Mercedes has encountered significant challenges since the regulatory adjustments implemented in 2022, managing to secure just one victory since then, which came at the 2022 São Paulo GP. In light of the Silver Arrows’ recent struggles, the team is poised to implement some innovative strategies for the upcoming race in Melbourne next weekend.
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, shed light on these strategies during a recent race debrief following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. According to Shovlin, they are embarking on a series of experiments in Melbourne to identify performance-enhancing directions for the team.
He elaborated on this approach, stating, “We’re trying to design some experiments there (Melbourne) that will hopefully give us a direction that’s good for performance.”
Addressing the challenges faced by drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the opening two races of the 2024 campaign, Shovlin highlighted two key areas of concern. Firstly, the team grappled with porpoising, a recurring issue from the 2022 season. Additionally, they are currently contending with a lack of speed in high-speed corners.
To tackle these issues, Mercedes is exploring various adjustments, including modifications to ride heights and stiffness, aimed at minimizing bouncing. Moreover, they are fine-tuning the car’s balance across different speed ranges, optimizing its performance in both low and high-speed scenarios.
As Mercedes remains in the experimental phase, the question arises regarding their prospects of challenging Red Bull for victory at the Australian Grand Prix if these changes prove successful.
