Drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have complained about missing confidence within the rear axle of the W14.
That is partly as a result of cockpit being positioned additional forwards relative to earlier years, however any decision should watch for an all-new chassis to be constructed for subsequent season.
By means of a extra fast repair for the nervous dealing with, as a part of its main improve package deal that bore extra typical sidepods, Mercedes fitted an up to date entrance suspension set-up for the Monaco Grand Prix final month.
The repositioned wishbone was primarily designed to work with the brand new sidepod idea by enhancing airflow and cooling. However the better capability to regulate geometries additionally improves stability.
Mercedes engineering director Shovlin stated: “It’s a case of attempting to play with these geometries to get an affect on the aero platform to try to get a bit extra stability within the automotive.
“It is in all probability given us extra freedom as a result of the difficulty that we at all times had previous to that was getting good entrance finish once you wanted it on the apex and good entry stability once you’re onerous on the brakes and delivering.
“That compromise was at all times one thing that we could not resolve. You are at all times left with both a weak rear on entry or a poor entrance at apex. So, hopefully, that is moved us in the correct course.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG, 2nd place, arrives in Parc Ferme
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Nevertheless, since these tweaks have arrived mid-season to be fitted the unique idea and are available throughout an period of the fee cap that limits growth, they’ll at all times carry a component of compromise.
As such, Shovlin expects bespoke suspension, significantly across the rear of the automotive, to be a serious level of focus for the 2024 Mercedes when the finances cap and aerodynamic testing restrictions reset.
He defined: “Essentially, we have finished a brand new suspension this 12 months. Suspensions are costly issues to convey to the automotive. So, the truth is with the fee cap, we’re at all times wanting on the championship state of affairs.
“We do not understand how a lot we are going to do. I would not anticipate that we will be making huge strides.
“What we’ve got realised is there’s really fairly a wealthy seam of growth right here that we are able to begin to have a look at. So these programmes are working.
“However the problem is at all times the way you get your aerodynamics and your automobile dynamics to work collectively and optimise. Each group’s as much as that type of course of.
“Nevertheless it’s taking a look at the place are the alternatives and how are you going to convey the 2 collectively in order that they work as one package deal.”