Despite progress, “it would be wrong to say that porpoising has disappeared” at Mercedes

At Mercedes, we could have a smile after the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. Performing well throughout the weekend, the W13 showed real progress, particularly in terms of the rebound phenomenon at high speed. A recurring problem on each circuit since the start of the season, porpoising was much more discreet on the Catalonia circuit.

Mercedes Strategy Director James Volwes is delighted with the solutions and the results on the track. “ We had one race out of six where the car performed well. It was a real competitive car for once. We could tune it, we could play with the settings and it reacted the way we wanted it to. The same couldn't be said for the car we had for the first five races of the season. »

So porpoising is a thing of the past at Mercedes? Although the W13 seemed comfortable on the Barcelona track, the feeling is one of caution among the Silver Arrows. “We need to temper our expectations. It didn't just happen on this track and it's a track that has been successful for our cars for many years. We have much to understand and learn. I think it would be wrong to say that the issue of porpoising has disappeared.

Erased but not erased, the porpoising of the Mercedes was still slightly visible in Spain. There car gray was unstable in turns 3 and 9 in particular. Rapid curves which “awaken” the rebound phenomenon. But according to James Volwes, this could still happen again in future races. “You always see it with our competitors. I am sure the phenomenon will return as we continue our understanding of it (…). » 

A car to “fight for the championship”

Mercedes' great progress in Miami and then in Barcelona has reignited the flame within the German team. Enough to see the future a little clearer according to James Volwes in view of the next developments. “What I can say is that we have definitely taken a step forward. A breakthrough in understanding and deploying what we put on track. We can build on that, the same couldn't be said for the first five races with the car we had before. »

If the Mercedes performed well in Barcelona with a podium for George Russell and a 5th place for Lewis Hamilton, it will be necessary to confirm on the next races. The return to the forefront is looming, but it is not yet guaranteed. “We will move forward from now on, but it will be a long process, it will not happen overnight. We have some cramped tracks ahead with Monaco and Baku bringing their own challenges in store. The difference now is that we have a car close to the best and a car with which we can fight for the championship. specifies the Mercedes strategy director.

In Monaco, a very winding urban circuit, the porpoising should not affect the Mercedes. The real question will concern the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with long straights and fast turns in the second part of the track. Will the W13 then be as efficient? Answer in the next Grands Prix…

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