Mercedes Finds Its Stride: Simulator Correlation Issues Resolved, Performance on the Rise

Mercedes is optimistic that their simulator correlation is now heading in the correct direction.

The team feels they have resolved the earlier problems with their simulator correlation.

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Mercedes believes that their simulator alignment issues, which plagued them at the beginning of the 2024 F1 season, are now finally being resolved.

Following a challenging beginning to the racing season, Mercedes acknowledged that their early struggles were due to a disconnect between their simulator data and the actual results on the track.

However, Mercedes claims that recent enhancements have led to significant improvements in this area, resulting in better track performance.

"We believe the simulator is now accurately reflecting real conditions. Therefore, we approach each track as a unique challenge," Mercedes' trackside performance director, Andrew Shovlin, stated to reporters, including those from Crash.net, at the Austrian Grand Prix.

"We've introduced various upgrades to the car, including some mechanical ones that don't require official announcements. For the past five or six races, we've been making continuous improvements, so the car has been different at each track."

Shovlin mentioned that the most important factor is the better alignment with the simulator.

"We had no chance earlier, as even minor changes like a five-degree variation in track temperature or a 30-degree shift in wind direction could throw everything off balance, so it's understandable that the simulator couldn't accurately replicate all these factors."

When questioned about the extent of the correlation issue for Mercedes, Shovlin responded: "It's certainly a significant challenge, as this is primarily how cars are developed nowadays."

"It's much simpler when you're consistently competing and receiving data that verifies your actions are indeed making the car faster. We can compare our finishing positions and the gap to the pole position with the results from the simulator, and they align, which genuinely enhances performance."

"It's challenging during the winter when you're unable to measure yourself against the competition. However, as I mentioned earlier, it was tough at the beginning of the year. It appears to be improving now."

Mercedes is hopeful that they have finally achieved a significant development with their W15 vehicle.

"We've certainly identified pathways for improvement that have increased our speed, much like every other team does. The real issue is whether our development is progressing as rapidly as that of our competitors."

"When we had a car that naturally resisted balancing, it was challenging to make it perform well on all the turns of a track. This issue went beyond just correlation problems. Now, however, we have a car that performs effectively at high, medium, and low speeds, and its braking is satisfactory."

"There are always opportunities for improvement, and you'll often find yourself trying to catch up to someone else. However, it appears that the enhancements made to the car have significantly contributed to the correlation process."

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