Mercedes’ joy from winning the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix faded in Austria as George Russell finished fifth, over a minute behind the leading McLarens, missing the targeted podium position.
The W16 faced its toughest weekend of the year in Austria, struggling with overheating issues that had plagued it in previous hot races like Jeddah and Imola.
A forgettable race in Austria was compounded by Ferrari finishing ahead as the ‘best of the rest’, showcasing Mercedes’ difficulties.
Russell finished with a narrow margin over midfield teams, highlighting the team’s tire overheating struggles.
Mercedes has been working for months to address the issue, with no major breakthroughs yet.
The victory in Canada wasn’t a fluke, but rather a product of the track’s characteristics mitigating thermal stress on the tires.
The unique layout of the Red Bull Ring posed challenges for Mercedes, particularly in fast corners where overheating became a significant issue.
The team performed well on straights and hard braking areas but struggled in high-speed corners, leading to a disappointing performance in Austria.
