Mercedes: analysis of an endless problem in Brazil amid struggles and two opposing W15 cars. The race weekend in Brazil reflected a frustrating end to the season for Mercedes.

The Brazilian Grand Prix left a bitter taste for the Brackley team, who finished the weekend with a P4 and a P10. The difficult weather conditions only added to the challenges. The rain and tricky track revived the W15’s issues during the Sao Paulo GP, reflecting a frustrating end to the season for Mercedes.

After the triple header, Mercedes is left with little to show—just a handful of points and disappointment from a season finale that fell far below expectations. Following a strong showing before the summer break, the W15 has regressed, and even the new floor introduced in Texas failed to provide any significant improvement.

From Austin to São Paulo, Mercedes made little progress, and in Interlagos, problems from earlier in the season resurfaced. The W15 in Brazil was remarkable for its split personality—undrivable for Lewis Hamilton, yet “manageable” for George Russell. This is even more surprising given Lewis’s well-known skills in heavy rain and wet track conditions.

A Capricious W15

Lewis Hamilton’s #44 W15 struggled with pronounced understeer, a symptom of an overly stiff front end. This setup was likely chosen to try to maintain balance through Brazil’s long corners. This approach reflects a setup challenge that Mercedes faces more acutely than other teams, with the W15’s operating window seemingly narrower than ever. Moreover, cold and wet conditions no longer appear favorable for the W15, even though it performed well under similar conditions in Canada.

On the other side, George Russell’s W15 looked softer and at times more predictable in on-board footage from the Brazilian GP. However, this predictability came with a slight return of porpoising, noticeable on the “Reta Oposta” straight. This suggests a less rigid rear setup that enhanced traction and accommodated Interlagos’ many bumps.

The contrast with Lewis Hamilton’s experience was stark, and his post-race comments underscored the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s frustration.

“It was a disastrous weekend, guys. The car has never felt this bad, but thank you for keeping at it. Great work by everyone in the pit crew. If this was my last outing, it’s a shame it wasn’t a great one, but I appreciate you all.”