Mercedes will make changes to resolve its electrical problems

Despite the victory of Valtteri Bottas the weekend for the kick-off of the 2020 World Championship season F1, the picture was not completely idyllic for Mercedes. The fault of electrical problems around the gearbox caused by vibrations which almost cost the German firm its results.

An avatar which could be partly resolved for the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend, still on the Red Bull Ring by Spielberg, the world champions having spared no effort during the short time between the two events.

"This issue was caused by Spielberg's aggressive shakers, precise Toto wolff, Team Principal of the team. We first noticed the problem on Friday and immediately began working on how to mitigate the problem for the next races, both at the factory and on the track. We will bring new components this weekend to improve the situation »

“We know that if we don't resolve these issues, it will be a problem again in a few days, indicated James Volwes, head of strategy, who spoke during the Grand Prix instructing his two drivers to avoid the curbs last Sunday.

And the reality behind it is that this is an issue that could have cost one or both cars the ability to finish the race on Sunday. »

Asked about the nature of the problems after the checkered flag, Mercedes engineering director Andrew Shovlin clarified that they "seem to be part of the package at the moment ».

“These problems started to manifest themselves during the free practice sessions on Friday, he said. Valtteri encountered a problem at the end of one of the sessions. That was the first sign. During the day on Saturday, the problems repeated themselves so we expected to find them again in the race. 

If we assemble the car and send it to the track, it’s not a question of if the problems will appear but when. They do not manifest in just one form. Sensor and gearbox problems are related. This is electrical noise that interferes with other systems ». 

To be seen from the first free practice sessions on Friday at Spielberg for the Styrian Grand Prix, if the W11s still openly attack the Austrian curbs.