George Russell believes the present Mercedes Components 1 automotive is the “most inconsistent” the staff has ever had, because it continues experiments on its improve package deal in Brazil.
With Russell and Lewis Hamilton having each endured crashes with the newest model of the W15 since the USA Grand Prix, Mercedes is making an attempt to resolve why there appears to be some quirkiness with its dealing with.
Each Mercedes drivers are dedicated to operating with the newest flooring in Brazil, which function some minor revisions in comparison with what Hamilton had in Mexico because the staff works on bettering its stability.
It’s understood that there may also be minor variations between the variations that each drivers use in first observe to additional assist the staff get a greater understanding of what it wants.
Whereas Mercedes has had some good instances with its automotive this season, profitable three out of 4 races earlier than the summer time break, Russell stated there stays lots of confusion over the truth that it doesn’t appear to supply a predictable platform.
“I believe in 2022, within the kind of porpoising period, doubtless that was much more disagreeable,” stated Russell, reflecting on Mercedes’ progress in the course of the current floor impact period.
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
“However due to the character of these vehicles, it was far tougher to get near the restrict since you’re actually leaping round each single nook, and also you knew that it was going to chunk you.
“The issue we have got with this automotive in the mean time is you assume it isn’t going to chunk you, and you’ll obtain a extremely nice lap. After which all of a sudden nothing modifications, otherwise you really feel nothing modifications, and the next lap and also you lose all of that efficiency.
“So unquestionably that is most likely essentially the most inconsistent our efficiency has been as a staff in most likely eternally.”
Russell defined that the variations in flooring, with the Briton getting his new model again on the automotive after it was repaired following his Austin qualifying crash, throughout the 2 vehicles was very small.
“We’re each going to be on the up to date flooring,” he stated. “We have a small distinction in specification as a little bit of a trial, but it surely’s not an replace as such. It is simply within the realms of regular aerodynamical testing.”
Monitor floor affect
One vital issue to Mercedes’ hopes this weekend will probably be how a lot the brand new Interlagos monitor floor impacts the warmth of the tyres.
Circuit element
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
The staff’s automotive is thought to be very delicate to trace temperatures, and the warmer it will get the more severe its efficiency may be.
With early predictions pointing to the newly-resurfaced darkish asphalt being hotter than it was earlier than, Russell thinks it is a component that Mercedes must be conscious of.
“The color of the tarmac has an affect, so the darker the color, the warmer the temperature,” he stated.
“On the flip aspect, it is a very clean floor, so the tyres will be capable of most likely run hotter and be penalised much less as a result of it is so clean. That is the speculation.
“However we do not know if it may be good for us or unhealthy for us. Austin was the most effective instance: Friday qualifying, we’re each combating for pole. Saturday qualifying, Lewis is out in Q1, I find yourself within the wall and nothing has modified.”