Mercedes will bring updates to its car for the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as the team endeavours to “make gains” on runaway leaders McLaren.
The German marque has shown a consistent level of pace throughout the current campaign, with George Russell taking four podium finishes in six races.
But despite being second in the Constructors’ Championship, it is already 105 points adrift of McLaren, the Woking-based squad being the class of the field so far.
Ahead of the first race of the European season, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff spoke of his happiness that the W16 is a marked improvement on last year’s challenger.
However, he acknowledged there is work to be done.
“We head to Imola having completed one quarter of the season,” he said.
“From those first six races, we can draw the following conclusions: we have made progress from last year, with the W16 a more balanced car than its predecessor; we have scored some solid results, with four podiums in that run of races; and we have more work to do if we want to challenge for victories.”
Wolff stressed that Mercedes have all been putting in the hours to ensure progress is made, and confirmed that updates to the car will arrive over the upcoming races.
“Our focus is on making gains on that final point as we begin the European leg of the season,” he added.
“The team at Lauda Drive have been working hard to do that and we will be bringing several updates over the coming races.
“F1 is a relative game, though, and we know our competitors will make progress too. It will be interesting to see how that plays out on track.”
Mercedes has platform for future results
As Wolff pointed out, the W16 has shown a considerable improvement in its balance in comparison to the W15, which took four wins across an inconsistent 2024.
With Wolff conveying his pleasure that the current car has the scope to improve further, the team must surely be confident of taking victories as the season progresses.
Speculation continues to grow as to which teams will or won’t benefit from the introduction of more stringent regulations on the flexi front wings, which come into effect at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Russell has performed at an impressive level of consistency so far this year, taking all of the team’s podiums, and currently sitting fourth in the standings, just six points behind Max Verstappen.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is also growing further and further into the second seat, with 48 points in sixth place, one above the man he replaced, Lewis Hamilton.
The Italian’s Sprint pole position in Miami was a new milestone for him, a continuation of vindication in the faith Wolff placed in him by handing him the drive.
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