Mercedes Upgrades: A Hit-or-Miss Situation in Recent Seasons

Mercedes upgrades have become hit-or-miss in recent seasons, with the team facing a tough spell as they struggle to keep up with their rivals. The upcoming Miami GP will see the Silver Arrows bring an important upgrade package, but the impact of these parts remains uncertain.

Technical Director James Allison had expressed confidence in the W15 being different from its predecessors, but recent performances have shown that Mercedes is still far behind Red Bull. Toto Wolff, the team principal, is facing one of the toughest challenges of his career as Mercedes continues to struggle on track.

Despite a special lap from Lewis Hamilton in China Sprint qualifying, Mercedes’ limitations were exposed during the race. Set-up changes made by the team failed to improve performance, and the W15’s operating window is limited, creating difficulties for drivers and engineers.

The team’s last-minute set-up changes highlight their lack of understanding of ground-effect cars, with rivals like Ferrari and McLaren outdeveloping them. The upcoming upgrades for the Miami GP may not necessarily inspire confidence, as previous improvements have failed to materialize on track.

With Mercedes switching between different floor specifications in just five rounds, the team’s next updates could raise more questions than answers. As they continue to struggle, the Silver Arrows face an uphill battle to catch up with their competitors before the new regulations in 2026.