P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes battling “fundamental” issue with new W15 F1 design
The German manufacturer in Formula 1 had high hopes for a design revamp this year to catch up with Red Bull, but drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton faced challenges in the first two races, revealing weaknesses in the car’s high-speed corner performance. Team principal Toto Wolff expressed confusion as the real-world performance did not align with the data, particularly in high-speed corners where they were losing lap time despite compensating for a smaller rear wing. The underlying issue was believed to be intrinsic to the car’s design, extending beyond mere setup adjustments, posing a significant hurdle despite the team’s simulations and adjustments. Despite these setbacks, Wolff remained optimistic, emphasizing the team’s determination to identify and rectify the performance gap, with a firm commitment to overcoming these challenges and returning stronger in the upcoming races.
