Mercedes explain why the next few races will ‘test’ them

Mercedes Technical Director James Allison has warned that the upcoming intense European season, featuring six races in eight weeks, will be a significant test for the team. With development rates in the new regulation cycle reaching around a quarter of a second per month, Allison emphasized that maintaining a high pace of car updates is crucial to protecting their current championship lead. Furthermore, the team is working to resolve a battery-related power unit failure that sidelined George Russell during the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite the disappointment regarding reliability, Allison celebrated a successful weekend in Montreal, highlighted by Kimi Antonelli's fourth consecutive victory and the positive impact of the team's first major upgrade package.