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Mercedes has faced challenges in hotter conditions, a struggle deeply rooted in their car’s design and performance limitations. These issues have often been most evident in races under high temperatures, where the car’s aerodynamics and tire management struggle to maintain optimal performance. One of the primary reasons for Mercedes’ difficulty in hot weather is the complex interaction between their car’s cooling systems and tire degradation. The W16, for instance, has undergone significant updates to address previous shortcomings, including attempts to mitigate the issues faced during warmer races, but the team still grapples with the complexities of maintaining tire temperatures and car balance in extreme conditions [oai_citation:1,Mercedes explain cause of Hamilton and Russell Monza ‘hot seat’ struggles | RacingNews365](https://racingnews365.com/mercedes-explain-cause-of-hamilton-and-russell-monza-hot-seat-struggles) [oai_citation:2,Russell raises ‘intriguing’ F1 2025 dilemma as key Mercedes W16 details revealed](https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-reveals-key-mercedes-w16-details-intriguing-f1-2025-dilemma).
A key issue has been Mercedes’ slow adaptation to the unique challenges posed by Formula 1’s new ground-effect aerodynamics. While their competitors, particularly Red Bull, have gained an edge with better handling in varying conditions, Mercedes has struggled with their design choices, often resulting in inconsistent performance when temperatures rise [oai_citation:3,Mercedes explain cause of Hamilton and Russell Monza ‘hot seat’ struggles | RacingNews365](https://racingnews365.com/mercedes-explain-cause-of-hamilton-and-russell-monza-hot-seat-struggles). Additionally, the introduction of new car specifications in 2025 has only intensified the need for continuous development, as Mercedes works to fix the persistent cooling issues and improve their heat management strategies [oai_citation:4,Russell raises ‘intriguing’ F1 2025 dilemma as key Mercedes W16 details revealed](https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-reveals-key-mercedes-w16-details-intriguing-f1-2025-dilemma).
Despite these challenges, Mercedes has made strides in its in-season developments, particularly with the introduction of a new front wing in 2024 that improved their ability to perform in cooler weather [oai_citation:5,Mercedes explain cause of Hamilton and Russell Monza ‘hot seat’ struggles | RacingNews365](https://racingnews365.com/mercedes-explain-cause-of-hamilton-and-russell-monza-hot-seat-struggles). However, the larger battle lies in balancing these updates with the need to address tire management and cooling systems during warmer races, with George Russell and the team expressing optimism that the W16 will be a significant step forward [oai_citation:6,Russell raises ‘intriguing’ F1 2025 dilemma as key Mercedes W16 details revealed](https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-reveals-key-mercedes-w16-details-intriguing-f1-2025-dilemma).
In essence, Mercedes’ struggle in hot conditions is not just about cooling systems but also a deeper issue of adapting to the evolving demands of Formula 1’s aerodynamics and tire management, which remains a work in progress.