Mercedes has confirmed that it will intensify its development efforts for its W17 car in response to the growing competition from Ferrari and Red Bull. Andrew Shovlin, the team’s track engineering director, has warned that it is crucial to maintain competitiveness as rivals accelerate after the latest races.
Speaking after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where George Russell achieved a creditable second place while Kimi Antonelli suffered an incident with a wheel shield, Shovlin highlighted the advancements of their competitors. “After Austria, we thought Red Bull would be very fast. Ferrari has definitely shown it has speed, but we need to focus on our own operations and ensure that the car reliably reaches the finish,” he stated during the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show.
Unlike other teams that have implemented significant development packages, Mercedes is adopting a more gradual strategy, bringing small improvements at each Grand Prix. Shovlin indicated that, although they have not presented a large upgrade kit, the team is committed to continuously increasing performance.
“We are working to bring performance to the car. Every week we try to bring improvements to stay on top,” Shovlin commented, emphasizing that their strategy allows them to adapt to a wide range of circuits. He has stressed the quality of the engineering work done to achieve a competitive position on different types of tracks.
Looking ahead, the team is preparing to face the challenge of the Belgian Grand Prix, which will take place at Spa-Francorchamps from July 17 to 19, where the car’s energy will be crucial for achieving a good result.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
