P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes has focused a considerable amount of its cost cap budget for this season on two major developments
Mercedes technical director James Allison confirmed the team’s need to prioritize due to the cost cap, impacting their development of the new W15. Despite facing challenges, they decided to focus on specific areas of the car to optimize resources while ensuring funds for updates throughout the season. The cost cap compelled Mercedes to strategically choose between various projects, resulting in significant changes to the chassis and gearbox for the W15 model. Allison mentioned that although some elements of the car were not completely revamped, the team managed to undertake crucial projects without overspending. Plans for the radical redesign of the car were established midway through the previous season, with Mercedes realizing the necessity of adjustments following initial races. The team’s approach involved making fundamental layout changes during the off-season, ensuring careful planning and testing to guarantee performance improvements for the W15’s development.
