Mercedes GP MGP W01

[Just_a_fan]

28.7 a)One specification of each of the following parts must be homologated prior to the first Event of the Championship season :
- survival cell ;
- principal and second roll structures ;
- front, rear and side impact structures ;
- front wheel ;
- rear wheel.
Once homologated, changes to the these parts will only be permitted for clear safety or reliability reasons following written approval from the FIA.

According to AMuS, Mercedes submitted front and rear parts for crash testing to be able to implement the changes to the front axle and rear axle/gearbox.

In light of this, how should we read the above?
Especially the bit that says 'One specificaton'. At first I assumed the parts were submitted just before the start of the season (I read a rumor somewhere about that). But now I don't see how the rule would allow this.

"Specification" is very different to "design". In a sport where the meaning of words is all important that difference is like a wide open door...

[Timstr]

Interesting point. I can see how this could be a typical case of F1 rule book semantics. Still, one can argue that any change to the front bulkhead means the part is of a different specification. Even if only the suspension mounting points are changed.

[autogyro]

There are ways to get permission for changes if essential through the FIA, even in todays tight regulations. Unfortunately, because of that stupid vested interest disaster FOTA, if Ferrari feels it would upset the number of bottles of milk delivered at Marenelo for tea breaks, they will get it stopped.

[PlatinumZealot]

Those rules should not be a roadblock for Mercedes methinks.

Look on the parts:

Survival cell,

Side structures

Roll structure..

The Front and Rear wheels.

bah..These parts should be good enough for the rest of the season, they won't impact the performance gain of the car that much. The chassis is important in certain respects for sure, but I doubt the mercedez one is rubbish. And the chassis Moment of Inertia should be good already and centre of gravity is so low and centralized, it's hard to improve it significantly from that point. If we are talking about ergonomics and different mounting points or making the chassis lighter, new cross-section for the base of the nose etc.. that's a different story.. but In terms of the behavioral characteristics of the car which are what are affecting Schumacher right now, I think the basics like modifying the gas tank (somehow without changing the cell?), transmission and suspension and creating new aerodynamics should really be the focus. You know, correcting what you have or even implementing new and improved designs. I dunno...sort of restating what has been said already..

[Ganxxta]

According to AMuS they are going to increase the wheelbase of the W01 by putting the front-suspension a bit forward. But that would result in a redesign of more or less the whole car concerning the aero. They also seem to reroute the rear suspension in order to make room for a bigger DDD.

Maybe thats the reason why they still use 2009 style FW and DDD, they saw the problems during wintertesting and decided to develop these parts directly for the revised car and introduced only exhaust coverings which they can reuse with the new wheelbase etc. ... Just thinking...

[marcush.]

funny enough in that piece brawn is quoted for admitting to shifting too much weight towards the rear...
they have wrongly judged the effects of harder rear compounds and the new front tyre dimensions .

A change in wheel base due to a change of wishbone layout would surely not demand a new survival cell .So no issue there .
the big question would be if they need to have a new nosecone ,as their drooping nose design moves the low part of the nose more between the front tyres then .to move the front wing forward a few inches should not really be a major problem then.
but if force india can come up with a new nosecone ...

[JohnsonEvilTwin]

So the updates Mercedes will be bringing are indeed comprehensive.

The Front wing and DDiffuser are evolutions of last years car, whereas all its competitors have changed more dramatically.
I was of the logic it would have happened sooner, But, I was not aware that Mercedes GP are currently running under NEXT YEARS resource restriction rules.
Less Manpower will obviously have an adverse effect in getting updates ready especially as big as the one mooted for Barcelona.

China will bring no surprises but all eyes will be on what they can produce in Barca.

[marcush.]

So the updates Mercedes will be bringing are indeed comprehensive.

The Front wing and DDiffuser are evolutions of last years car, whereas all its competitors have changed more dramatically.
I was of the logic it would have happened sooner, But, I was not aware that Mercedes GP are currently running under NEXT YEARS resource restriction rules.
Less Manpower will obviously have an adverse effect in getting updates ready especially as big as the one mooted for Barcelona.

China will bring no surprises but all eyes will be on what they can produce in Barca.

I do not see the restrictions on man power or money as a means of stopping them to produce good updates in short time.
Don´t forget they actually have all the necessary skill and machinery to do the work ,so in effect all they have to do is concentrate on the best and applicable
ideas and not waste time on interims solutions or follow up routes they are not
entirely convinced of being effective..
I feel that with more recources open you will tend to look also into unlikely areas
just to make sure you don´t miss something or optimise in areas were theres not much left to gain.
so in effect it hinges more on a precise analysis of the current problem and a good definition just where to concentrate the effort.
Force India seems to make a very good job in this lately for example.

[ggajic]

Longer wheelbase means they are admitting that weight distribution is bad and are trying to move it from back to front. However, this will require new survival cell and I suppose complete redesign of front.

[PNSD]

Survival cell is homologated I think.. So are all crash structures.

[raceman]

Survival cell is homologated I think.. So are all crash structures.

Right. So if they want to change anything now, it will have to undergo all FIA crash tests first before being confirmed!

lotsa time and money..... , but worth final race positions if successful

[bugref]

looks like i am going to watch F1 in barca then, I believe the china will only give same result for schumacher...

but according to yallaf1.com major B specs will be introduce in china but i dont know maybe this source is crappy, I am still dont know the reliablity of yallaf1 source...

[marcush.]

Longer wheelbase means they are admitting that weight distribution is bad and are trying to move it from back to front. However, this will require new survival cell and I suppose complete redesign of front.

no it is quite simple with a diffrent layout of the front wishbones there is a t least 2to 3 inches of wb gain possible.

the wake of the front tyres will have different influence on the flow over and around the sidepods ,especially during cornering, but obviously they lack in this area anyways (with downforce) so there is good chance they will improve the whole situation by moving the tyres away from the sidepods.
Of course they will gain planview area of the plank with this move as the plank 7splitter can be elongated the same amount as the increase of WB ,combined with
a litle less change in rake angle for the same vertical wheelmovements.
Obviously the front wing has to move forward with the tyres..so if it would be enough to come up with new wingsupports is at least questionable.

[Pierce89]

There are ways to get permission for changes if essential through the FIA, even in todays tight regulations. Unfortunately, because of that stupid vested interest disaster FOTA, if Ferrari feels it would upset the number of bottles of milk delivered at Marenelo for tea breaks, they will get it stopped.

You're constant attacks on the Scuderia are beginning to look like jealousy, sour grapes etc.

[Pierce89]

So the updates Mercedes will be bringing are indeed comprehensive.

The Front wing and DDiffuser are evolutions of last years car, whereas all its competitors have changed more dramatically.
I was of the logic it would have happened sooner, But, I was not aware that Mercedes GP are currently running under NEXT YEARS resource restriction rules.
Less Manpower will obviously have an adverse effect in getting updates ready especially as big as the one mooted for Barcelona.

China will bring no surprises but all eyes will be on what they can produce in Barca.

We would all like a source on the claim that MGP are running under next years RRA rules. I can't see a team of that level tying one arm behind their back.