Originally Posted by Gary_LandyFan:
“The effectiveness of the DRS depends on the downforce levels. DRS is more effective when the rear wing is producing more downforce.
The Merc's seem to be fast in Qualy, but they always seem to struggle in the race.”
The effectiveness of the DRS depends on how much of the downforce it can eliminate.
Seems like the Merc' DRS just isn't creating much of a benefit.
In quali' extra downforce means extra corner speed and, thus, a better time but in a race you can't drive through corners faster when there's another car getting in the way.
Basically, for the Merc's, it's a case of getting stuck behind the car in front for most of the lap, fail to overtake on the straight and then remain stuck behind for another lap. Rinse and repeat.
And, of course, it's likely that they can't just decide to run less downforce cos that'd mean going back to burning up the tyres quicker than anybody else.