Overview
- Telemetry from Silverstone shows Mercedes drivers deliberately lift off the throttle just before the timing line to trigger a regulatory allowance that keeps higher electrical power for the run to the line.
- The method does not switch off the MGU-K but uses a rule that permits extra ERS-K reduction when the driver’s power demand becomes negative, so teams avoid the normal 50kW-per-second ramp-down.
- FIA sources told reporters the Silverstone tactic fits the current wording so long as power did not fall by more than 50kW in a single second before the lift.
- Data analysis recorded a short-term 7–8 km/h speed gain on the run to the line and timing effects worth hundredths of a second, gains that helped Kimi Antonelli secure pole in the weekend session.
- Rival teams have noticed the move and the paddock discussion is likely to prompt closer scrutiny or a rule clarification given that an earlier MGU-K shutdown version was banned after cars slowed or stopped on track for safety reasons.