Mercedes has dedicated to working its new ground for the rest of Components 1’s Dutch Grand Prix weekend, having been not sure about its potential when first launched in Belgium.
As a part of its improve programme that has helped flip the W15 right into a race winner, Mercedes first tried out the brand new ground at Spa-Francorchamps earlier than the summer season break.
Nevertheless, after a troubled Friday the place the group was left baffled by poor dealing with and a scarcity of straightline velocity, the ground was taken off because the squad reverted to the earlier well-understood specification.
That transfer was extra about being cautious although, with the group assured from the info being delivered from its manufacturing unit that the brand new design was an enchancment even when its potential had not been unleashed instantly.
To verify its findings, Mercedes break up the specification of its automobiles in first observe at Zandvoort – with George Russell working the brand new ground and Lewis Hamilton sticking with the outdated one.
However with the group pleased with the preliminary really feel, and Hamilton working it with out issues in FP2 as Russell took P1 within the standings, the group has seen sufficient to make sure the brand new ground is the fitting method to go.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin mentioned that the changeable climate situations skilled on Friday morning weren’t supreme for establishing a totally clear image of how the ground was performing, however there was sufficient proof from the day to make sure that sticking with it was greatest.
“At present was an encouraging begin to the weekend,” mentioned Shovlin. “The situations in FP1 had been significantly difficult with very sturdy winds and heavy rain making it troublesome to get a very good learn on the up to date ground we dropped at Spa.
“Nonetheless, what we noticed appears in step with expectations, so we’ll proceed the weekend with that fitted to each automobiles.”
Mercedes is bracing itself for a tricky combat with closest rivals McLaren and Crimson Bull this weekend, with the gaps between them wanting tight.
Russell mentioned: “It was troublesome on the market as a result of windy situations. It’s maybe the windiest situations I can keep in mind driving an F1 automobile in over the previous few years. Nonetheless, the automobile was performing very well and the up to date ground we dropped at Spa gave the impression to be working successfully.
“The pack on the entrance appears to be fairly shut as soon as once more. We count on to be going through one other fascinating battle throughout the remainder of the weekend for the rostrum spots.”