Mercedes say exactly what Lewis Hamilton won't want to hear ahead of Spanish GP

Mercedes technical director James Allison said it is unlikely that his team will be “right at the front” at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Expectations for the Silver Arrows heading into the Barcelona race are higher than they have been for a long time. George Russell secured their first podium of the year last time out in Montreal, while Lewis Hamilton was one place behind and also scored his best Grand Prix result of 2024 so far.

And both Mercedes drivers were on the podium at the end of last year’s Spanish GP. Allison has been tempering those expectations, though, and doesn’t have a lot of hope of another fight for glory in Barcelona this weekend.

He said: “The changes we have made are making this car a better car and that will be true at every circuit we go to. The characteristics of Montreal make it look a little quicker than we have a natural right to command at the coming races.

“In Barcelona, I think it more likely that we will be competitive, but not right at the front. Because the next tracks are a little bit of a sterner test of a car. Hot asphalt, wider cornering speeds.”

Allison went on to add though: “However, I also know what we have got coming. I also know what we are planning to further improve the car. Our challenge is just to keep those upgrades arriving at a pace that the others cannot keep up with.