Alexander Wurz: "Mercedes rivals have no party mode"

  • Published on 27 Mar 2018 12:32
  • comments 7
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Alex Wurz has weighed into the debate about Mercedes' supposed engine "party mode". After Lewis Hamilton dominated qualifying in Melbourne, some said it was because his car features a "party mode" button that Mercedes' F1 customers and rivals do not have.

That is despite the fact that, prior to the start of the 2018 season, the FIA clarified that engine suppliers must provide identical equipment to their customers. But former driver and now GPDA president Wurz says it's not quite that simple. "Mercedes has developed a system that allows them to go beyond the performance limits of their equipment," the Austrian told the ORF broadcaster. "The other manufacturers do not dare or have not developed such engine maps."

Wurz said the special map will be used only rarely, for instance at the end of qualifying. It was apparently also deployed by Cosworth back in 2006. "Later, many Cosworth engineers changed to Mercedes, and I'm sure that played a major role in developing this sensational Mercedes turbo engine," he explained. (GMM)

'cept this isnt really cheating. They are just turning up their engines when need arises.

  • 1
  • Mar 27 2018 - 20:13

Replies (7)

Login to reply
  • ...and neither do the Merc customer teams.

    • + 0
    • Mar 27 2018 - 15:08
  • JCF1

    Posts: 27

    "Mercedes has developed a system that allows them to go beyond the performance limits of their equipment..."

    ...and Bottas sure did.

    • + 0
    • Mar 27 2018 - 18:01
  • reg

    Posts: 162

    Well as with the Aussies in Cricket, cheating obviously prevails!

    • + 0
    • Mar 27 2018 - 18:57
    • 'cept this isnt really cheating. They are just turning up their engines when need arises.

      • + 1
      • Mar 27 2018 - 20:13
  • I don't understand why this has suddenly become a big deal. Engine mappings are not a new thing in Formula 1. If other manufacturers think it's beneficial to have a special quali mode, they should develop it.

    • + 0
    • Mar 27 2018 - 22:23
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    It's not just engine mapping there will be more involved most probably an different component that is not used the same way as in normal mode. We won't find out how this mode works but it's quick.

    • + 0
    • Mar 28 2018 - 00:16
  • reg

    Posts: 162

    Well they are supposed to supply identical engines to their customers,.
    They (all engine manufacturers) have to use standard ECUs supplied by McLaren.
    So they must have found a way of over riding something and are no supplying this to their customers '- thats cheating methinks!

    • + 0
    • Mar 28 2018 - 10:30

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,344
  • Podiums 131
  • Grand Prix 205
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Tewin, United Kingdom
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar