F1 News: Toto Wolff Gives Lewis Hamilton Upgrades For Canada Grand Prix – ‘Small Lap Time Gain’

Mercedes is gearing up for the Canadian Grand Prix with an air of hopeful anticipation, as team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed significant W15 upgrades aimed at improving performance at the Montreal track and beyond. Notably, both Lewis Hamilton and his teammate George Russell will sport a new front wing—a modification first tested under race conditions on Russell’s car during the Monaco Grand Prix.

The introduction of the advanced front wing is particularly notable. Its deployment in Monaco was limited; due to the precarious race conditions expected on Monaco’s tight tracks, the team resorted to a coin toss to decide its use, favoring Russell’s car to avoid the risk of damage. Despite these precautions, the wing provided valuable insights, aiding Russell to achieve a commendable fifth-place finish, suggesting its potential under race conditions.

In Montreal, both drivers will benefit from its incorporation.

Both drivers will have the updated front wing in Canada, plus some other development items for this event. It offered a small lap time gain around the tight streets of the Principality and should offer a greater benefit on upcoming circuits.

This upgrade comes at a crucial time for Mercedes, currently positioned fourth in the Constructors’ standings and trailing behind third-placed McLaren by 88 points. Wolff revealed in a press release:

“We had an encouraging weekend in Monaco. We continued to make solid progress with our car, improving its overall balance and taking a step closer to those ahead.” He acknowledged that the improvements hadn’t yet manifested in better race positions but maintained optimism regarding the future. “That progress isn’t yet showing in terms of positions but if we can continue to close the gap to the fastest cars, we know it will in due course,” he added.

He also remarked on the competitive pressures that are more palpable than ever in the sport.

“The picture at the front of the field is incredibly competitive. The field has compressed, and we are under no taking a position that others will continue to improve. We will have to continue to work hard and diligently to get ourselves into the mix,” he explained.

The upcoming race in Canada is anticipated with particular excitement by the Mercedes team. Wolff praised the dynamic layout of the track.

“The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a brilliant track. It offers a mix of low-speed corners and high-speed straights which makes for great racing. We always enjoy returning to Montreal as the fans are incredibly passionate about F1. We’ve enjoyed many good moments there over the years and hopefully, we can add to those this weekend.”

With new upgrades in place and a strong track record at the Canadian venue, Mercedes appears poised to narrow the points gap in the Constructors’ Championship, leveraging their technological advancement. The team remains steadfast in their commitment to continuous improvement, a crucial strategy in a quickly developing championship.