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Mercedes, between confidence and caution: “Some problems to resolve before Melbourne”

Despite proven speed and the innovation of Dual Axis Steering, Mercedes must face some shortcomings in the reliability of the W11 driven by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at the Barcelona tests. 

Published on 29/02/2020 à 17:44

Medhi Casaurang

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Mercedes, between confidence and caution: “Some problems to resolve before Melbourne”

It's often said that lap times don't mean much during winter testing. Formula 1. However, it still puts butter in the spinach. The plate is well stocked on the side of Mercedes, with the best time Valtteri Bottas during the last day of training in Barcelona (Spain), Friday February 28.

The Finn clocked 1’16”196 on the Catalan track. As an indication, this is a lap seven tenths slower than his pole position last year, achieved in different circumstances (track heat, tires, fuel). “I think we can be happy that we got the most out of these tests, only missing a few kilometers due to a few small issues, indicates Valtteri Bottas.

 

I already have a good feeling with the car and it was good to have the chance to be comfortable with the long and short stints, and to also practice some start procedures. I feel like we took a step forward in most areas and it was a successful test. » The competition is warned!

However, the wearer of No. 77 does not want to declare victory too soon. “As always, we will focus on our own performances and we now have two important weeks before the first race to put into practice what we have learned from the test. »

His six-time teammate champion Lewis Hamilton, not happy to leave Barcelona with a jersey flocked with his Barça name, did not see the time passing. “It’s crazy how quickly the last two weeks have gone by. It was intense, with a huge amount of work from everyone on the track and in the factories. 

The feeling in the car is a step forward from last year, but it is clear that we still have some problems to resolve before Melbourne. I have complete confidence in the team and know they will do everything possible to ensure we arrive in Australia in the right place. The start of the new season is happening so quickly and now we are going to race in only two weeks. I'm eager to. »

The stable to be knocked down was in fact victim of some mechanical glitches during these tests, something quite unusual for the training led by Toto wolff.

 

James Allison, the Technical Director of the Silver Arrows, argues that the Mercedes W11 is a car who showed herself “fairly strong throughout winter testing”. However, the engineer refuses to lose his temper and see himself at the top of the bill, at least in public.

“We clearly still have work to do on reliability to get us to the level we expect at the start of the season. But if we can do that, I think we have a good chance of doing well in Melbourne. » 

All the information and the complete analysis of these tests, carried out by our special correspondents in Catalonia, can be found in AUTO issue 2257hebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version, and from next Wednesday on newsstands.

In the meantime, don't forget that our F1 2020 Guide is available in digital version and on newsstands.

 

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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