Mercedes has 'tweaks' to boost engine performance

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin says the German outfit is looking at the possibilities it has at its disposal to extract more performance from its power unit.

At the outset of the 2022 season, a freeze on engine development was imposed on the sport's four manufacturers - Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull Powertrains (Honda) – until the end of 2025.

A first homologation deadline was set for March 1st 2022 and included a complete block on development for the ICE, the turbo, the MGU-H, the exhaust system, the fuel specification, and the engine oil specification.

A second homologation deadline set for September 1st 2022 allows a manufacturer to upgrade its PU's control electronics, the energy store (battery) and the MGU-K.

But thereafter, engine specifications will be set in stone until the end of the 2025.

However, in a bid to improve the performance of its troubled W13 new-generation car, Shovlin outlined an area where Mercedes' HPP engineers in Brixworth can work to unlock more engine performance.

"Of course we are trying to find something," said Shovlin, quoted by Motorsport.com's Spanish affiliate.

• Read also: Mercedes bidding to introduce significant upgrades at Miami

"However, our power units are already homologated and the only thing we are allowed to do at the moment is to work on improving reliability.

"But there is another area we can work on that is not forbidden. I’m talking about engine control modes, which we can switch as we like.

"We understand our new car is not perfect, but the good news is if your car is not as fast as you would like there are many areas where it can improve.

"So our staff are now looking closely at the possibilities for tweaks that can give us extra performance.

"But yes, in terms of chassis [development], we don’t want to stop either."

The main issue impacting the performance of Mercedes' 2022 car is the well-chronicled porpoising phenomenon, or the vertical bouncing effect produced by the W13's aerodynamic ground effects.

Four races into their campaign, Mercedes' engineers appear to be making little progress in solving the problem. But Shovlin says the team's quest for a solution is a step-by-step process.

"Being realistic, we think this is something we approach in steps rather than one big moment when the whole thing vanishes," he said.

"But we are seeing encouraging signs and we are hoping to bring parts to the car soon, maybe even for Miami, where we can hopefully see progress on this issue."

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