F1 | Mercedes: the W15 evolved in Miami disappoints expectations

But is Toto Wolff really sure he will lure Max Verstappen to Brackley? Why would the three-time world champion leave a winning team for a brand that is just a faded copy of the dominant structure from 2014 to 2021? It is legitimate for him to ask himself these questions after seeing the W15 struggle yesterday in qualifying for the race.

The black-silver arrow in the Miami GP introduced a part of the update package that will only be seen in full at Imola: yesterday we anticipated the multiplication of hot air vents to safeguard the reliability of the power unit, while now we are able to show you in more detail the modification of the trailing edge of the sidewalk in its median area.

Where there were only two vortex generators there are now five, with profiles that protrude much more than the bottom plane, so much so that the carbon cover that was there has been removed. The intention was to enhance the flow to be directed towards the outside of the rear wheel.

The front wing has also been adapted to the characteristics of the Miami track which allows for a medium-low load configuration: the last flap, the adjustable one, has been redesigned with the aim of reducing drag. James Allison’s staff also worked on the front suspension covers, seeking a different flow pattern towards the rear axle.

Mercedes F1 W15: the new front wing with the lower last flap

Picture of: Giorgio Piola

Judging by the results, even these innovations did not improve the behavior of Mercedes: George Russell and Lewis Hamilton did not pass the selection of the SQ2, revealing the limits of a project that did not start out as well as the two models that preceded the W15.

It is true that the weekend format allowed only one free practice session, so it cannot be ruled out that the car needs a little more time in setting up, but it has not escaped observers that the W15 has been getting worse when the asphalt of the track was becoming rubbery…