Following George Russell‘s victory in Singapore, Technical Director Andrew Shovlin looks towards the end of the season with renewed optimism. In the team’s review of the street race in the Asian city-state, he spoke positively about the development of the W16, although he emphasized that there is still plenty of work to be done and the battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship is far from over.
George Russell dominated the Singapore Grand Prix from start to finish. It was a convincing victory that gave the entire Mercedes team a boost. “It was encouraging to see that the car can still win races,” says Shovlin in the Race Debrief. “George delivered a great performance and the whole team has become hugely motivated as a result. That gives us extra energy for the rest of the year.”
According to Shovlin, the recent updates have paid off, particularly in the slower parts of a circuit. “There’s no doubt that this car performs well in slow corners, where we have a lot of grip,” he explains. “The drivers also have a lot of confidence there, especially in the heavy braking zones.” However, the team remains realistic. “We are still refining the setup and looking for every little bit extra. But it’s clear that we’re making progress.”
Struggle Far From Over
With six race weekends to go, Mercedes remains in the thick of the battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. The team currently sits in second place, with a 27-point lead over Ferrari and 35 points more than Red Bull. However, since Monza, Red Bull has been back in form, with a car once again capable of fighting for victories. So, there’s no room for complacency, as Shovlin knows. “There are very different circuits coming up, so we’ll have to adapt the car each time. But one thing is certain: we’re not giving up the fight,” he concludes defiantly.
