Having reverted to an older-spec rear suspension, although happy with the outcomes, Mercedes stays confused as to why new spec did not work.
Following a powerful begin to the season the German staff launched a brand new rear suspension at Imola, solely to seek out itself struggling, albeit scoring a win in Montreal.
Kimi Antonelli, particularly, was sad with the upgraded suspension, although teammate George Russell additionally claimed the replace resulted in an absence of stability.
“We have to actually perceive what’s going on and why we have taken such a step backwards as a result of these circumstances as we speak, you’ll argue, are perfect for us and our automobile,” stated Russell in Spa, “and as soon as once more, it has been the worst efficiency of the season.
“The automobile is not feeling as good to drive in the intervening time because it as soon as did,” he added. “It is missing rear stability, whereas at first of the yr it was significantly better. I believe Kimi and I are collectively making extra errors as a result of the automobile is tougher to drive. So we have to sit down as a staff.
“It could be so simple as reverting again a number of the modifications we have made,” he stated. “However, in Components 1, it is by no means that easy. Clearly, we had the change of the entrance wing in Barcelona, we then went in a barely completely different route afterwards to type of deal with the difficulty of the change of entrance wing. And clearly, since that time, we have taken a giant step backwards. So, it could possibly be so simple as simply reverting again to one thing that we had earlier within the season.”
In Hungary, having reverted to the older-spec suspension, Russell claimed his sixth podium of the season whereas Antonelli scored his first level in for races.
“If we make a brand new suspension, we’re doing it to make the automobile go faster,” explains Andrew Shovlin within the staff’s newest video debrief. “Clearly there’s one thing that wasn’t proper,” he provides.
“There’s areas the place the drivers stated the automobile is certainly higher with that suspension, however when it got here to stability within the quick corners, a number of the corners the place they’re having to hold a variety of pace on entry, they did not have confidence to push the automobile like they wish to.
“We all the time attempt to make issues that enhance the tempo of the automobile and this did not,” he admits. “Loads of the work that has gone on now’s to know precisely what’s it that has brought about that downside. It is not one thing that is useless apparent, in any other case we would not have had that situation within the first place.
“Budapest confirmed that we have got an excellent automobile after we land it in the fitting place,” he provides. “After which hopefully, there will be a possibility to construct on our tally of race wins.
“We had a good time in Montreal, there’s different circuits which might be a bit extra like that developing over the remaining ten races, so hopefully, we’ll have a couple of extra highlights.”
