Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin admits that the German team was 'overly optimistic' in its approach to the 2022 rules overhaul. As early as pre-season testing it was clear the world champions had a problem, the porpoising issue getting worse as the season continued. However, while a number of teams suffered similar issues due to the rules overhaul's reliance on ground effects, Mercedes had also taken a unique approach in terms of its 'zeropod' sidepod concept which exacerbated the issue courtesy of the flexing of the unsupported floor. 'That learning is all quite valuable, and we like to keep that within the team,' says Shovlin, of the lessons the team has learned...
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