The Mercedes Formula 1 team explained what it hopes to achieve in the second half of the 2023 season.
The Brackley-based squad began the campaign on the back foot and just like 2022, has been unable to fight for wins in the first half of the year.
Although it has scored a handful of podiums so far this season, Mercedes is still competing off the pace of front-runners Red Bull, who has dominated the opening 12 grands prix.
However, Mercedes’ consistent point-scoring results, along with occasional podiums, see it sit second in the Constructors’ Championship, 51 points ahead of Aston Martin.
When F1 returns from the summer break at the end of the month, Chief Technical Officer Mike Elliott says Mercedes’ goal is to keep hold of the runners-up spot.
“We are forced to take a two-week break with no development of the cars and I think for most of the factory that is going to be a well-needed break,” he said.
“Something that actually helps them in the second half of the season when we need to bring all of that energy, bring all the upgrades we possibly can to the car.
“In terms of what we can expect from the second half of the season we need to keep pushing, we need to keep pushing.
“We want to learn more about this car so we can take that into the winter and into the development of next year’s car.
“But also we want that fight for second in the championship so we will keep bringing some upgrades to the car, keep fighting for that second position.”
Mercedes has not scored a podium at the last two rounds, with its most recent top-three finish coming at Silverstone courtesy of Lewis Hamilton.
The seven-time World Champion currently sits fourth in the Drivers’ standings, one point behind former team-mate Fernando Alonso.
