F1 News: Mercedes W15 Spotted With New Rear Wing In Saudi Arabia

Mercedes might be planning a change of setup for the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Ahead of the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, a fresh rear-wing design from Mercedes has been unveiled. This new low-downforce configuration on the W15 F1 car showcases a notable and radical cutout in the center, aiming to reduce drag and optimize top speed.

Key Takeaways:

• Mercedes unveils a new low-downforce rear-wing design ahead of the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, featuring a radical cutout in the center to enhance top speed by minimizing drag.
• Although the rear wing garnered attention in the Mercedes garage, it remains to be seen if the team will deploy it during the Saudi Arabian GP.
• Following cooling issues during the Bahrain Grand Prix, Mercedes aims to rebound in Saudi Arabia, with team principal Toto Wolff expressing optimism about unleashing the car's true potential on the high-speed circuit.

The rear wing, which was a highlight in the Mercedes garage, was spotted by F1 journalist Albert Fabrega on Wednesday. However, it remains unclear if the Brackley outfit will use the new component during the GP in Jeddah.

La nueva ala trasera de Mercedes con DRS abierto y cerrado

New Mercedes rear wing with DRS opened and closed.#f1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/NPMPsRl8aQ

— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) March 6, 2024

The move from Mercedes comes after a challenging session last weekend during the Bahrain Grand Prix when both drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, faced cooling issues on their cars. 

Mercedes Press Image

Both W15s weren't exactly up to pace as the might they revealed during Bahrain's Free Practice. Jeddah is one circuit that could offer some hope to Mercedes, as it is the track where Hamilton won his last race in 2021. Striving to do better, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that the team aims to unleash the car's true potential in Saudi Arabia. Speaking to the media, he said:

“Our race in Bahrain was best described as underwhelming. We were hopeful of a stronger showing after our performance in practice and qualifying.

“Both drivers were pleased with the balance earlier in the weekend, and the more stable platform provided by the W15.

“Unfortunately on Saturday evening, our cooling performance didn't match our predictions. That forced us into management mode early on, which had the knock-on impact of reducing tyre temperatures below optimum.

“That cost us the opportunity to show something closer to our true potential. It was a frustrating way to start the season but one we will learn from.

“We've got an opportunity to take a step forward immediately. Jeddah is a street track with a lot of high-speed content.

“It will be good to continue our learning with the new car on a very different circuit to Bahrain. We will be aiming for a more consistent weekend and to understand our true performance relative to the rest of the grid.”

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