Mercedes to analyse disappearing pace as Austin update revealed

Mercedes is to analyse where its pace disappeared to over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell delivered a superb performance in qualifying to lock out the second row of the Marina Bay Street Circuit grid behind polesitter Lando Norris in his McLaren and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

But the expected challenge for a podium from seven-time F1 champion Hamilton and compatriot Russell failed to materialise as the duo finished sixth and fourth respectively.

Mercedes' gamble with Hamilton by starting him on the soft tyre in the hope he could attack Norris and Verstappen also backfired, after which the pace drop-off from the W15 was alarming.

As trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin confirmed, the pace of the car was "ultimately poor", which made "for an incredibly challenging evening".

"Having qualified within a couple of tenths of Norris and Verstappen, we anticipated being able to race for the podium," said Shovlin.
"That shaped our decision to start on the soft compound with Lewis as we looked to make up ground on the opening lap.

"Unfortunately, with our lack of pace and struggles to control the rear tyre temperatures, that proved the incorrect decision and left him in for a tough race."

Confirming that Russell was on "a defensive strategy", Shovlin added: "We had to pick our battles, and it was clear that we didn't have the speed to be in a fight with the McLaren of Oscar Piastri.

"He was much faster and, with a tyre advantage, was always going to get through. George did well to hold off the hard-charging Ferrari of [Charles] Leclerc and limit the damage."

With no F1 racing for the next three weekends, the 'autumn' break affords Mercedes "the opportunity...to analyse and understand what happened to our pace".

Shovlin said: "We had moments over the weekend where we were competitive, so we know there is inherent pace in the car."

Since F1 returned from its summer break, the hope Mercedes would continue to challenge at the front has also evaporated.

The team won three of four grands prix leading into the August holiday - two of which were on merit - and there was the sense its early-season issues with the car were resolved.

That, however has not been the case, resulting in its drivers scoring just one podium - Russell third in Azerbaijan - over the past four races upon the sport's resumption.

For the next race in the United States, Mercedes will again attempt to address the car's problems.

"We will be bringing an update package to the car at the next race and we hope that can bring us closer to the fight at the front," said Shovlin.