MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff is confident his team have ironed out their bouncing problems from last season.
Wolff watched as the W14 took to the track in Bahrain for pre-season testing today when there was no repeat of the porpoising that had plagued their previous model and left drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in considerable discomfort.
Hamilton went winless for the first time in his F1 career last season while Russell won just once late in the year in Sao Paulo.
Wolff had been hesitant to speak about this year's model until it hit the track but says he was pleased with what he saw.
He said: "It seems to be balanced in the right way. There's no bouncing, which is good news.
"We're gathering a lot of data because that was important to correlate obviously after last year, and trying different things, so a productive first morning.
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"We knew that we were in trouble [last year], the car was just bouncing around and we really weren't able to drive it correctly. So that is very different.
"I think we have a solid base now to work from and try to optimise the car, which we haven't done yet.
"It's really just finding out are there any areas that could be a real performance hindrance like last year with the bouncing. We've just got to work through the programme."
Meanwhile, Wolff and his rival at Red Bull, Christian Horner, were unusually aligned when it came to controversial FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stepping back from his role.
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After a series of blunders, Ben Sulayem has removed himself from the day-to-day running of F1's governing body and delegated the duties to Nikolas Tombazis.
The experienced F1 designer chaired the recent F1 Commission meeting where new rules were finalised, which proved a positive decision for the team bosses.
Wolff added: "We have a structure now that is very clear. Nikolas chaired the last commission. We have a lot on the agenda, short and long term.
"What we need to try to achieve is to work together pragmatically. Lots of objectives are aligned in having the best, robust regulations and policing to put on a great show."
Red Bull boss Horner added: "For once, I agree with everything Toto said!
"It is an evolution. There are big topics that need to be dealt with, particularly 2026.
"We need to make sure the engine world, the chassis world, and the product of what we want F1 to be all aligned.
"There is enough time to do that. It needs to be a priority over the coming months."
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