Since the introduction of the current ground-effect regulations package in 2022, Mercedes has struggled. Fourthly, there are mutterings in the paddock that Mercedes is in a good place with its engine development program. Since the start of 2022, Mercedes has constantly been troubleshooting and every time one problem has been cured, another pops up. Although Russell won running this in Montreal, that success actually misled the team given the track characteristics masked the problem. That’s what makes next year simultaneously a huge opportunity for Mercedes, and its greatest test.