Mercedes modifies controversial front wing to use in Mexico after all

Mercedes came with a sizeable upgrade package in the United States, but the team was forced to forgo the front wing. In Mexico, however, the team will drive with the wing. Indeed, some adjustments have been made.

As a precaution, Mercedes did not drive with the new front wing in Austin. With only four races to go, the US GP weekend was the last moment for most teams to bring any upgrades for this season. Mercedes brought a new wing, with which the team also hoped to preview what it could do for next season's car. However, the FIA put the magnifying glass on the wing and Mercedes had to do without it.

In the team's debrief on YouTube Mercedes chiefs James Vowles and Andrew Shovlin discussed the wing and indicated that they did want to use the wing in Mexico. It now appears that the team will indeed do so, but to avoid further inspection from the FIA, the team has made some adjustments. According to F1 journalist Tobi Grüner, the pieces that separate the panels on the front wing, the so-called turning vanes, have been removed.

As a result, Mercedes could still come up with a nice improvement for the W13 late in the season. In the high rarefied air of Mexico City, the team has suffered from ill downforce generation more often in recent years. Perhaps things will improve with the ground effect of the 2022 cars, but any aerodynamic improvement is nice for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton's team. That the team has made the adjustments perhaps also shows that the old wing was indeed not made entirely according to the regulations.