George Russell believes Mercedes' current Formula 1 automotive is the “most inconsistent” automotive the team has ever had because it continues to experiment on a package of upgrades in Brazil.
With Russell and Lewis Hamilton each experiencing crashes with the most recent version of the W15 because the United States Grand Prix, Mercedes is attempting to resolve why the automotive feels a bit odd to drive.
Both Mercedes drivers are involved in the most recent floor in Brazil, which features some minor changes in comparison with what Hamilton had in Mexico because the team works to enhance its stability.
It is known there will even be slight differences between the versions each drivers use in early practice to assist the team higher understand one another's needs.
Although Mercedes had had some good times with their automotive this season, winning three of 4 races before the summer break, Russell said there remained lots of confusion over the proven fact that it didn’t seem to supply a predictable platform.
“I think 2022, in the porpoise era, has undoubtedly been a much more unpleasant year,” Russell said, reflecting on Mercedes' progress within the recent ground effect era.
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15
Photo: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“But due to the nature of those cars, it was much harder to get near the limit since you were literally jumping around every corner and also you knew it was going to bite you.
“The problem we now have with this automotive in the meanwhile is that you think that it won't bite you and you possibly can do a extremely great lap. And then suddenly nothing changes, or you’re feeling like nothing changes, and also you lose one other lap. this whole show.
“Without a doubt, this is probably the most inconsistent performance our team has had in probably forever.”
Russell explained that the differences in floor mats for the Briton, who re-fitted his new edition to a automotive after being repaired following a qualifying crash in Austin, were very small in each cars.
“We will both be on the modernized floor,” he said. “We have made a small difference in specifications as a trial, nevertheless it isn’t an update as such. It's only a matter of normal aerodynamic testing.”
Track the impact of the surface
A key think about Mercedes' hopes for this weekend will likely be the effect the surface of the brand new Interlagos circuit has on tire temperatures.
Circuit details
Photo: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
It is thought that the team's automotive could be very sensitive to trace temperature, and the warmer it’s, the more serious its performance could also be.
With initial predictions indicating that the newly poured dark asphalt could be warmer than before, Russell believes this is a component Mercedes must remember.
“The color of the asphalt matters, so the darker the color, the higher the temperature,” he said.
“On the opposite hand, it's a really smooth surface, so the tires will probably have the opportunity to heat up and so they'll be less penalized since it's smooth. That's the speculation.
“But we don't know if it would be good or bad for us. Austin was one of the best example: Friday qualifying, each of us fighting for pole position. Saturday qualifying, Lewis is eliminated in Q1, I hit the wall and nothing has modified.”
