Can we trust James Allison ?

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport has faced challenges since the start of the 2024 season. However, their Technical Director, James Allison, is now “absolutely certain” that the team can compete with anyone in the upcoming races.

But how did they improve their performance?

The Balance Dilemma

Allison explained that the major issue was the car’s balance. They could achieve good handling in either slow or fast corners, but not both simultaneously. The key was finding a balance between high and low speeds, as well as stability through corners. This allows the driver to trust the car from entry to exit.

The Solution

Over the past three races, Mercedes introduced updates, including a new front wing design at the Monaco Grand Prix. This significantly improved the car’s aerodynamic balance. Allison stated, "It’s one of the key elements. We aimed to achieve good handling at both high and low speeds, as well as through corners."

Not a Eureka Moment

Allison emphasized that it wasn’t a sudden “eureka” moment but rather a realization that they should have seen the solution earlier. They had been working on elements that enhanced the car but didn’t address the fundamental problem. Now, they are confident in the car’s competitiveness for the remainder of the season.