Mercedes: A delicate balance with the 2017 project

Firmly anchored at the top of the two world championships, Mercedes arrives in relative serenity on the eleventh round of the 2016 season, contested this weekend at the Hungaroring. Despite the tensions between its two drivers since the Spanish Grand Prix, and the affair of the penalty for prohibited radio communications at Silverstone, the German team hopes to play new leading roles on a track where it has not imposed since the change in regulations and the advent of V6 turbo/hybrid Power Units.

Behind the scenes, the stable with the star is also entering a pivotal period, where the project of the car 2017 will require more and more time from the thinking heads of the house. A situation that is not necessarily easy to manage, in addition to the continued development of the W07 Hybrid.

“There are important decisions to be made, advance Toto wolff, boss of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. Every week, we must analyze how to distribute resources for the 2017 project. It is a delicate balance.

Some teams stopped 2016 development early, perhaps even as early as February, once the current cars hit the track. This can give them an advantage, as the learning curve is very steep at first. If you're a few weeks late, you may find yourself much further behind at the end. We are halfway through the battle for this year, but the hard work has only just begun. »

Concerning the Hungarian event, Toto Wolff is particularly wary of Red Bull RB12, returned to a level of performance more worthy of the standing of the Austrian team, and which the conditions encountered in Central Europe could benefit.

“This circuit has not been successful for us in the last two years and suits the strengths of our rivals, Wolff says. The Red Bull, for example, is a car that works well where high drag is not as detrimental as on other types of circuits. So, in wet conditions and on low speed circuits like the Hungaroring, they are a major threat. We must be perfect to show us at the forefront on this track. »

The last victory of a Mercedes at the Hungaroring dates back to 2013 with Lewis Hamilton. The three-time world champion then signed his first success for the German brand since his transfer from McLaren.