved performance in Canada?

Factors contributing to Mercedes' improved performance in Canada included intermittent rain disrupting practice sessions, Ferrari being out of the picture, and Red Bull not being in its comfort zone over the circuit's curbs.

How did Mercedes' front wing design evolve over the season?

Mercedes initially had a unique front wing design with a reduced width of the top flap and a gap inboard either side of the nose. However, they later adopted a more conventional design with a straighter bottom edge to improve front-end grip and widen the car's operating window.

What was the initial problem with Mercedes' car that they aimed to address?

The initial problem with Mercedes' car was a lack of rear-end stability at high speed, which they aimed to address by improving downforce on the rear.

How did Mercedes' understanding of the car evolve, leading to changes in the front wing design?

Mercedes realized that a more conventional front wing design was necessary to feed energized airflow to the front of the underfloor and to run the car low enough to produce maximum downforce without creating excessive downforce in one area.

What was the significance of the changes made to the floor of the Mercedes car?

The changes made to the floor of the Mercedes car, including modifications to the floor body and edges, were part of the essential changes to improve the car's performance, working in conjunction with the new front wing to provide a wider operating window and better grip.

How did the performance of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton differ in qualifying during the 2024 season?

George Russell outperformed Lewis Hamilton in qualifying, with a record of 8-1 in favor of Russell on Saturdays in 2024.

What was Lewis Hamilton's self-assessment of his performance at the Canadian Grand Prix?

Lewis Hamilton lamented his performance at the Canadian Grand Prix as one of his worst ever drives, indicating that he did not maximize the car's potential.

What does Mercedes need to do to ensure their improved performance is sustained?

Mercedes needs to repeat their performance on more conventional circuits and prove that their recent progress is rooted in more than just the unique conditions of certain races, such as the rain-affected Canadian Grand Prix.