Mercedes determined to ‘seize the opportunity’ in Suzuka after its shocking double DNF at the Australian GP

Mercedes is currently in fourth place in the 2024 Constructors standings.

Mercedes determined to ‘seize the opportunity’ in Suzuka after its shocking double DNF at the Australian GP

Toto Wolff, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

The Mercedes F1 team has not got off to the best of starts during the ongoing 2024 F1 season. The outfit is currently the fourth-fastest on the grid but after its recent double DNF in Australia, Lewis Hamilton and Co. are determined to make a roaring return at this week’s Japanese GP.

At Albert Park, Lewis Hamilton retired from the 58-lap race because of an engine issue. George Russell, on the other hand, had a major crash during the closing stages and thus, Mercedes came away with zero points.

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However, since then, Mercedes has been at it in their factories, and its Technical Director, James Allison has given a positive update.

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So that'll be the main thrust of what we're doing, to try and make sure that we really seize the opportunity of this couple of weeks before Suzuka, to make sure we're on the right track in terms of seeing Suzuka pick up a little bit and then that will give us more confidence when we head to China.
James Allison said in an interview with GPblog

Mercedes desperately needs a strong outing at the Suzuka International racing circuit. The W15 has so far not performed as per expectations and Japan could provide the perfect opportunity for the German team to unlock its car’s maximum potential.

Mercedes eyeing ‘certainty’ from the upcoming F1 races

The 2024 F1 season is three rounds down and the Mercedes drivers are yet to be fully at ease within the cockpit of the W15. While the outfit is looking for positive results from Suzuka onward, it is also looking for some certainty regarding its 2024 challenger.

Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

The W15 has so far proved quite unpredictable, especially for Lewis Hamilton.

Where you want to have a bit of certainty under you that you were on the right track that the
things we've been working on have been sort of nudging us in the right direction and then that just gives you more confidence to push harder down that path in the following events.
James Allison said in the same interview

It is a priority for Mercedes to understand that the concept they have followed with its 2024 car is the right one. They feel that if the concept direction proves right, then it will give the whole team a lot of confidence for the rest of the ongoing season. Keeping everything in view, the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix holds tremendous significance for the Brackley-based team for varied reasons.

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