Mercedes brake discs at center of new W15 research after Brazilian GP

Mercedes has launched an investigation into its brake discs after George Russell complained of a “warped” feel during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Briton was heard on team radio complaining about the difficulty he was having in driving the W15 due to an unusual sensation when braking.

Mercedes launches brake disc inspection after Brazilian GP

mercedes Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin said the driver felt the brakes were “crooked” and that the new surface in Sao Paulo could be the likely cause.

“We were having problems with the brakes and George was talking about it,” Shovlin said. “He said it felt like the brake discs were warped. Carbon brake discs do not warp.

“They are often quite linear and you don’t understand these problems. But strange things can happen on the surface, meaning friction is higher in some areas.

“This can create a vibration, and that vibration can be felt through the pedals. So the discs may appear not to be round, but they are almost always round when you check them.

“We’re not really sure why this is the case and that’s what we’re investigating at the moment. These brake discs are back at the factory so we can look at them.”

Shovlin explained that another factor could be temperature, given the rainy conditions in South America.

“One factor was that they were running quite cold. This was in wet conditions,” he said. “There are opportunities to change the brake ducts but as there was no prolonged wet driving in this race we had to predict where the temperatures would be.”

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“Very low temperatures on carbon may be causing a problem, so we’ll look into that.” But they were absolutely fine in the dry. “There is something we need to investigate and understand.”

Mercedes can at least take comfort in knowing that they are not the only ones suffering from such difficulties and that other drivers have heard their complaints over the radio.

“Hearing other drivers’ comments, we weren’t the only ones struggling with brake vibration or grip, and George felt it cost him two-tenths, maybe three-tenths of a lap. “Will they lock up or shudder when entering major braking zones?”