Mercedes tipped to upgrade car for Australian GP in bid to solve persisting issues

Mercedes are being tipped to bring a new rear-wing upgrade to their car for the Australian Grand Prix, as they bid to solve their porpoising issues.

The Silver Arrows have had a difficult start to the Formula 1 season, with them seeing both Ferrari and Red Bull ace the new regulations.

Indeed, they’ve had to accept they are probably the third-fastest in F1’s new pecking order and it’s going to be fascinating watching Lewis Hamilton and George Russell trying to gain ground on the likes of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

They’ll need a more competitive car to do that, though, and it is being reported that the Merc could have an upgraded rear wing at the next race; the Australian Grand Prix.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes are looking at a change to their rear-wing design in a bid to solve their porpoising issue, which has dogged their campaign in these early stages.

Indeed, Russell has gone on record to say that solving that will solve 99% of their problems with the W13, and you do feel as though the car will look a great deal easier to handle for both drivers once they do solve the problem.

The Mercedes, though, has suffered more than pretty much any other car with the porpoising issue, and so it remains to be seen just how much the new rear-wing, if at all, can aid their cause.

As mentioned, the Australian Grand Prix is up next, meanwhile, in what is the first time the race will be held since 2019.

The eve of the 2020 season in Australia saw the F1 season postponed thanks to covid whilst 2021 the race was also not held in Melbourne, thanks to the restrictions in place in the country.