P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It was clear very early on that Mercedes’ 2023 F1 car was another dud. Returning technical director James Allison explains how pushing the FIA to eliminate porpoising created a situation his team then failed to exploit to its own benefit
Mercedes technical director James Allison acknowledges that the team did not win any races or the world championship in 2023, indicating that mistakes were made in designing the W14. In previous years, the team faced aerodynamic instability issues known as porpoising, caused by excess downforce near the ground. Although they solved this problem, it resulted in a decrease in downforce near the ground and a steep drop in downforce at higher ride heights. Mercedes continued in a similar direction with the W14 but faced a curveball with rule changes aimed at addressing porpoising, which Mercedes itself advocated for. The increase in floor-edge height meant less bouncing, leading to a debate within the team on whether to capitalize on this by lowering the car or continue searching for downforce at higher ride heights. These rules made finding downforce at higher levels difficult.
