The long-awaited Mercedes upgrades have finally arrived, as the Brackley-based team responds to the developments introduced by its rivals in Miami. Mercedes has made wide-ranging changes to the W17, refining both the lower and upper aerodynamic package while also addressing the persistent issue of slow race starts. Meanwhile, work is already underway at the factory on the next development package, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli offering some early insight into the team’s future direction.
A highly sophisticated floor design
These are the kind of Mercedes upgrades that do not immediately grab headlines, but that does not make them any less significant. The most striking part of the W17’s new development package is the rear section of the floor, specifically the area ahead of the rear wheels, where every Formula 1 team is investing major effort.
This is a critical aerodynamic zone, where carefully designed cut-outs allow high-energy airflow to be channelled underneath the floor, while also helping to control the vortices generated around the tyre contact patch with the asphalt.
Mercedes appears to have taken this concept to another level, introducing an incredibly intricate aerodynamic structure that could almost be described as baroque in complexity. Four curled carbon fibre elements now sit along the edges of the floor, creating a highly sophisticated airflow-blowing effect. On the outer section, a small vertical fin has also appeared, similar to a concept already seen on the Red Bull. Meanwhile, the previous rear flap has disappeared, extending the overall cut-out and aerodynamic appendage arrangement.
The championship leaders have also worked extensively on the diffuser, which plays an even more crucial aerodynamic role under the current generation of Formula 1 cars. Specifically, James Allison’s technical department has revised the diffuser ramp geometry and the vertical strakes. Additional work has also been carried out on the wheel assembly aerodynamic appendages, both to increase local downforce and to refine the vortex structures that help maximise diffuser efficiency.
A complete aerodynamic package
Mercedes has also developed the front-end aerodynamics, underlining that the Canadian GP package is a fully integrated upgrade concept rather than a collection of isolated parts.
The front wing has been revised most noticeably in its outer sections, starting with the endplate profile, which now features a cut-out in the upper area. A small vortex generator has also appeared on the outer flap, continuing the relentless search for improved outwash performance to push airflow away from the front tyres more effectively.
In addition, the vortex generator on the lower footplate has been repositioned lower, while Mercedes has also declared the addition of a small vertical vane beneath the wing in the same area.
Looking further rearward, changes can also be seen in the so-called venetian blind section — the cascade of horizontal aerodynamic profiles located beside the floor inlet. Mercedes remains committed to its established aerodynamic philosophy, similar to Red Bull’s approach, rejecting the vertical fence solutions seen instead on Ferrari and McLaren.
The most notable revision here concerns the lower profile, with the goal of generating additional local downforce while offering better protection for the floor against turbulence created by the wheels. Finally, the team has also adjusted the front brake cooling ducts to cope with the heavy braking demands of the Montreal circuit.
Fixes for the starting issue
Mercedes’ technical department has no time to relax. Development work is already continuing at Brackley on future upgrades, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli having already provided feedback following the Miami Grand Prix. However, the objective is not simply to bring the highest number of upgrades, but to deliver packages that produce meaningful performance gains, as the young Italian explained:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli: “It will not simply be a race to see who brings the most upgrades, but who brings developments that are effective and that genuinely work.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is also using a modified steering wheel in Canada, specifically with changes to the clutch paddle system, an intervention aimed at improving the slow starts that have affected Mercedes during the opening races of the season. Mercedes has also worked on the software side, again with the objective of managing torque delivery to the rear wheels more effectively and limiting wheelspin during standing starts.
So far, Mercedes has consistently managed to recover from poor launches during races, but the W17’s current advantage may begin to shrink depending on how effective rival upgrade packages prove to be over the coming rounds.
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