MERCEDES BRINGS THE HEAT (AND TRIES TO KEEP IT)
When its W06 was in the pit lane or on the grid, Mercedes used special insulating covers on the entire rear brake assembly (discs, callipers, and pads) in order to keep it at optimum temperature. When the car is stopped, teams use fans to blow hot air to the discs through the brake ducts: thanks to these blankets, heat can be kept in the area for a longer time.
One would have noticed how slow the Silver Arrows of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were at the end of their formation lap at Sochi, thus forcing the cars behind to drive at a similary low pace. Perhaps this was a tactical manoeuvre aimed at unsettling their Ferrari rivals, as they need to bring more heat to their tyres before the start.
