Mercedes is gearing up for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix with a new floor upgrade. Following the positive results from their recently introduced front wing at the Canadian Grand Prix, the team is optimistic about further improvements.
#F1 | Mercedes is getting ready to bring a new floor to the next race in Spain. 🚨
The new front wing that they introduced to help complement a recent upgrade appears to have transformed the balance characteristics of the car and suggests that they have started to understand… pic.twitter.com/pS4ki8yqgS
— deni (@fiagirly) June 10, 2024
In Montreal, George Russell secured pole position and finished third, marking Mercedes’ most competitive weekend of the year so far. The team’s performance suggests progress in understanding the current regulations and optimizing their car’s balance characteristics.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that the squad is finally moving away from past challenges where improvements didn’t yield the expected results. With plans for additional developments, including the new floor, the team aims to maintain its momentum.
Mercedes driver George Russell’s Thrilling Battle in Canada: A Close Qualifying and Intense Race
George Russell, the Mercedes driver, was all smiles after securing his and Mercedes’ first pole position of the 2024 season. In an ultra-close qualifying session at the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell matched Max Verstappen’s time to the thousandth of a second. Verstappen started second because Russell set the pole time first.
Even Verstappen admitted that he couldn’t match the impressive times set by both Russell and his teammate Lewis Hamilton in the second part of qualifying.
In the race, Russell led the pack early on, with Verstappen closely following. However, Lando Norris charged through the field, overhauling both Russell and Verstappen amid improving conditions.
An ill-timed Safety Car dropped Norris to third, but he fought back. Norris and Russell engaged in a fierce mid-race battle, with Norris ultimately taking second place. Verstappen secured victory, while Russell settled for third after late scrapping with Hamilton and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.