Mercedes' 2018 charger will be better suited to Valtteri Bottas' driving style according to non-executive chairman Niki Lauda.
In his maiden year with the German team, the Finn ramped up his performance and achieved his first win in Russia before repeating the feat in Austria.
But his form gradually slumped thereafter while team mate Lewis Hamilton's form continued to ascend as he took the reins of the world championship battle.
Bottas' relative weakness compared to his world champion team mate has been pinned on a driving style which has been at odds with the Silver Arrows W08, something the German team will change next year with its new design.
"At the start, the car was suitable for both drivers," Lauda told Finnish broadcaster C More.
"But through development it became more suitable for Lewis' driving style."
Lauda said that while Bottas, 28, tried to adapt his style to suit the latest iteration of Mercedes' 2017 car, it is now up to the team to correct the situation.
"The reason for what happened is more our fault than Valtteri's," said Lauda.
"The car for the coming season will suit not only Lewis' but also Valtteri's driving style," he promised.
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