Mercedes relieved to avoid heatstroke

Since a torrid Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes particularly fears the high temperatures which have highlighted the engine cooling defects of his latest creation. Not really enough to slow down the progress of the Silver Arrows, but for a team always in search of perfection you will understand that a repeat of Spielberg's torments would be bad form. 

Si Ferrari stood out under a blazing sun at the opening of the German Grand Prix, Mercedes is in ambush since Lewis Hamilton finished only 0''156 behind the best time on Friday, owned by Charles Leclerc. L'Étoile is, however, concerned about the behavior of the tires on the hot tarmac of Baden-Württemberg.

« We had new parts on the car, some were for performance, some were for cooling, recalled Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes engineering director. So far everything seems to be going in the right direction but the tires were really overheating so it's a bit difficult to know where we are in the hierarchy. In terms of pace, some stints were more successful than others but the general feeling is that we are slightly behind Ferrari in these conditions ». 

« We have made progress in cooling, specified Valtteri Bottas. If we had the same package as in Austria, we would have encountered many more difficulties. With the new elements, we were able to carry out promising long relays ». 

Luckily for Mercedes, the rest of the weekend should be cooler, with the risk of rain for Saturday and Sunday. 

« We hope the weather will be different from tomorrow, admitted Hamilton. If temperatures are lower but the weather remains dry, none of today's lessons will really apply. ». 

At least that's what it says.