'Measured methodology of Mercedes gets in the way of them in this problem'

Mark Hughes believes that Mercedes is not structured to solve the porpoising problem quickly. The German team has not yet figured out where the problem is, and that, according to the journalist, is precisely the problem.

Mercedes has won the world constructors' title for the past eight years, but there doesn't seem to be a ninth in 2022. The W13 of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell does not come close to the cars of Ferrari and Red Bull Racing in terms of speed, and the biggest problem is bouncing on the straight and in the fast corners.

Problems at Mercedes

Hughes states in an opinion piece by The Race that in his opinion Mercedes is not structured in a way that it can quickly solve a problem like porpoising. Hughes spoke to several aerodynamics specialists who tells you that any porpoising problem they ever encountered was solved by either restricting the venturi inlet or expanding its outlet. Surrendering some theoretical downforce that’s forever inaccessible for some real-world downforce.

According to Hughes, the best way would therefore be to put a new floor under the W13 and only later find out why this works better. According to the journalist Mercedes would take a step-by-step approach and first find out why the car bounces before a solution can be found. However, this leaves the team with a problem that is not easily solved. This clinical method has won them eight world titles, but may well cost them a ninth, according to Hughes.