Mercedes Faces Uphill Battle with Thermal Management Issues in F1 Spanish GP
Mercedes seems to be carrying over a major weakness from last season into the development of its W16 for 2025 – poor thermal management, especially at the rear axle. This flaw, advantageous in colder races, becomes a significant concern in hotter conditions, potentially leading to tire overheating issues.
As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, Mercedes drivers engaged in extensive runs during FP2 on the soft tire, striving to find a setup that prevents excessive tire wear on race day. George Russell and teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed 18 and 16-lap stints, respectively, to gather crucial data for Sunday’s race.
Despite securing promising qualifying positions with Russell in fourth and Antonelli in sixth, the team anticipates a challenging race day due to their historical struggles with race pace. Russell remains cautiously optimistic, banking on the durability of the harder tire compounds (C1-2-3) to mitigate overheating problems compared to the softer options.
Russell highlighted the team’s consistent performance in qualifying but acknowledged the need for improvement in Sunday races. He expressed hope in the hard tire’s resilience to heat, citing their successful second-place finish in Bahrain under similar conditions.
Antonelli echoed Russell’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s focus on preserving tire condition during the race. Despite Mercedes’ return to form in qualifying, following tough races at Imola and Monaco, the team remains vigilant about understanding the impact of recent setup changes on race pace.
With high temperatures expected for the Spanish GP, both drivers are gearing up for a demanding race day, aiming to leverage their long-run data to maximize tire performance. The team’s strategic approach and tire management will be crucial in combating their thermal management challenges and securing a competitive position on the grid.
As Mercedes navigates the complexities of thermal management in the scorching Spanish heat, the team faces a critical test of their adaptability and performance on Sunday. Stay tuned for an electrifying race as Mercedes battles to overcome their Achilles’ heel and emerge victorious in the Spanish Grand Prix.
