Mercedes identify key issue in Belgium: 'That makes it quite the challenge'

Mercedes first found success with a pole position and podium in Canada but doubt was thrown into the mix due to the unique circuit layout, unique weather conditions and (at the time) unique set of circumstances with Ferrari and Sergio Perez out of contention. Since then, results have only got better, with wins in Austria and Britain. Lewis Hamilton also secured a podium finish last time out in Hungary, but the team travel to Belgium with caution.

Why Mercedes expect Belgium to be a tricky challenge

"It's not exactly a run-of-the-mill circuit Spa. It's composed of two very different challenges. There are two sectors that are very fast, low downforce, and a middle sector that responds very well to putting wings on the car. Very slow corners, and some insanely fast corners. It's a real challenge for a car. It also has unpredictable weather," Technical Director James Allison highlighted in the Mercedes debrief video from Hungary.

But there's an even bigger challenge. "They've resurfaced it. Two thirds of the track has got new asphalt on it and one third of it is old. Old versus new asphalt has a very big difference in the behaviour of the car. On new asphalt, the tyres need to be much hotter to develop the grip at their best. Old asphalt, it's much easier to overheat the tyres. A circuit with such extremes, finding the magic middle ground setting that allows the car to do well over the lap as a whole is quite the challenge," he added.

Allison concluded by highlighting that Mercedes has performed well on various circuits recently and will be pushing hard to continue the positive momentum into the summer break.