P1racenews AI automatic summary:
During the last race of 2023, it was decided which team would claim second place among the constructors. But was it really beneficial for Mercedes?
Red Bull-affiliated simulator driver Rudy van Buren supports Mercedes’ decision to prioritize second place in the Constructors’ standings, despite the potential disadvantage in development time. The team struggled initially but made progress with upgrades at the Monaco Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell outperformed the Ferrari duo at Abu Dhabi, securing second place for Mercedes. Formula 1’s sliding-scale aerodynamic testing rules give teams less wind tunnel time based on their championship position, potentially giving Ferrari an advantage for 2024. Van Buren believes the small percentage difference in wind tunnel time shouldn’t make or break the competition and that Mercedes made the right choice in taking second place.
