Mercedes Reflects on Rollercoaster Season, Finds Performance Direction
Mercedes has made significant strides in performance as the F1 season concludes, finding a clear direction after a year of inconsistent results. A return to an older suspension setup has boosted Kimi Antonelli's form, contributing to the team's solid grip on second place in the Constructors' Championship, 32 points ahead of Ferrari. The team heads to Las Vegas with optimism, anticipating strong performance in the cold conditions, which favor their W16 car.
Mercedes appears to have finally found its stride as the Formula 1 season nears its conclusion, despite a year marked by inconsistent performance. The team's recent strong results, including a podium finish at the Brazil GP, signal a potential turning point.
Why it matters:
Mercedes' late-season surge has significantly strengthened its hold on second place in the Constructors' Championship, pulling away from rivals like Ferrari. This turnaround, after a period of performance struggles, offers a crucial psychological boost and valuable data for the upcoming 2026 regulations, demonstrating their ability to adapt and find solutions.
The Details:
- Constructor Standings: With three rounds remaining, Mercedes has solidified its runner-up position, now 32 points clear of Ferrari, whose recent double DNF in Brazil further aided Mercedes' lead.
- Suspension Return: Kimi Antonelli's strong performance, including a P2 in Brazil GP qualifying, is attributed to Mercedes' decision to revert to an older suspension setup. This setup had been discarded earlier in the season, contributing to the W16's performance 'limbo'.
- Circuit Performance Anomaly: Antonelli noted the car's unusual behavior this season: "At all the tracks where we were meant to be good this year, we weren’t so good, and on the tracks where we weren’t expected to be good, we were good." This 'unexpected' performance trend has been a defining characteristic of their year.
- Cold Weather Advantage: The W16 generally performs better in cooler conditions, a factor highlighted by Antonelli's competitiveness on circuits where he had no prior reference data, allowing for a more open mindset in setup.
- Singapore Success: George Russell's dominant win in Singapore earlier in the season demonstrated the team's progress with the car across various conditions, indicating a broader improvement beyond just cold weather circuits.
What's next:
Mercedes heads into the Las Vegas Grand Prix with genuine hopes for victory, building on their dominant win there last year. The uniquely cold conditions in Las Vegas are expected to favor the W16's characteristics.
- Optimism for Las Vegas: Antonelli stated, "In Vegas, with the cold temperatures, it should definitely help the car." The team aims to replicate last year's performance by applying similar strategies.
- Ongoing Development: While the 2023 season has been a learning curve, the recent performance gains provide crucial momentum and insights for the development of their future cars, particularly with the 2026 regulations on the horizon. The team's ability to diagnose and rectify performance issues late in the season bodes well for their long-term competitive aspirations.