Formula 1 starts are crucial, and this season, Mercedes has visibly struggled with a recurring issue: botched getaways that have cost them dearly, despite a cascade of pole positions. While Kimi Antonelli has often been in the spotlight, the team has acknowledged a deeper problem, affecting both software and hardware, as they attempt to regain the impetus befitting their badge.
This 2024 Formula 1 season has seen Mercedes battling to reclaim its place on the podium, oscillating between flashes of brilliance and frustration. Although the W17 has shown signs of progress, a persistent weakness has marred its performances: its starts. On several occasions, despite securing pole position, the team has seen its drivers caught out the moment the lights went out, losing precious positions before even reaching the first corner. This lack of consistency at the start, while sometimes involving Kimi Antonelli, revealed a more global issue that the outfit decided to tackle head-on.
In Formula 1, every detail counts, and a botched start can compromise an entire race strategy. For Mercedes, this situation was becoming untenable, making races tougher and more costly in terms of time and energy. The problem wasn’t limited to driver error but extended to complex technical aspects, where even rivals using the same power unit, like McLaren, seemed better equipped.
A Gearbox and Philosophy Problem
The issue of starts at Mercedes quickly highlighted a philosophical divergence with teams like McLaren. While both outfits use the same power unit, their approaches to gearboxes and gear ratios differ notably. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, confirmed that shorter gear ratios offered a distinct advantage at the start. This subtle difference allowed the Woking cars to better exploit their power from the very first metres, a strategy Mercedes seemed to have overlooked in favour of other compromises.
Inconsistency: The Real Enemy
Beyond a sometimes-imperfect starting performance, Mercedes’ main pitfall lay in a glaring lack of consistency. The W17 didn’t just fail to consistently deliver an exceptional initial launch; it displayed disconcerting disparity. At times, the loss was limited to a single dropped position, while at others, a genuine tumble down the order occurred. This lack of consistency particularly penalised Kimi Antonelli, whose starts often equated to lost positions.
Antonelli: Collateral Damage or Main Actor?
While Kimi Antonelli has frequently faced criticism for his starts, his role warrants nuance. Several incidents complicated his task. In Australia, a calculation error by the engineers led to a flat battery, depriving the car of power and directly affecting acceleration off the clutch. In China, a misunderstanding with his engineer regarding start settings caused confusion. In Miami, erroneous grip estimations by the technical team resulted in unsuitable settings, creating a domino effect.
However, it would be reductive to completely absolve the driver. At Suzuka, for instance, an error in releasing the clutch – an extremely sensitive manoeuvre – was identified as the primary cause of the young Italian’s drop back. The slightest hesitation or jerky movement can have decisive consequences.
Technical Solutions: Software and Ergonomics
Faced with these observations, Mercedes decided to act on two fronts. The first action concerned the software. It was clear that critical issues needed resolving within the start management system. Simultaneously, particular attention was paid to the ergonomics of the clutch paddle. Kimi Antonelli thus opted to revise the design of this key component to improve feel and increase precision during release. Although the paddle retained its classic appearance, subtle adjustments were made to the finger housing, allowing for finer control.
“We have a new clutch paddle on my side, to help me be a bit more consistent on the release. Obviously, the team has also worked hard on the software and the clutch itself, trying to both improve performance and make the system a bit more reliable,” confided Antonelli, who was able to test these modifications during free practice, validating their potential for the rest of the weekend.
Encouraging First Signs in Canada
The Canadian Grand Prix offered a first glimpse of the improvements made. During the sprint race, George Russell executed a blistering start, demonstrating clear progress. The main race, disrupted by unstable weather conditions and three consecutive restarts, did not allow for a definitive assessment. Nevertheless, the performance at the clutch release point was not deemed negative, suggesting that Mercedes may have finally found the key to mastering its starts.
- Blind Spot Addressed: Mercedes recognised its recurring weakness at the start and invested heavily to correct it.
- Dual Approach: Solutions were both software-based, with adjustments to the management system, and hardware-based, through improved clutch paddle ergonomics.
- Shared Responsibility: While Kimi Antonelli was often highlighted, technical issues and the team’s estimation errors also played a significant role.
- Impact on the Race: More consistent and performant starts are essential for Mercedes to capitalise on its qualifying results and contend for top positions.
- Early Positive Signs: The Canadian Grand Prix showed notable improvements, particularly thanks to George Russell, paving the way for a more consistent season for the outfit.
