Overview

• Mercedes boss Toto Wolff acknowledged that an extreme mechanical setup choice at the Austrian Grand Prix backfired and worsened the car’s tyre overheating problem.
• George Russell finished fifth at Spielberg, more than a minute behind winner Lando Norris after battling 50 °C track temperatures and rough surface abrasion.
• Six months of development work, including revised rear suspension upgrades that showed promise in Canada, have yet to deliver a lasting solution to the overheating issue.
• Mercedes now trails Ferrari by a single point in the constructors’ championship after the P5 finish in Austria.
• Drivers and team leadership are banking on Silverstone’s cooler conditions and recent tarmac upgrades to restore the W16’s competitive edge.