P1racenews AI automatic summary:
After years of misery in Singapore, Mercedes finally overcame its aversion to the hot, humid conditions. But why?
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, recently explained the team’s breakthrough in dealing with the heat and humidity challenges in Singapore, which had been a persistent obstacle for them. Despite George Russell crashing in practice, he bounced back in the second qualifying session, securing pole position and claiming his fifth grand prix win uncontested. Kimi Antonelli also showed improved pace, but had to settle for fourth on the grid and fifth at the finish line. This marked Mercedes’ best performance at the Marina Bay Street Circuit since 2018, a stark contrast to their typical struggles in such conditions. Both Russell and team principal Toto Wolff were puzzled by the sudden improvement in car performance. Shovlin attributed the success to the team’s focused efforts in managing rear tire wear, especially on demanding tracks, and the continuous development work at the factory. He highlighted the challenges posed by the hot air and high traction levels in Singapore, suggesting a positive trend towards competitiveness on similar circuits in the future.
