Mercedes encouraged by Imola upgrades but still ‘a step behind’

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

Mercedes F1 Team Principal and CEO, Toto Wolff states the team are encouraged by their Imola upgrades but is aware they remain ‘a step behind’ the top three.

Last time out in Imola, for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the Brackley-based Mercedes team brought the remainder of their upgrades, the first of which were shown at Miami. 

However, the team were not able to reap the benefits of their full upgrades as their rivals had also brought upgrades, as such the team cruised to a sixth and seventh-place finish at Imola.

Despite other teams improving, as the development race continues to unfold, Mercedes believe these upgrades to have produced ‘clear performance’ gains.

“The small step forward we took in Imola was encouraging. The team has worked incredibly hard to bring our recent updates to the track, and it was a clear performance gain,” said Wolff. “That being said, others have improved too. We are still a step behind the front three teams therefore, and there is plenty of work still to do.” 

“Nevertheless, we have a clear direction and developments in the pipeline. We have a more solid platform to build on now and we are confident that, in time, we can get ourselves into the pack ahead.”

Although it was said the team were not expecting immediate results with their upgrades, expecting it to take a few races to bear fruit, the team will be looking to continue on working on their car.

Monaco is the next venue on the calendar, set to get underway on Friday, May 24. It’s a circuit where Mercedes’ driver, Lewis Hamilton stands as the most successful driver on the current grid with three wins to his name. 

The Monegasque circuit stands as one of the hardest circuits to overtake, Mercedes will be looking to ‘execute’ a clean weekend as Wolff expects it will be ‘hard to predict expected performance.’

“It is a unique circuit and a fantastic challenge for the team and drivers. It is always hard to predict expected performance, but we will look to execute a clean weekend and maximise the car we have. 

“It is always a special weekend, and we look forward to putting on a good show for the fans, and our partners and guests across our extensive hospitality programme in Monte Carlo.”

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Monaco GP – Weather: Thunder, Rain and Sun
• McLaren reveal Ayrton Senna-inspired livery ahead of Monaco GP
• Norris ‘praying for one more lap’ after second-place finish at Emilia-Romagna GP
• Verstappen secures F1 Emilia-Romagna GP win despite Norris pressure
• Piastri slapped with three-place grid drop for F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
• Verstappen claims seventh pole position ahead of Emilia-Romagna GP

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.