Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, has issued a cautionary statement regarding the team’s upgrades for the remainder of the season, indicating that there will be no drastic improvements due to a significant portion of the budget cap being allocated to the development of a new front suspension.
Acknowledging early in the season that the current specification of their car may not be capable of winning races, Mercedes introduced a substantial upgrade package, almost resembling a B-spec car, at the Monaco Grand Prix. While the focus was primarily on the new sidepods, as Mercedes ditched their previous zero-pods in favor of a bulkier downwash concept, the team has downplayed the direct impact of these changes on their double podium finish in Spain. According to Mercedes, the upgrades are a package deal, with all components needing to work in harmony.
Among the upgrades implemented by Mercedes were a new floor and a revised front suspension. Shovlin emphasized that the revamped car has provided the team with greater flexibility and options in terms of setup.
The Trackside Engineering Director explained, “We are trying to manipulate the geometries to influence the aerodynamic platform and improve the car’s stability. The new geometry has given us more freedom because, in the past, we struggled to find a good balance between a responsive front end during cornering and stability on entry while braking and turning. This compromise was always a challenge to address. We often found ourselves with a weak rear on entry or a poor front on corner exit. With these new suspension components, we hope to move in the right direction.”
While Mercedes continues to push for improvements, Shovlin’s remarks suggest that fans should not anticipate any groundbreaking advancements for the remainder of the season. The team’s focus on optimizing the front suspension, combined with the need for overall cohesion within the car’s package, means that progress will likely be incremental rather than transformative.
