Amidst speculation surrounding correlation issues at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, F1 journalist Andrew Benson highlights Mercedes’ struggle with grasping the intricacies of ground-effect aerodynamics. Benson asserts, “Mercedes simply don’t understand” the nuances required to optimize this technology.
Following a two-year period marked by challenges in securing victories, Mercedes’ optimism was buoyed by the promising performance of the W15 at Bahrain. Lewis Hamilton himself lauded the car as a “race car” after a notable showing on the track.
However, just a week later, despite efforts to bounce back, the atmosphere within the Mercedes team was not as upbeat.
Lewis Hamilton, after finishing in ninth place, expressed his frustration, stating, “It was like I was in a different category when I was going through the high-speed corners.” Toto Wolff, acknowledging the team’s challenges, admitted, “There is something we need to spot, and that’s the thing to unlock.”
The team boss did not disclose what exactly that “thing” is.
BBC’s Benson asserts that Mercedes “simply don’t understand” how to effectively harness the potential of ground-effect aerodynamics in their cars.
“Mercedes left the opening race in Bahrain optimistic that they had a car that finally provided a platform on which they could build and develop under these new rules,” he stated.
“Saudi Arabia suggested something else. Basically, a weakness of the car was exposed – it was dreadfully slow in the high-speed corners. And Mercedes did not understand why.
“In short, the simulation data said it should be producing a certain amount of downforce, and it was not producing anything like it.
“Team principal Toto Wolff admitted: “There is something which we don’t understand.”
“The bottom line is that something is happening with the Mercedes floor which the team cannot get their heads around.
“They still simply don’t understand how to make a car work effectively with these new rules.
“As Wolff put it in Jeddah: “The thing is, it’s been two-and-a-half years that we are chasing this fundamental. It is not by lack of trying. We pushed so hard and we are going to give it a massive go now in the next week with more data to understand and come back to Melbourne stronger.”
With their highest achievement being P5 in the Bahrain Grand Prix, Mercedes currently occupies fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship with 26 points. This places them a considerable 61 points adrift from Red Bull, who have secured consecutive 1-2 finishes.
This situation prompts the question: What should be considered a realistic target for Mercedes this season?
Benson stated; “Mercedes’ target will be to end the season as best of the rest – they already pretty much admit that Red Bull are uncatchable this year, certainly in terms of the championship.”
“For Russell, that realistically means the best he can hope for is to finish third, behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. To do that, of course, he has to beat Lewis Hamilton – no easy task, despite the seven-time champion’s slow start to the season – and perhaps even more of a challenge is Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
“Mercedes have some work to do after a chastening Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, when they admitted that the car was not producing the downforce they thought it should be, and they did not know why.
“They have been burning the midnight oil in the last week to try to figure out what they have not understood, so it will be interesting to see how they get on in Melbourne this weekend.”
