We have reached the last turning point before the summer break, the back-to-back French - Hungary. The first and very intense phase of this season sees Red Bull e Ferrari more or less on the same level, and the Mercedes just one step down. Step by step, the Brackley team managed to get back to the desired values at the beginning of the season, experimenting with as many solutions as possible to get within two-three tenths of the top of the class. The path of Mercedes has not been very linear. There W13 she immediately proved to be the most nervous, difficult to adapt also due to a high hopping, between porpoising and bouncing.
Race after race we saw moments of complete blackout alternating with moments when the light at the end of the tunnel seemed really close. Two races from the summer break, which will allow some extra time to work, the silver arrows seem to have found the first solutions to be able to attack more than just third place. Also, one of the issues that will bring everything back into play is the Directive 039 of the FIA which will take effect from Belgian Grand Prix, SPA & WELLNESS, to counteract jumping and check the regularity of the flexible funds come under fire in recent weeks.
Six teams against but the FIA is adamant
There would be 6 teams against the new Technical Directive. Red Bull and Ferrari at the forefront followed by their respective customer teams such as AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo and Haas. In addition there would also be Williams, the only lone voice, if we consider that she is linked to Mercedes. The majority of the teams would therefore have pushed not to introduce the Technical Directive already this seasonbut it's about security the FIA did not yield to the democratic weight put in place by the teams who will be forced to re-adapt their cars starting from Spa.
Mercedes attacks Red Bull and Ferrari
According to the Mercedes Team Principal Toto wolff some teams could lose a lead of about 3-4 tenths thanks to the stricter controls on fund flexibility in the rear area, the least controlled at test level. The teams in question would be Red Bull and Ferrari, under observation for having exploited this gray area of the regulation by operating in a non-compliant manner and benefiting from it in terms of performance. Second Christian horner the new directive will not affect Red Bull's performance as they have not had to take significant action to address the problem pouring.
In France the first changes in Red Bull
But prevention is better, for this already at Le Castellet, according to some rumors, Red Bull should bring updates, in two parts of the fund, according to the new Directive. "One is the front portion at the level of the divergent, where in fact the 'board' will be different in terms of stiffness from the titanium pad housing. A change that doesn't aim so much at improving the performance of Verstappen and Perez's car, but that Newey and his teammates need in view of the checks phase that will begin in Belgium."writes Paolo Filisetti in the Gazzetta dello Sport. Ready news also on the performance front.“In the rear portion of the bottom, there will instead be a different conformation of the external profile of the Venturi channels. The intention is to increase the single-seater's load by using the bottom even better, thus allowing the wings to be unloaded and drag reduced without - in theory - losing stability and control.".
Ferrari is also preparing for the change
Of different opinion Mattia binotto which he had spoken of at the press conference in Austria changes to be made to adhere to the new standards at Ferrari. “Mattia Binotto explained during the Austrian weekend that some modifications to the underbody will be necessary to meet the technical directive after the summer break. The Ferrari team principal didn't seem worried." reports the German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport. The team principal of Ferrari, not satisfied with the Directive, had also expressed his doubts about that double tie rod flaunted in Canada laid down by the Mercedes.
Red Bull attacks Mercedes
Red Bull and Ferrari are two teams that have always opposed this Directive which will introduce the more complex one relating to 2023. All the more reason now that the problem seems to have also been solved by Mercedes. “In France they will be fast. They are showing that they are almost there. The last two races have been pretty decent for them and they haven't suffered from porpoising, so it seems they are slowly getting back into the game" Horner said.
Furthermore, Horner would not like the position taken by the Federation which would "impose" the set-ups on the teams. Despite the big "no" for this directive and the objections rejected by the FIA both Red Bull and Ferrari have not voiced many concerns.
However, there is one aspect on which Red Bull does not compromise, dusting off a controversy that has been carrying on since 2021. The Austrian team would in fact have noticed an abnormal bending of the front wing of the Mercedes. Which would favor the top speed of the W13. Last season, although the political struggle between Red Bull and Mercedes had reached extreme levels leading to the absurd, the FIA opted not to intervene on the front wings of the teams.
Spa has all the answers
This attack according to Mercedes would serve to divert attention from the technical directive, which only a SPA & WELLNESS he will give us the answers on any hierarchical reversals and performance deficits. Meanwhile, on the eve of the French Grand Prix, expectations at Mercedes are growing. Here too they are expected updates which will test the most expert eyes, as stated by Brackley: "Our best update will be the one you don't see". Furthermore, the smooth asphalt, the flowing curves and the absence of curbs can be great allies of the W13 and its two top drivers, Hamilton e Russell.
Source statements: FormulaPassion, Auto Motor Und Sport
