Mercedes is not expecting to be at the front during the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, according to the team’s technical director James Allison. Despite their strong showing in Canada, where George Russell claimed a podium finish and Lewis Hamilton came in fourth, Allison believes the upcoming race in Barcelona may not be as favorable for the team.
The Silver Arrows have been making significant progress with upgrades to their W15 car, but Allison acknowledges that the characteristics of the Barcelona track and conditions might not play to their advantage. He mentioned that the upcoming tracks will provide a tougher test for the car, with hot asphalt and wider cornering speeds.
Although Allison is cautious about Mercedes’ chances in Spain, he remains optimistic about the team’s ability to close the gap to their rivals. He emphasized the continuous efforts to improve the car and keep the upgrades coming at a pace that others cannot match.
Mercedes introduced a new front wing at the Monaco race before Canada, and despite initially having only one available version of the part, it proved to be a success. The unique nature of the street circuit in Monaco made it challenging to fully assess the impact of the upgrade, but in Canada, both Russell and Hamilton were able to run it, showing promising results.
Allison expressed satisfaction with the performance of the new front wing, stating that it made the car feel easy to drive and well-balanced, which had been a challenge for the team earlier in the season. He highlighted the importance of the upgrades in improving the overall performance of the car.
Team principal Toto Wolff shared similar sentiments, acknowledging the incremental gains Mercedes has made in recent races. He emphasized the need to keep working hard to consistently compete for podium finishes and race wins. Wolff sees the Barcelona race as a good test of the team’s progress, given the diverse nature of the track and the challenges it presents.
As Formula 1 heads back to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes is preparing for a competitive weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With a mix of fast, medium, and low-speed corners, the track will provide a good opportunity to evaluate the team’s progress and build on the positive momentum from Canada. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1 and stream every F1 race with a NOW Sports Month Membership.