Mercedes updates have been spotted on their W13 car as the team plans “experiments” during Miami Grand Prix practice.
The Brackley-based team has had a difficult start to the 2022 Formula 1 season with severe bouncing issues on the straights limiting their performance and leaving them trailing in the midfield pack.
At Imola, Mercedes had their biggest low so far as neither driver reached Q3 in their worst qualifying since 2012, and though Russell recovered to fourth in the race, Lewis Hamilton finished a lap behind in 13th.
Facing an urgent need to fix the porpoising problems, the team has brought their first upgrades of the year as a “first step” to try and do just that.
#AMuS New front wing with a modified upper flap, a rear wing that is now straight instead of wavy and a new beam wing. This is the lower rear wing. For Mercedes it’s about increasing the efficiency of the package & improving performance in corners & on straights (air resistance). pic.twitter.com/MWHd9J5uXt
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) May 5, 2022
Team boss Toto Wolff explained: “Since we returned from Italy, we’ve learned as much from the weekend as we can and, in parallel, our learning has continued in the wind tunnel and simulations.
“We have found several directions for improving the car, and we will be conducting experiments in Miami to correlate those simulations, and hopefully confirm the development path for the coming races.
“Both drivers have been working in the simulator ahead of Miami and the factories have been busy producing updates for the next races.
“The saying ‘smooth seas do not make good sailors’ comes to mind. This team has shown its resilience over many years and the difficult start to this season has lit a fire within every team member, determined to put it right.”
Typically, teams opt against introducing such updates at a brand new track and particularly on a street circuit such as that around Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
First @f1miami laps in the bank. ?? pic.twitter.com/snXqVt86of
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 5, 2022
But Wolff is optimistic about the weekend ahead.
“Miami is an exciting new challenge and a complete step into the unknown,” he said.
“The track looks demanding, with a real mix of low and high-speed corners, and it’s set to be a spectacular showcase for the sport to our growing US fanbase.
“So, we’re set for a fantastic event, and we can’t wait to see how it all plays out.”
