Mercedes prepare for Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix amidst form fluctuations

Their recent struggles at Monza have raised questions about their competitiveness against rivals Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin.

Currently trailing Red Bull in the championship race, Mercedes find themselves in a tight battle with Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin. The competition for the closest opposition to Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez intensifies with each race.

Mercedes have demonstrated their strength on high-downforce circuits like Barcelona, where Lewis Hamilton and George Russell secured second and third positions, marking the team's best result of the season.

However, their performance at the Italian Grand Prix revealed vulnerabilities. Russell claimed a comfortable fifth place, while Hamilton faced fierce competition from McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Williams' Alexander Albon, eventually finishing in fifth. In contrast, Ferrari enjoyed its strongest weekend of the year.

Looking ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix, Mercedes' trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, anticipates a challenging battle. "It seems that when we go to the low downforce settings, Ferrari gets more competitive," Shovlin noted. "In Monza, it looked like they had one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half tenths of performance on us."

Singapore's Marina Bay Circuit is known for its high-downforce demands, which could favour Mercedes. Shovlin expressed optimism, stating, "Our performance at high downforce tracks like Barcelona, Budapest, and even Zandvoort has been strong. We're hoping to be a bit quicker there and get back to a position where we can challenge for podiums."

However, the Singapore Grand Prix poses unique challenges. Layout changes, including the removal of a section with a grandstand and tunnel, create a longer straight and alter tire dynamics. Shovlin emphasized, "We've got the softest three compounds, so it's a tough race on the tires, coupled with the bumpy street circuit and night race conditions."

Despite these challenges, Mercedes remains optimistic about a strong performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for September 15-17. The physically demanding circuit's 5.063km of bumpy streets and humid conditions will push drivers and teams to their limits in this critical race of the Formula 1 season.

 

Read More: Ferrari's strategy for a strong second half of the Formula 1 season unveiled (planetsport.com)