Mercedes may have finally achieved what it has been desperately pursuing since the start of the new Formula 1 ground effect era two years ago, based on the testing conducted in Bahrain.
Over the past two years, the team has gone from being a contender for the 2021 title to fighting to be the best among a distant group of teams trailing behind Red Bull. During this time, they have only managed to secure one grand prix victory.
At this time last year, Mercedes realized that sticking with their 2022 concept for 2023 was a mistake. They spent the last 12 months reversing their direction and adopting a new concept.
The W15 is the result of this new direction, and the initial feedback has been positive after three days of testing. However, it is unlikely to outperform Red Bull at this stage.
According to Mercedes’ trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin, “We’ve made significant progress in understanding the W15 compared to last year’s car. The drivers’ feedback is very different and more positive, which is encouraging. We have addressed the handling issues that plagued the W14, and it’s great that we have overcome many of those problems. Throughout the test, we have gained a better understanding of the car. Our focus now is to analyze the results and prepare the best package for the upcoming race weekend. It’s difficult to predict our pace based on testing, as teams are adept at hiding their true performance. However, it is clear that we are in a much better position than we were 12 months ago.”
The lap times achieved by Mercedes during testing were not particularly impressive. George Russell’s best time was half a tenth slower than Charles Leclerc’s benchmark on the third day of testing, and four tenths behind Carlos Sainz’s fastest lap of the entire test. The general consensus in the paddock suggests that Mercedes has taken a small step back compared to last year, potentially placing them as the third-fastest team for now. The on-track performance has been inconsistent, with some runs causing more trouble than others.
Despite these factors, Mercedes’ assessment of their pre-season test is the most positive they have had in this rules era. It indicates that the team may finally be making progress after two years of challenges. However, it is important to note that Mercedes acknowledges the need for further improvements, which is expected considering the major car design overhaul.
In the past, Mercedes has struggled with certain characteristics that made their car difficult to handle. Therefore, it is encouraging to hear Shovlin state that the W15 has overcome many of these issues. Both Shovlin and Russell believe that the team is in a much better position compared to 12 months ago, and Lewis Hamilton also had positive remarks about the test, describing it as “really good” and “massively encouraging.” However, Hamilton also acknowledged that there is still work to be done and they have not yet reached their desired level.
The reason for the positive review from Mercedes is not solely based on pure performance or their position in the pecking order. It is primarily about establishing a solid foundation that they can build upon. Despite the recognition that the current version of the W15 is not enough, Mercedes is pleased with the progress they have made in creating a workable platform.