Mercedes has unveiled how its secret code system helps drivers prepare for neutralization situations during races, a key aspect that contributed to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The director of engineering at the Mercedes circuit, Andrew Shovlin, explained that this tactic was activated when Antonelli was alerted by the yellow flags after Lance Stroll had come to a stop on the track. Although Antonelli slowed down in turns 18 to 20, he lost more time than other drivers like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen who were just behind him.
At a critical moment, Antonelli decided to extend his deceleration time, a decision triggered by his race engineer, Peter Bonnington, who warned him about the possibility of a Virtual Safety Car (VSC). This maneuver proved decisive, as Antonelli strategically slowed down to fall within the pit entry window.
Shovlin, in an interview on the _NU Silver Arrows Radio Show_ podcast, stated that Mercedes uses secret code to guide its drivers on possible strategies to follow in the presence of a safety car. ‘We use these codes to indicate if it is favorable to enter the pits during a safety car situation, but we vary these codes weekly to prevent other teams from knowing them,’ he explained.
After the yellow flags, the engineer communicated to Antonelli that he was in the VSC window before instructing him to make the pit stop. The choice to enter almost at the last minute was crucial, and the extra time gained gave the driver and the team the opportunity to react more calmly.
Teams usually meet with drivers on Sundays to review strategies and possible scenarios, including incidents and VSCs. However, in pressured moments, clarity in communication and preparation is essential to ensure a quick and efficient execution.
Mercedes, in a demonstration of complete coordination, was ready to perform a double pit stop with Antonelli and George Russell, having both tire combinations prepared. These preparations proved vital for the success of the strategy implemented in a race where every second counts.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
