Mercedes has found a new loophole in the technical regulations that allows it to enjoy advantages similar to a trick previously banned this season. This system is based on a surprising driving method that has captured attention during the qualifying sessions of the British Grand Prix.
During qualifying sessions, Mercedes drivers completely lifted their foot off the accelerator just before crossing the finish line, an unusual maneuver that deviates from the usual norm of keeping the foot on the accelerator until the end. This strategy, paradoxical as it may seem, allows for the utilization of certain details in the regulations that can be beneficial at specific moments.
Driver Andrés Kimi Antonelli commented on the difficulty of this approach, stating that driving this way can feel unnatural. “In Q3, I also had to lift my foot, and with these engines, it’s always complicated. Sometimes you have to wait to get back on the gas to achieve more speed in the fast corners,” he explained.
How power regulation works
One of the keys to this system is how the energy recovery unit (MGU-K) operates. When this is deactivated, regulations require a gradual power reduction process for safety reasons. This means that if a car were to abruptly deactivate its electric motor, it could cause power losses of up to 500 horsepower immediately, which would be dangerous.
This rule, designed to prevent excessive speed differences between vehicles, mainly applies during races. However, during qualifying, teams seek to extract every last joule of available energy.
An innovative method from Mercedes
After the ban on certain tactics, Mercedes has found a legal way to achieve a rapid deactivation of the MGU-K without violating regulations. The key to this strategy lies in the fact that if the driver completely lifts their foot off the accelerator, the internal combustion unit doesn’t require power and begins to decelerate, forcing the MGU-K to respond quickly.
Through an advanced programming system, Mercedes can avoid following the usual rapid power reduction, keeping the MGU-K at full capacity until just a few meters before crossing the finish line. This provides a noticeable boost to the available power in the final straight, thus improving lap times.
These sophisticated strategies represent an example of how technology and regulations can combine to generate advantages on the track. With a short distance between the last corner and the finish line at Silverstone circuit, the maneuver is easy to calculate, making it even more effective.
Experts and other teams, such as McLaren, have already started to question this innovative tactic, which could change the game in future qualifiers. As competition intensifies, technical innovations will continue to be a key factor in the battle for pole position.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
