Mercedes gearing up for final upgrade of 2024 at US GP

©Mercedes

40

As the Formula 1 season enters its final stretch, Mercedes is pulling out all the stops, with the Brackley squad introducing at this week’s US Grand Prix in Austin its final upgrade package of the year.

While Mercedes is out of contention for the championship titles, team principal Toto Wolff is determined to his team’s crews finish their 2024 campaign on a high, setting the stage for a stronger 2025.

With six races remaining on the calendar, including three Sprint events, the Silver Arrows outfit is focusing on building momentum for the future.

“This weekend marks the start of an intense run to the end of the year,” Wolff commented in Mercedes’ US Grand Prix preview.

“We have six races over the next eight weeks, ending with the season finale in Abu Dhabi.”

Read also: Wolff convinced Hamilton will enjoy smooth transition to Ferrari

The tight schedule leaves little room for error, but Mercedes sees this period as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for next season.

“Although we are not in contention for the championships, there is still plenty to fight for and the opportunity to create a few highlights along the way,” Wolff said.

“We want to end this year as strongly as possible, build momentum for 2025, and bid farewell to Lewis in the best way possible.

“We have therefore been hard at work since Singapore analysing our performance and how we can improve.”

The update package that Mercedes has implemented for Austin is aimed at helping the team bridge its gap to the frontrunners to its Red Bull and McLaren rivals which have consistently outpaced them in recent races.

Wolff explained that the team has been hard at work analyzing performance issues since last month’s Singapore Grand Prix.

“We bring our final update package of the season to Texas and our aim is to close the gap to the front,” the Austrian added.

“It will also provide useful information that will help guide our development direction for 2025.”

The US Grand Prix will also feature the Sprint format, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the weekend as teams have less time to fine-tune their setups. Wolff acknowledged the challenge

“The Sprint format returns this weekend, and we will have to be at our best to introduce the update package effectively,” he said

“The Circuit of the Americas is a fantastic track but one that caught us out last year. Its high-speed layout, combined with its bumpy surface, make it a challenge for both the car and driver. It is one we are looking forward to.”

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.