Mercedes believes it has resolved the ride height problem for 2024 car

After facing challenges dialing in the ride height for the past two seasons, Mercedes thinks it has finally unlocked the optimal setup window for its 2024 Formula 1 car.

The German squad battled porpoising issues with last year's W13 model due to operating with an extremely narrow ride height range.

This forced them to run close to the ground, causing bouncing while also requiring stiff suspension incompatible with bumpy tracks.

For the 2023 W14, Mercedes aimed to generate downforce across a wider ride height range, aided by the FIA's 15mm floor edge lift regulation.

However, the team ended up being overly conservative with ride height, leaving performance on the table by running too high compared to rivals.

"We chose the cautious path, knowing that it would be less painful to correct if we were wrong.

"The story of our year so far has been mostly about finding out that we had been too cautious and making the changes to correct that," explained Technical Director James Allison.

The complexity of current ground effect cars, reliant on floor vortex generation, means major ride height changes require extensive aerodynamic map reworking unfeasible mid-season.

Having erred low in 2022 and high in 2023, Chief Technical Officer Mike Elliott believes they've pinpointed the ideal window for the 2024 W15.

"I like to think we've sort of gotten ourselves into the right place for the winter," said Elliott.

While devoting focus to next year's W15, Mercedes will continue developing this season's W14 to fight for P2 in the Constructor's Championship.

Elliott says ongoing work won't hinder 2024 efforts since the W15 will likely be a very different design.

"Fundamentally, we want to be winning world championships. I think that's our prime focus and we'll put our efforts into doing that," Elliott stated.

With limited wind tunnel runs, teams must commit fully to either high or low ride height concepts.

Mercedes trialed both extremes in recent seasons before landing on a middle ground sweet spot they hope brings championships in 2024.