P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes have explained what some of its key findings were over an ultimately disappointing Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
Eight-time constructors’ champions Mercedes have revealed findings from their test program aimed at improving their car’s predictability following the Japanese Grand Prix. Despite challenges with the new ground-effect regulations in F1, the team has only secured one win since the introduction of the 2022 rules. Mercedes shifted away from the radical ‘zeropod’ concept last year but is yet to replicate past successes of the turbo-hybrid era. In the current season, Mercedes has only scored 34 points in four races, narrowly ahead of Aston Martin in the constructors’ standings. The team faced difficulties in Japan, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh and ninth respectively, prompting a focus on making the car more consistent throughout race weekends. While acknowledging the team’s current position and necessary improvements, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director highlighted progress in achieving a more stable car behavior, indicating work will continue to enhance performance rapidly.
