© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Former F1 designer Gary Anderson explains why introducing upgrades in Monaco is difficult, but adds Mercedes will at least know “a little more about its updated W14 than if it had not run the package”.
Mercedes was supposed to reveal their upgrades 2023 car at Imola this weekend, but because the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled, the team decided to debut the upgrade package at the next race in Monaco.
In his The Race column, former F1 designer Gary Anderson, who worked for Jordan, Stewart and Jaguar F1 teams, explained why introducing upgrades in Monaco can be difficult.
“Mercedes is pressing on with the introduction of its long-awaited Formula 1 upgrade package that should have been running at Imola on the streets of Monaco next weekend,” Anderson wrote.
“The question is whether that’s a good or a bad thing. You could say it will be beneficial to Mercedes as it provides an extra week to go through some more simulation set-ups and build a better understanding of the development direction taken.
“It will also give Mercedes more time to make a few extra parts to bring the spares up to a reasonable level.
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“It might have been a bit tight for what was supposed to be a triple-header, so from that perspective losing one race could be helpful.
“However hitting the track at Monaco in a car that, if it is to be successful, will have to incorporate a re-arranged aerodynamic flow structure could be a problem.
“The airflow around the sidepods and how that integrates with the floor edges and, in turn, the underbody flow will be critical to achieving a step in performance.
“That – and a suspension system that supports that aerodynamic platform to minimise the ride height change and underfloor centre of pressure shift under braking – will need as much track running as possible to allow the drivers and the engineers to get their heads around its new characteristics.
“Trying to do that all in Monaco is no easy task.”
However, despite this, Anderson adds that Mercedes really has no choice but to go through with it.
“Mercedes has no option but to go for it. From what we know, the car has had to have some major surgery to be able to package the new sidepods and front suspension geometry, so for the team there is no going back.”
Ultimately, Anderson says running the upgrades in Monaco is a better choice than to delay them for another week.
“While this weekend may not be ideal for Mercedes and the question will still exist as to if the upgrades that mark its change of development direction have moved it in the correct direction.
“However, Mercedes will at least leave Monaco and head for Barcelona knowing a little more about its updated W14 than if it had not run the package,” he concluded.
You can read the rest of Anderson’s analysis here.
