P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes: F1 quirk that makes ‘no sense’ offers clues to W15’s real fault
The German manufacturer, Mercedes, faced challenges with its new car during the 2024 campaign, uncovering both promise and key weaknesses perplexing drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Mercedes sought answers as to why the car underperformed in high-speed corners, delving into discrepancies between downforce predictions and real-world performance from wind tunnel and CFD simulations. Initial investigations revealed that the expected downforce was indeed being generated as anticipated, but was not translating into improved performance on the track. Mercedes shifted its focus towards potential mechanical issues rather than purely aerodynamic ones, experimenting with new setup directions at the Japanese Grand Prix. Team boss Toto Wolff admitted the complexity of the situation, expressing the need for better alignment between the car’s mechanical and aero characteristics to maximize performance potential. Ultimately, Mercedes aimed to break the cycle and find a new approach to unlock the full potential of their F1 car in the competitive field.
