Mercedes needs to get out of the slump experienced in the last two GPs (Imola and Monaco), which brought little satisfaction to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. The Brackley team brought a new floor to Barcelona, which had been announced by Simone Resta, deputy technical director, at Imola, as well as a revised rear wing to increase downforce at the rear.
It is interesting to note that the Silver Arrow has not declared a new front wing: the solution able to pass the new technical tests limiting flex according to the FIA’s updated control parameters had already been seen in the free practice sessions at the GP of Italy and Emilia Romagna. James Allison’s technicians were able to gather useful data to develop simulations for further modifications planned on the W16.
The Spanish GP will be a very important race for the black and silver arrows: the Montmelò track is very demanding for developments, so the Catalan event will be strategic to guide upgrades.
The new rear suspension seen at Imola and rejected at Monaco was not brought back in Catalunya: before it returns later in the season, it will need some refinement. Meanwhile, the W16 benefits from the long-awaited new floor, which works in perfect synergy with the less flexible front wing.
The most noticeable modification concerns the outer edge of the floor: the air outlet of the outermost Venturi channels has been enlarged with the introduction of eight larger vortex generators instead of the six seen until Monaco.
The goal is to push that airflow outward past the rear wheel, reducing the losses caused by turbulence from the front wheel. This is a cleanup effort that should help generate more local downforce, trying to at least partially compensate for the balance lost with the less flexible front wing.
Mercedes is confident that, once the new aerodynamic package finds its best balance, the W16 should aim for its first victory. Judging by the first free practice session, it does not seem likely in Spain…
Leave a Reply