Mercedes W17

[Lasssept]

inst omwatw_photography

[AR3-GP]

Radiator mounting visible in the 2nd picture.

[Lasssept]

Motorsport Italy

[AR3-GP]

[AR3-GP]

Motorsport Italy


https://cdn.motorsport.com/images/mgl/Y ... rato-.webp

https://cdn.motorsport.com/images/mgl/0 ... fondo.webp

https://cdn.motorsport.com/images/mgl/2 ... cnico.webp

It's interesting to see the exposed wheel spokes. I think they trying to promote heat transfer from the wheel rim to the air. The rim supplier this year is OZ Racing (also partnered with RBR).

[Snelbaard]

Those are actually wheel covers that are just shaped to resemble spokes, they are not the actual spokes themselves.

[AR3-GP]

Those are actually wheel covers that are just shaped to resemble spokes, they are not the actual spokes themselves.

Hmm, it does look like that now. It still possible that more heat transfer occurs. There is more surface area.

[AR3-GP]

Those are actually wheel covers that are just shaped to resemble spokes, they are not the actual spokes themselves.

On second review, I'm not convinced. It looks like a forged wheel. No cover. You can see where it has been chipped down to the bare metal by the wheel gun.

[Gridlock]

You can see the smooth, closed insides of the Mercedes wheels here @ 17:40





Unless you mean unsure whether spokes are metal or just plastic shapes

[Brahmal]

Interesting that other teams are doing novel or extreme suspension designs, while Merc is plugging along with the same old stuff

[AR3-GP]

You can see the smooth, closed insides of the Mercedes wheels here @ 17:40



https://i.postimg.cc/BQfpkn3Z/Screensho ... -35-24.png

Unless you mean unsure whether spokes are metal or just plastic shapes

Yes I think the spokes are metal and not plastic shapes. There is no reason to invent plastic spokes. They are heavier than a flat cover.

[Farnborough]

Those are actually wheel covers that are just shaped to resemble spokes, they are not the actual spokes themselves.

On second review, I'm not convinced. It looks like a forged wheel. No cover. You can see where it has been chipped down to the bare metal by the wheel gun.

Agree the "spokes" are likely to be metal.

Appears to be anti-seize compound they use to prevent "galling" between nut and wheel materials. Remember Bottas Monaco ?
It's, or feels like, silicone grease + graphite to avoid this eventuality.
Here, looks to be centrifuged out of the joint face.

[AR3-GP]

Front wheel rim, also spoked (AMUS pictures).

[SB15]

Interesting that other teams are doing novel or extreme suspension designs, while Merc is plugging along with the same old stuff

The W15 & W16 ultimately had the suspension geometry that Mercedes would likely carry over for the now W17. They maybe the only team who didn't change the geometry for the last 2 years.

[AR3-GP]

It's not all the same. The bottom leg is much further back on the front suspension. the livery lines are also very similar, so the upper rear arm is lower in the 2026 car.