Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stated that the team now "understands" its early season problems after a much better showing in Spain.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has stated that the team now "understands" its early season problems after a much improved showing in Spain.
With a series of upgrades installed on their W13s,George RusselleLewis Hamiltonappeared at the top of the timesheets during Friday's practice sessions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and both reported solid progress.
Unlike in Miami, that pace carried over into qualifying, where Russell and Hamilton claimed fourth and sixth on the grid, respectively, sandwiching theRed BullRed Bull of Sergio Perez.
With the extreme set-up seen in previous races now drastically improved, and the deficit to the front of the pack greatly reduced, Wolff expressed satisfaction with Mercedes' recovery.
"We understand [the quique] now," Wolff confirmed to the .
Urged to clarify the situation, he said, "It's simple. It's all an aerodynamic effect that is created from the balance of the floor.
"It was difficult to come to that conclusion in a scientific way, but the team around [technical director] Mike Elliott and [aerodynamics director] Jarrod Murphy [did] and that's great."
Wolff believes that Mercedes can move forward and unlock the full potential of the 'sidepod-less' W13 in the coming events.
"I believe we've made a solid step forward," he said of the team's performance so far this weekend.
"We know how to unlock more and more performance, [but] we're not there yet, so it's step by step.
"The other teams were able to continue developing their cars while we were on a bit of a break to find out about the chique.
"As soon as we can resume regular development, as soon as we understand the tires better, now that the quique is over, I think we'll be catching up."
Wolff also revealed a particularly positive assessment of Mercedes' updates from seven-time world champion Hamilton.
"He says the car finally drives like a Formula One car, and I think that's the best feedback you can get from a race driver," Wolff summed up.