Mercedes to use two specs for 2019 F1 season, according to Will Buxton

Mercedes have brought in a new spec for the second week of testing, one that has a different front wing concept than the one used in week 1.

Week 1 of the Barcelona testing didn’t go according to plan for Mercedes, as they found themselves way off pace.

While the initial understanding seemed to be that of ‘sandbagging’, something that Mercedes are famous for.

But over the week it was understood that the front wing concept that was being deployed was hampering Mercedes’ pace and power on the track.

Now, with Ferrari coming up with a new aerodynamic concept for the new season, Mercedes too came up with a slightly altered concept for week 2.

It was believed that Mercedes had taken cues from their rivals and developed an upgrade before week 2 of testing.

However, according to Will Buxton, the new concept is not an upgrade, rather a different spec altogether.

Buxton had a conversation with one of Mercedes’ rivals and received this insight. They feel Mercedes have two specs ready for the 2019 season and would be making a choice on the go, depending on the track.

“Very interesting chat this morning with one of Merc’s major rivals. Their thinking is that this week’s W10 isn’t an upgrade package but an alternate Spec. Believe the team could be considering running 2 concepts, track dependant, in 2019.” Will Buxton tweeted.

Very interesting chat this morning with one of Merc’s major rivals. Their thinking is that this week’s W10 isn’t an upgrade package but an alternate Spec. Believe the team could be considering running 2 concepts, track dependant, in 2019.

— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) February 28, 2019

If Mercedes are in fact going in with this two spec strategy for the 2019 season, it could very well mean that they could be sandbagging once again during testing.

Do you think the two spec strategy would work or make things more complicated for Mercedes?