Formula 1: Mercedes struggled more than ever in the Pre-season Testing: The second Pre-season Testing took place in Bahrain from 10th to 12th March. It was full of surprises but one thing which caught the eye was the Mercedes team as they struggled the most. Mercedes still haven’t got a hang of their new W13 car. Follow Formula 1 updates on Insidesport.IN.
Mercedes this year around are really struggling with their W13 as they are not the quickest at all. Mercedes were not able to get on top of its car in the testing. They even installed new sidepods which were the talk of the Pre-season Testing in Bahrain.
Formula 1: Why were Mercedes struggling more than ever in the Pre-season Testing this time – Check Out
It’s like Mercedes were hiding their real pace. The obvious fear for the other nine teams is that the team could find something in its factory to unlock what it needs. But, the Silver Arrows team are looking to go into the season on a back-foot.
Porpoising was also the talk of the Pre-season Testing in Barcelona first and then in Bahrain. Porpoising is caused to the teams because of the ground effect cars. It last appeared in Formula 1 back in the 1970s and 80s’. It’s the bumping while driving the car on the straight line which causes porpoising.
Porpoising could become a big problem 😬 https://t.co/lBKxBoU55n
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) March 7, 2022
Mercedes struggled due to porpoising in the Bahrain Pre-season Testing. George Russell even gave his intel to bring back the active suspension to solve this problem. But, active suspension is banned from motorsport since 1994.
Mercedes’ rivals Ferrari and Red Bull have really upped the ante as they were looking on point. Both the teams did suffer because of porpoising but they got it under control in Bahrain. Ferrari and Red Bull looked to have gotten a hang of their new respected cars.
We could be seeing the end of Mercedes’ reign in Formula 1. Mercedes won eight consecutive Constructors’ championship titles since 2014. They were just not a match for any team in the F1 and year after year they dominated. But, this year things are looking different for Mercedes.
Formula 1: Why were Mercedes struggling more than ever in the Pre-season Testing this time – Check Out
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Lewis Hamilton is adamant that Mercedes will not be able to compete for wins at the start of the 2022 season. He even insisted that the F1 world champions are facing “big challenges” and trailing Ferrari and Red Bull for pace.
George Russell said, “I think it’s been pretty productive but very intriguing at the same time. Obviously so much to learn about these 2022 cars, with the tyres. It’s pretty clear some of the issues that a lot of the teams faced with the bouncing, just trying to get on top of that really.”
“Yes, it’s definitely bouncing around a lot from within, it’s not the comfiest in all honesty. I don’t really care about comfort if the performance is there but at the moment the performance isn’t there. We are a step behind our rivals, and we do have a lot of work to do between now and next week to understand because in every condition the Red Bull and the Ferrari seem a step ahead of us.”
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has brushed off implications. Mercedes’ George Russell said that Ferrari are looking like potential favorites in 2022, calling it “typical” of Mercedes to “hype up the others” before the first race of the season.
If this is the case then the other teams should be really scared because Mercedes do know how to win. They still have time in their hands to look upon their W13 car and change what’s needed to enhance their driving. You just can’t write off Mercedes because they have delivered year after year.
Formula 1: Why were Mercedes struggling more than ever in the Pre-season Testing this time – Check Out
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