Mercedes AMG F1 W03 (pre-launch speculation)

[MercAMGF1Fans]

More on the Mercedes hydraulic suspension...

The engineer most likely responsible for it is Rob Tuluie, he was at Renault when they developed their hydraulic interlinked suspension in 2009. His work on the front to rear interlinking lead to the discovery of the inertance of the fluid in the long lines and hence to the Fluid Inerter patent. Tuluie has since left Renault for Mercedes.

Renault as well as Ferrari and Marussia have these systems. While I know Williams other teams are looking at this, as are other teams if they do not already have it.

It interlinks front to rear, the main gain is the reduction in nose down pitch from aero loads or under braking. something not achievable in a practical way with mechanical suspension links. This gain is to allow lower static front wing ride heights, that do not degrade with speed or weight transfer.

So effectively it's "RIDE HEIGHT CONTROL"?

[scarbs]

So effectively it's "RIDE HEIGHT CONTROL"?

Yes

[MercAMGF1Fans]

So effectively it's "RIDE HEIGHT CONTROL"?

Yes

Nice one! we need more innovative systems like this

[xpensive]

For as much as my humble opinion is worth, could we hope for a hydraulic push-rod rear suspension on the W03?

[scarbs]

For as much as my humble opinion is worth, could we hope for a hydraulic push-rod rear suspension on the W03?

Why pushrod?

[xpensive]

Because a push-rod makes mechanical and geometrical sense, specifically when aerodynamic rear is not that important anymore, besides Costa is on to it

[ringo]

It's even more important now IMO.

[Tyler]

It's even more important now IMO.

I would have thought the same thing.
What are your reasons for thinking an aerodynamic rear is less important now?

[NonNewtonic]

Indeed aerodynamic is one of the main part where teams are pushing hard nowdays as its cheaper to develop and it will result in more time gain

[xpensive]

With the new rules for next year, I doubt if a pull-rod will make sense.

[FrukostScones]

With the new rules for next year, I doubt if a pull-rod will make sense.

Diffuser rules stay the same as far as I now. Only the exhaust blowing is banned.
Pull-rod was introduced to RB5 because of the new Diffuser regs in 2009, making beam wing and top of the diffuser so important etc.
It was one of the reasons RB5 was the best non Double-Diffuser car in 2009. In 2010 DD was allowed, so teams did not have to switch to pull-rod necessaryly. In 2011 without DD most of the teams went for a pull-rod.
I bet that in 2012 we will see only very few push-rod rear suspensions.

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/2009/0/626.html

[xpensive]

I beg to differ, I believe that Costa will change things as we knew them.

[NewtonMeter]

I beg to differ, I believe that Costa will change things as we knew them.

Don't you think costa's arrival is a tad late for something as fundamental as a complete change in rear suspension geometry?

It will probably affect:
CoG
Rear aerodynamics
- impacting on CoP
- if neccesary, associated design modifications of front aero
Gearbox casing
- structural design modifications
- drive train design modifications
Rear wheel upright design
- associated drive train design
- associated braking system design
Tyre usage
- this in turn will probably affect ballast distribution
- in turn affecting ballast placement positions and associated redesign

That's off the top of my head. I think it's a helluva undertaking for a project so close to the deadline, don't you think?

[Hemsy]

I beg to differ, I believe that Costa will change things as we knew them.

Don't you think costa's arrival is a tad late for something as fundamental as a complete change in rear suspension geometry?

It will probably affect:
CoG
Rear aerodynamics
- impacting on CoP
- if neccesary, associated design modifications of front aero
Gearbox casing
- structural design modifications
- drive train design modifications
Rear wheel upright design
- associated drive train design
- associated braking system design
Tyre usage
- this in turn will probably affect ballast distribution
- in turn affecting ballast placement positions and associated redesign

That's off the top of my head. I think it's a helluva undertaking for a project so close to the deadline, don't you think?

This!

[Dragonfly]

No matter what changes they make or do not make, I don't like the fact that they're going to miss the first test session. I'm sick already of their "unique" approach every year.