Mercedes AMG F1 W03 (pre-launch speculation)

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

If the balance of grip next year shift rearwards in terms of the tyres you'd want more weight at the rear no? So as to reduce a bit of the understeer

Hence my line of questioning Espi. Just wanted to know how and why.

[raymondu999]

Could it be that maybe their weight distribution is now too far back, even for 2012 tyres?

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Could it be that maybe their weight distribution is now too far back, even for 2012 tyres?

I would have thought they factored that in.

But isn't it weird that Pirelli only now are finalising 2012 tyres when most the cars are near complete?

[Pierce89]

If the balance of grip next year shift rearwards in terms of the tyres you'd want more weight at the rear no? So as to reduce a bit of the understeer

Yes that's the general line of reasoning. Weight dist and grip dist. should be fairly close.

[Ferraripilot]

I noticed when w02 was testing the new exhaust config that it had a cowling mounted around it as opposed to Williams which simply ran the pipe exposed. Will there be any aerodynamic advantage to forming perhaps a multi element exhaust pipe cover? Or would this configuration sap too much airflow from the beam wing where it could make better use of the flow

[ESPImperium]

Pirelli are making the shoulder of their rear tires more squarer, ive heard that it will require the teams to carry more camber than before, but this isn't what Pirelli want, they want less camber, and the only way they can get more weight over the rear of the car is battery movement.

As for the weight distrubution, its fixed at 291-342 yes. However there are cars out there that are faster all because they re heavier, not by much, they may be at 300-345 as a bias for instance. They are heavier so they can have plenty of bias to get the Pirellis swiched on the way the way they want. The weight bias was to be for 2011, but has been carried over for 2012 for one more year before they open it back for 2013 the last year of the 13.3" diameter wheels are believed to be in before the cars get 16" diameter wheels to bring the times back and make F1 tire technology more road relevant.

The W02 is the most legal car with regards to weight bias, however has the EBD which bring back time from the team.

The W03 will be a good car, they are doing things early enough so they can get the car on to the 7 post rig and use up the teams remaining 2011 straight-line days when they trade them for full scale wind tunnel use, which means that for 4 hours Sam Bird will be in the car not doing anything but for creating a aerodynamic influence with his helmet. I believe Mercedes only used 1 straight-line day so that means they have 3 remaining days, so 12 hours of tunnel testing full scale will be available.

This will be even more helpful for the team as they can get better data from the off, and also be able to change the car if the numbers arent what they are expecting before Jerez on Feb 7th. If the numbers are what they want or better, it gives even more time for fine tuning.

[FrukostScones]

We have some credible information on the W03.

Sam bird has spilled a few beans on it. First off the chassis and rear suspension were completed back in September. The car itself has been fine tuned since then.
Finally he intimates the car will be very "radicle". Going further to intimate an "innovative" radiator layout.

I'm not really sure mercedes need "radicle" right now. If it works bang out the blocks, then fine. But precedent suggests the team may miss something and a set back will halt development until the setback is nullified.

And "innovative" radiator layout? This means the double rads are probably history. Did mercedes stumble across something whole looking to fix the W02 cooling problems?

and I thought the new McLaren would feature a very innovative radiator-layout aka jumpjet-styled ones? maybe conni was talking about MercGP?

[dren]

jumpjet? You mean a Harrier? Can you explain more on the jumpjet radiator layout you have in mind?

[volarchico]

See the MP4-27 thread regarding conni's insider info and F1T's ensuing speculation:

viewtopic.php?p=278863#p278863

[raymondu999]

Having said that doesn't Bob Bell have a track record of going more for safety rather than going for an outlandish design?

[shelly]

We have some credible information on the W03.

Sam bird has spilled a few beans on it. First off the chassis and rear suspension were completed back in September. The car itself has been fine tuned since then.

That sets the discussion we had at the beginning of October about the car being in its conceptual stage or the chassis being already built, and the impact of Costa, Willis on the concept

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Indeed shelly.

Which lead to a question I asked earlier last week.

Why do teams go so early on development when Pirelli is only finalising the 2012 tyre now?

[shelly]

Because they have production lead times to deal with.

[Richard]

Because they have to?

All engineering is about evolving a design. None of us can sit around waiting for conditions to be fixed before commencing design, we have to start with what we've got and evolve it as more detailed information arrives.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Hmm

So if your pushing the boat out and get stung, it's actually understandable then.
I'm hoping the team have made provision for the the stiffer rear tyre walls next year.