F1
Mercedes is counting on an evolution of its W13 to progress in Austin
Engineers work until the end of the season to improve the Silver Arrow. © Mercedes F1
The Star brand and the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), it's a beautiful story that has lasted since 2014 in Formula 1. Indeed, Mercedes won the United States Grand Prix there five times, four of which with Lewis Hamilton (from 2014 to 2017). Those were the good times, when the German brand was unbeatable on this hilly 5,513 km long track.
Since the advent of Red Bull in 2021, things are no longer so rosy. Mercedes is fighting to play the outsiders, and is in third place in the Constructors' Championship, a good distance behind Ferrari in second place (67 points difference).
Four races to go. And we'll fight right to the final lap. 👊 pic.twitter.com/JsTXxSLVqI
- Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@ MercedesAMGF1) October 14, 2022
However, the Silver Arrows are betting big on the arrival of aerodynamic developments to improve the performance of the cars in Texas. “Our last update of the year will be brought to Austin, confirmed Toto wolff, the boss of Mercedes. It will not radically change our destiny, but we hope that it will allow us to take a step forward and get closer to the leaders. »
Director of Engineering, Andrew Shovlin, details the nature of this new package developed by technicians at the Brackley factory. “We have removed weight from some components, which should bring the car closer to the weight limit (the minimum authorized being 798 kg. Editor’s note). »
The bumpy nature of the asphalt played tricks on the Mercedes in 2021, and Lewis Hamilton was unable to catch up with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen. “It’s a tricky circuit and it was even more so for us last year. It was very bumpy, there was a lot of tire overheating, and we weren't performing as well as Red Bull on the soft tires.
They've done a little bit of resurfacing, so hopefully these issues with the bumps will be a little less, but what's really difficult this year is really predicting where you are before you start testing. »
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Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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