Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Spanish Grand Prix was made possible thanks to Mercedes’ strategy, which includes a system of secret codes prepared to handle neutralization situations during the race. Andrew Shovlin, the brand’s engineering director, explained how this tactic was key to their performance.
After the yellow flag caused by the stoppage of a vehicle, Antonelli chose to slow down in corners 18 to 20, which caused him to lose more time than his immediate rivals. However, this was a calculated move, as his race engineer, Peter Bonnington, had alerted him that there could be a Virtual Safety Car (VSC).
Antonelli stated that he slowed down to maximize the chances of neutralization before entering the pits. Shovlin explained in the podcast NU Silver Arrows Radio Show that they use secret codes to inform drivers about the right moments to make pit stops in safety situations. «We change these codes every week to prevent other teams from detecting them,» he added.
Additionally, the team prepared two young drivers and showed a quick reaction to events, with tires ready in record time for Antonelli and his teammate, George Russell. Timing was crucial; only 15 seconds passed between the activation of the VSC and Antonelli’s arrival at the fuel pit.
The director emphasized the importance of having a clear plan and an efficient chain of command for the decisive moment of the pit stops. The victory in Madrid was not only a matter of luck but also the result of thorough preparation and the correct execution of strategies in pressure situations.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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