Mercedes’ Toto Wolff Makes a Disappointing Prediction for the 2021 F1 Season
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with team principle Toto Wolff after winning the race and the world championship Pool via REUTERS/Clive Mason
Mercedes had a successful season as they racked up another constructors’ and drivers’ championship this season. The Silver Arrows were significantly faster than the rest of the grid all season. After Hamilton set a record pole position time at Monza, they established the Mercedes W11 as the fastest car of all time.
The teams had increased downforce to be quicker through the apex this season, and the tires were under additional pressure. As a result, the 2021 rules have proposed certain changes.
The key difference next season is the requirement of downforce cuts by reducing floor area. Meanwhile, Toto Wolff has explained that because of these changes, it will be difficult for teams to come back faster next season.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after qualifying in pole position alongside second placed Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas Pool via REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
He said, “The aero was cut back considerably on the floor around the tyres, and it’s going to take a while to catch up.
“We’re still right in the middle of our development for next year, but I doubt we will be there quickly.
“In that respect, and with the tyres going a notch harder, I don’t think we will near the lap times that we have seen this year. At least not in the first half of the year.”
Lewis Hamilton Hails Mercedes for Their Other ‘Huge Accomplishment’ in 2020
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Mercedes opens up about their DAS system
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 13, 2020 Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action after the race Pool via REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
The Dual Axis Steering system first appeared in winter testing. An invention that generates heat into the tires faster than other teams by pulling or pushing on the steering wheel. However, Mercedes technical director, James Allison, admitted that they never maximized on their invention.
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“We had hoped we would be able to use it more over the course of an event from old tyres to new, that the drivers would find corners where it was just easier to nip around the corner with a little tweak of DAS because it does change the steer response,” he explained.
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Considering the loss in downforce, Mercedes will look forward to extracting the most out of DAS to gain an edge over the rest. Eyeing another championship title, they will, sure enough, provide a car to both Hamilton and Bottas to dominate the drivers standing once again.
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