Mercedes thinks about which path of modernization to choose

Mercedes is considering whether to continue using unusually compact side pontoons or changing their design, and are actively looking at cars from other teams, including the Red Bull RB18.

Mercedes technical director Michael Elliott isn’t convinced that the speed advantage of the car created under Adrian Newey’s direction is precisely related to the shape of the pontoons and other body parts, although the external differences between the two cars are more than obvious. .

“People look at the car, they see these differences and they think if they stand out that much, then it’s because of them. But I think any aerodynamicist would say the most important elements are the underside of the car, as well as the wings and other basic aerodynamics, Elliott says. – While body parts also affect aerodynamic efficiency, they are not determinative.

It’s been said a lot that the narrow side pontoons mean we’re using a wide bottom sticking out from the sides, and the difficulty is how to achieve the necessary rigidity with this design. Like all other teams, we analyze the effectiveness of our chassis, look at other cars and try to find the direction of development that we consider the right one.

Until now, the task is to collect information as soon as possible and find out everything, and then decide on further actions.

Have we chosen the right concept? It is almost impossible to give a categorical answer, because you only work with your own machine, and not with strangers. As for mechanical aspects, we continue to study the features of the W13 and I am sure that a lot can be achieved by modernizing the chassis.

I think we just have to keep refining our car gradually. We are honest with ourselves and understand that we have not started the season very well, therefore we have to understand what our weaknesses are related to, how we can improve, therefore we have to work as hard as possible on technical innovations, but at the same time try stay within budget.

I’m not going to tell you how we’re going to behave, but we’re looking at other teams’ machines. I think it would be foolish to persist and not admit that in theory we could have made a mistake. But it’s not just about the concept of Red Bull – you have to study the concepts implemented by all the other participants in the championship and see which of them seems interesting and why.

Then it will become clear what can be applied from this and you may see some changes this year, others next year or maybe we will stay true to the concept we chose in the first place. And now we are trying to find answers to all these questions.”

It’s worth adding that Aston Martin and Williams, who use Mercedes power plants, have already upgraded their cars, and now their AMR22 and FW44 are more or less reminiscent of the Red Bull RB18.