Mercedes is back, and two consecutive wins are no coincidence. Like Ferrari, Mercedes suffered from the same problem, but the W15 overcame it in Austria through “simple” evolutionary steps.
The victory at the Red Bull Ring resulted from a combination of factors that allowed Russell to secure his second career win. In the United Kingdom at Silverstone, the win came from pure performance, with a race pace that set the benchmark. These two successes followed the introduction of a new element on Hamilton’s and Russell’s cars. A problem on the Mercedes W15 was resolved, and it now afflicts the Ferrari SF-24.
In Austria, Mercedes did not introduce aerodynamic updates, but a bump appeared on the chassis in the area of the suspension elements. Mercedes’ initial explanation was related to improving cockpit cooling capabilities. However, the position is perfectly compatible with that of the third element, now only mechanical, which controls a fundamental behavior of the car. Along with the shock absorbers and torsion bars, the third element is crucial for managing the mechanical and aerodynamic platform. Specifically, this element, which is physically connected to the suspension struts/rods and the shock absorbers, allows for precise handling of the car.
The introduction of a larger spring with a progressive operating dynamic and other elements corrected the roll. This dynamic behavior “kills” the performance of a car, especially those that extract most of their downforce from the floor. In fact, a car that rotates around the longitudinal axis in a curve generates an aerodynamic imbalance between the right and left sides.
To function optimally, Mercedes had to correct the roll at the rear as well, which is crucial for seeking the correct balance. Even Allison said, “we had the solution right in front of us,” indicating that the lack of performance was related to something mechanical and relatively “simple.” Team Principal Toto Wolff also expressed surprise at the newfound performance after fixing this aspect of the car. This solution allowed the Brackley team to confirm on the track the data obtained in the wind tunnel, where the generated downforce is high.
The introduction of these elements led to a series of adjustments to the suspension settings. The technicians’ interventions, after testing in the simulator, focused on the behavior of the shock absorbers. These manage the vertical movement of the car during compression and extension phases, improving the car’s dynamic behavior. Traction, tire management, and stability are just some aspects that allowed the W15 to win with Lewis Hamilton once again proving to be a champion.
Ferrari, on the other hand, found itself at the beginning of the 2024 Formula 1 championship with a stable platform, but the increased downforce caused mechanical issues. This is a different situation compared to Mercedes, which first stabilized the W15 and then unlocked the car’s aerodynamic downforce. This result allowed the silver-black arrow to embark on a path rich in updates, planned for both Hungary and Belgium. Now the ball is in Ferrari’s court, which has before it the demonstration that it is possible to turn the situation around mid-season, perhaps even in the upcoming races.
Source: f1ingenerale
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