Mercedes F1 details their decision to introduce a single upgraded wing at Monaco, with Andrew Shovlin shedding light on the rationale behind this strategic move.
Mercedes F1 deviated from their usual practice of providing upgrades to both drivers at Monaco. George Russell utilised the latest front wing specification, and Lewis Hamilton highlighted this difference by stating he did not expect to out-qualify Russell again.
Andrew Shovlin, the team’s trackside engineering director, mentioned that both drivers supported the team’s decision to introduce the upgrades earlier, without waiting for enough units for both to use.
“We hope to have enough wings for the race in Montreal,” stated Shovlin. “Typically, race quantities are at least three, because there is one for each car and a spare in case of issues. We don’t produce three at once; we make the first, then the second, and then the third.”
“The result was that we only had one that we could bring to Monaco, prepare it for Friday, and run it over the weekend. Some time ago, the drivers said, ‘Why do we always wait for a full set? Why not let one of us use it?'”
“We agreed with them that given the team’s performance situation, we needed to improve and learn, and it was good to have different specifications on the car to achieve that. We agreed with the drivers that, under the current circumstances, we would be happy to bring one to the track, and they were both satisfied with that.”
Hamilton will occasionally have priority on the upgrades.
Shovlin confirms that Hamilton allowed Russell to have the upgrade, but in future, it will be different: “There will be races in the future where we only have one upgrade, and of course, we will alternate from now on. But Lewis made this decision very easy for us.”
The engineer detailed the limitations of working on upgrades at Monaco: “There is a reason teams don’t usually bring upgrade kits to Monaco; it’s the very slow nature of the circuit, the intensity with short straights, making it very difficult to evaluate anything.”
“All the data we have seen, however, indicates that the new parts performed well and provided an advantage. Regarding the car’s feel, George was satisfied and felt it was a step in the right direction.”
“We are thus pleased with what we have seen so far. But we will learn more in Montreal and, importantly, on a circuit like Barcelona where the range of cornering speeds is broader, allowing us to really start drawing lessons.”
Shovlin Explains Monaco Wing Upgrade Rationale. Shovlin Explains Monaco Wing Upgrade Rationale
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