Mercedes Faces Thermal Management Challenges Ahead of Barcelona Race
As Mercedes gears up for the 2025 W16 season, thermal management remains a significant concern, particularly affecting the rear axle. Despite demonstrating dominance at the Las Vegas race in cooler conditions, both drivers reported difficulties managing tire temperatures during hotter outings.
In Friday’s practice sessions, George Russell completed an 18-lap stint on soft tires, while teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli clocked in at 16 laps, aiming to fine-tune their setups to minimize thermal degradation for Sunday’s race. Russell acknowledged the tough road ahead, noting, “We know that on a Saturday our car is anywhere between P2 and P5… we’re realistic, we know that the car isn’t quick on Sundays.”
Qualifying allowed Russell to secure a fourth-place start, attributed to a strong performance with only two sets of tires used. He emphasized his hope that the upcoming race, which will utilize Pirelli’s C1-2-3 tire compounds, might mitigate overheating issues associated with softer tires. “The hardest tyre would suffer less drop-off under overheating,” he stated.
Despite revisions to improve race pace, Russell expressed caution about the team’s potential on race day. He reflected on past performances, stating, “When the soft compound was hot, we struggled significantly; however, in Bahrain, we performed well on hard compounds in similar conditions."
Antonelli echoed Russell’s sentiment following his sixth-place qualifying effort. He highlighted the importance of data collected during practice, suggesting that the suspension changes implemented for recent races had not hindered qualifying speed but may require further analysis for optimal race strategy. “We’ve been doing a lot of long runs… the goal is to keep those tires in the best possible condition,” he remarked, recognizing the competitiveness of rival teams.
Both drivers face a crucial race day, where managing tire health amidst high temperatures will be pivotal to securing a strong finish.
