The Mercedes F1 racing team will make aerodynamic improvements in the Chinese Grand Prix this week, following the loss of the former Formula One world champions to Ferrari in Malaysia, Mercedes’s technical head Paddy Lowe told Reuters on Monday.
"We've spent time analyzing the weekend in Sepang to identify areas for improvement," Lowe said in a team preview of Sunday's race at the Shanghai International Circuit. "The most significant weakness was our tire management during long runs."
Lowe said that Malaysia's high temperatures also helped Ferrari and worked against Mercedes, although noting that it was also essential to have a car which performed at all circuits and in all conditions.
"So there is work to be done on that front," Lowe added.
"It is now clearer than ever that there is serious competition for this world championship, so we will continue to work flat out for performance gains. We have a range of new aerodynamic developments for Shanghai and are targeting an improved performance from Malaysia."
Sebastian Vettel's win at Sepang earlier this March, the German's second race for Ferrari after leaving Red Bull, ended a run of eight consecutive wins for Mercedes.
The victory is Ferrari's first since 2013 and has dispelled speculations of Mercedes winning every race this year.
Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff said that their loss in Malaysia was a "wake up call" for the team after world champions Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg racked up a comfortable one-two ranking in this year's season opener in Australia.
Championship frontrunner Hamilton previously won in China last year, while Rosberg bagged his first victory in his F1 career in China in 2012.
"There is always room for improvement and we've been working hard to analyze everything for the next race in China," said Hamilton.
"The circuit itself is a different challenge to Albert Park and Sepang, [but] it's one I really enjoy and it suits my driving style quite well."