turbof1 wrote:Looks like increased MGU-H harvesting? I can't really explain why else speed would drop without DRS closing, lifting throttle or braking.
It might be a tactic to save engine life.
Posted this elsewhere after Bahrain:
What happens at the end of the straight might be a tactic rather than an issue. Basically running the MGU-K in generator mode before going off-throttle in order to harvest more energy. Mercedes confirmed this winter that deployment and harvesting strategy is vital to the performance of the power unit. The car keeps track of steering, braking and throttle inputs from the driver and knows at any moment in time were it is on track, and thus is able to apply the pre-programmed deployment/harvest strategy. Ferrari might intentionally harvest additional energy at the end of each straight when in clean air without cars in near proximity.
The reason for this could be to cover a (build-in) deficiency of the MGU-H. In harvest mode the motor generator unit harvest energy at the cost of slight back pressure counteracting the ICE. There is a balance to be had, between electrical power generated and power-loss at the crankshaft caused by back pressure. In order to reach the power output they strive for, Ferrari might run the MGU-H "lean", meaning slightly less electric power is generated, while more power is generated by the ICE because of less back pressure. This would optimize peak power output as long as the generated energy lasts to power the MGU-K. In order to be apply the MGU-K at each acceleration zone, they might just need some extra energy which they cannot or do not want to generate with the MGU-H, thus using the -K in generator mode at the end of the straight.