Mercedes W13 bargeboard detail
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How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock

Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further

When the Mercedes W13 rolled out in to the pitlane for Friday morning’s tech show-and-tell session ahead of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, it didn’t even feature the tiniest of components that would end up kicking off one of the biggest political spats we’ve had in a while.

Instead, the team still needed a bit more time to get an extra metal supporting wire in place on George Russell’s car prior to the start of first practice. So, the only evidence of it coming were the slots that would hold it in place.

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