Mercedes F1 Braces for 'Great Test' at China GP

Mercedes F1 is geared up to tackle the ‘great test’ at the China Grand Prix, buoyed by solid progress with their vehicle in Japan, signaling readiness for the challenges ahead.

As Formula 1 revisits Shanghai after four years, Mercedes F1 contends with the track’s unfamiliarity and the challenge of new race conditions, setting the stage for a weekend of intense adaptation and strategy.

No ground-effect F1 cars, no 18-inch tires have raced on this track, so it will be a rediscovery weekend, especially with a Sprint format limiting the main work to just one hour of free practice on Friday morning.

For Toto Wolff, the team’s director, it’s undoubtedly a challenge for his team, which has a W15 that is still inconsistent and hard to place in a good performance window.

“The return to China is a significant moment for the sport. As the world’s largest automotive market and second-largest economy, China plays a crucial role in the global footprint of this sport,” begins the Austrian.

“The growth of F1 in recent years has been positive, and China is a key market to continue this progression. We are looking forward to racing in Shanghai for the first time in five years and bringing F1 back to the Chinese fans. With packed stands expected, I’m sure it will be a fantastic event.”

Then, on the sporting side, “it will be an interesting weekend on track.”

“With new cars, new tires, and changes to the track surface since our last race in China, there will be many unknowns. We also have the first Sprint weekend of the year, and that brings its own challenges.”

“The format changes, including a second parc fermé, will speed up the weekend – and the single hour of practice always puts pressure on making correct decisions with imperfect information. However, we look forward to this great test.”

“The results might not necessarily show it, but we have made solid progress with our car in Japan. We are eager to build on that this weekend.”