“Porpoising ‘no longer an issue’ for Mercedes”: Andrew Shovlin
Follow Us
Mercedes W13
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin claims the team has solved the porpoising issue with the W13. Before the 2022 season, Formula 1 underwent one of the most significant regulatory reforms in its history, with the cars adopting a ground-effect aerodynamic premise intended to decrease the quantity of dirty air produced, enabling drivers to overtake each other without losing effectiveness.
However, with the switch to ground-effect aerodynamics came a new issue: a bouncing phenomenon known as ‘porpoising,’ which many of the cars experienced in the initial stages. This problem plagued Mercedes for several races, with the team continuing to believe it was affecting their output because the only method to lessen the amount of bouncing was to raise the ride height of the car, resulting in a decline in downforce.
The predicament in Baku had become so pervasive that many drivers petitioned the FIA for intervention, and a technological mandate is now on its way for the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix to tackle the concerns, with additional floor changes planned for 2023. However, the subject of bouncing has received far less attention in the races immediately prior to the summer break. Mercedes, according to Shovlin, no longer has a porpoising problem with the W13.
Also Read: “We’ve been wrongly accused of copying” : Aston Martin hits back at Red Bull’s cheating claims
Andrew Shovlin gives an update on Mercedes’ W13
“Bouncing is no longer an issue at all,” said the British engineer. Mercedes says they are no longer “going around in circles” and can concentrate on advancement, with the Hungarian Grand Prix being a very promising indicator as George Russell clinched pole position, his first of his career and Mercedes’ first of the season.
“We still have a few things in the quiver, nothing spectacular but things that will take us further. We are no longer going around in circles but are now moving forward continuously. Also with the set-up,” added Shovlin. While Mercedes has not had the best car this season, their critical choices have been sound and the W13 has been credible, which has allowed Mercedes to close the gap on Ferrari.
But besides the Ferrari F1-75 being a coherent fit for Red Bull’s RB18, at instances even outperforming it, poor reliability and unwise strategy decisions have hampered the Maranello-based racing team, meaning that rather than combating Red Bull, they are now seeking over their shoulder at Mercedes, who are only 30 points behind. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton managed to pass Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in Hungary on raw speed, so with the W13 apparently no longer bouncing and the trail clear to concentrate on raw performance, P2 in the Constructors’ Championship remains very much on the table for Mercedes.
Also Read: “We will try to figure out how to stop it” : Mattia Binotto close to taking action against the FIA
Also Read: Mike Krack foresees a future for Aston Martin where ‘success is the norm’
Do follow us on: Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Stay Updated!
Rishika Saha
(445 Articles Published)