A PR game or is it really on the back foot?

Its well-managed art of keeping a check on expectations means it has typically never been too bullish about its prospects, even when it has had by far the best car on the grid.

But the tone surrounding the launch of its new W14 seemed a departure from the past, as there was a greater sense of caution that seemed to solidify rumours its performance may not be as good as some of its fans may have hoped for.

There have been some whispers that Mercedes’ wind tunnel…