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Mercedes ‘experiments’ to shake up F1 title race
Mercedes believe if they can find a way to reduce the porpoising on the W13, while returning the car to a lower ride-height, then it will release a portion of lap time that could bring it closer to Red Bull and Ferrari at the front of the pack.
The German team is planning to trial several car updates at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, which it hopes will allow the car to run lower to the ground without excessive bouncing.
Speaking ahead of Formula 1‘s first race in the magic city, Silver Arrows team principal Toto Wolff revealed that its assessment of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix had provided a strong indication as to where the team should focus its efforts.
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“Since we returned from Italy, we’ve learned as much from the weekend as we can and, in parallel, our learning has continued in the wind tunnel and simulations,” he said.
“We have found several directions for improving the car, and we will be conducting experiments in Miami to correlate those simulations, and hopefully confirm the development path for the coming races.”
Despite a disappointing start to the season which has seen the eight-time constructors’ champion slump to third position in the team standings, Wolff insisted the team is not panicked.
Instead, he explained there is a calm and methodical approach evolving to work out how to overcome its issues.
“Both drivers have been working in the simulator ahead of Miami and the factories have been busy producing updates for the next races,” he said.
“The saying ‘smooth seas do not make good sailors’ comes to mind. This team has shown its resilience over many years and the difficult start to this season has lit a fire within every team member, determined to put it right.”
New recruit George Russell currently sits in fourth position in the drivers standings, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has tumbled to eighth, just four points ahead of ex-Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas for Alfa Romeo.
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