Formula 1 testing is underway at the Bahrain International Circuit and it is giving all of the teams a chance to run their cars and figure out any potential problems before the opening races.
Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren have each set the pace so far in each of the morning and afternoon sessions that have taken place, showing there is a mix of teams capable of setting the fastest times.
Lewis Hamilton improved after a disappointing first day, setting the quickest time on the morning of the second day with a time that was faster than the quickest of all 2024 testing set by Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari.
We also learned so far that Mercedes have copied a lot of the Red Bull, focusing mainly on their sidepod air intakes which have a vertical inlet similar to the RB21.
Mercedes ‘primary focus’ has been mainly on improving the drivability of their car in slow corners, while also tackling their problem with tyre temperatures.
But there is another problem they have addressed spotted by Alex Brundle during testing that Hamilton and George Russell both complained about last year when speaking on Sky Sports.
Mercedes fixes hot seat problem from 2024 car
Both Hamilton and Russell could be heard complaining about how hot their seat would get during some races in 2024, with the seven-time world champion saying it was ‘roasting’ at one point.
Mercedes claimed it was down to the design of the W15, specifically the placement of various electrical boxes that would run hot and increase the cockpit temperature. The team has now implemented measures to fix it according to Brundle.
“Remember all through last year and even the year before, specifically the extremely hot event we had in Qatar when George Russell was struggling,” said Brundle.
“Mercedes drivers continuously complained that their seats were getting hot throughout the free practice, it was a staple radio message at some events. There is a duct [on the car] now that some are surmising that is going to cool the electronics.”
Ferrari rectifies another problem Lewis Hamilton complained about at Mercedes
Hamilton was quite vocal about the position of his cockpit when at Mercedes, which was situated far more forward compared to previous cars he had.
Now it appears Ferrari has positioned the cockpit further back as a result of them increasing the wheel-base of their car, which Hamilton believes will unlock a ‘whole new world’ of visibility.
READ MORE: Seven best drives of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes career before Ferrari move
Seeing outside the cockpit can be difficult in the current cars given they are enclosed by the Halo frontal cockpit protecting device and drivers vision is also partially obscured by the wheel fins.
This new change should help increase Hamilton’s comfort in the car, which in turn helps him with his confidence.
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