P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes uncovers biggest clue on 2024 F1 struggles
Despite being easier to handle for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the Mercedes W15 has not met performance expectations, with the team failing to finish higher than fifth and falling 29 points behind McLaren after a double retirement in Australia. The car has shown struggles for performance on different circuits, with noticeable difficulties in high-speed corners and warmer conditions highlighted by Technical Director Allison. The team has observed a pattern where competitiveness drops in warmer track temperatures, leading to challenges in optimizing tyre performance. While some setup adjustments have been attempted, it remains unclear whether more drastic changes will be necessary to address the underlying issues affecting the W15’s performance. Moving forward, the team will need to carefully evaluate and potentially modify aerodynamic and suspension characteristics to improve competitiveness.
