Mercedes left Sepang with speed in fast corners but a headache everywhere it counted slower. In the team’s post‑race debrief on its social channels, deputy team principal Bradley Lord said a combination of the new package, track temperature, and the track surface left the W17 “not in its usual happy state,” forcing the drivers “to turn the car on the throttle in the slow corners.”
Update worked in fast stuff, stumbled in slow
The source report states Mercedes introduced a revised floor and sidepod package for the event and was “happy” with how it performed in higher‑speed corners. But the car “did not gel” with the circuit overall—particularly in slower sections—according to the same report.
Tyre heat: rough surface, more strain
The source article explains that Sepang’s roughness amplified tyre temperatures. As the tyre deforms to grip over the surface texture, the loading and unloading of the contact patch (hysteresis) wastes energy as heat, increasing surface temperatures.
Aero twist hinted by McLaren
The source also cites McLaren team principal Andrea Stella as hinting at a second mechanism: a rough track can alter the underfloor airflow’s boundary layer, potentially triggering turbulence or separation. Teams typically account for surface friction in CFD and wind‑tunnel work, but a unique texture can still change how the flow behaves under the car.
‘A 3D problem’ Mercedes is taking home
Lord called it “a bit of a 3D problem that we need to work through,” adding that work was underway at the factory and in Singapore to verify the update’s behavior and set the plan for the coming days and the Singapore race weekend.
Russell’s podium bid ended by PU failure
Mercedes was on course for a double podium before George Russell retired. Lord said the team’s initial inspection showed “a mechanical failure on the PU side,” with the root cause still to be determined. He described the outcome as “a devastating blow for the team and 15 points lost,” especially for Russell, who was on for “a very, very solid podium finish.”
What’s next
The source notes teams have far more data on Singapore, so Mercedes expects the car’s tire and aero picture to be easier to read there as it works to confirm its development direction for this season and next.
