Mercedes not expecting miracles with upgrades: 'It's gradual'

F1 News

james allison on mercedes w15 updates at imola grand prix 2024
17 May at 14:43
  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

Since 2021, Mercedes have struggled to find the perfect balance. In 2022, they had their struggles with 'porpoising' and bouncing. In 2023, they had their failed experiment with the 'sidepodless' W14, meaning they had to revert to their old sidepods and start from square one. That put them on the back foot for 2024, and they have been wildly inconsistent. However, when the tricky W15 is on form, it can challenge the front of the grid. Technical director James Allison has spoken about the new upgrades brought to Imola this weekend in the hope of improving the W15.

Allison on W15 improvements: 'Cautiously, yes'

we are already a quarter of the way through the 2024 season, and so far, it has been a mediocre one for Mercedes. They have not won a race since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, and they have not been close since. However, with these updates coming to the W15 at Imola this weekend, there is optimism throughout the team that they can help improve performance and consistency. That was also shown through George Russell's P2 in FP1 on Friday. Lewis Hamilton finished in seventh.

Speaking in the constructors' press conference after FP1, Allison was asked about these updates and if he's seen any improvements. The Brit said: "Cautiously, yes, but it's a gradual thing. There have not been too many ups this season, but I think we, after a pretty uninspiring start, are starting to get to grips with it a little bit. Today was a better day thus far. Let's see if we can sustain that through the important parts of the weekend."

When asked about how he himself has found this tricky period at the German team, Allison brushed it off, saying, "I don't think it's any more difficult for me than it is for all of us in the team. It's always tough when a car isn't where you want it to be. And that is not an enjoyable situation. On the other hand, once you do start to get your head around it and start to move it forward, that then becomes extremely pleasurable. So hopefully we've got the worst of the grim feeling behind us and I'm now on the upward slope of that."