Mercedes AMG F1 W03 (pre-launch speculation)

[MercAMGF1Fans]

Because Daimler probably xpressd that with amount of investment, MGP better deliver, win or bust if you like.

this interview from Jock and Michael says alot about what went wrong since 2009 after the dream ticket.
http://youtu.be/flLCTmZpY0g

[munudeges]

Because Daimler probably xpressd that with amount of investment, MGP better deliver, win or bust if you like.

Indeed. Apparently Mercedes have managed to poach a few staff from other teams because their monetary packages are rather impressive at the moment.

[elf341]

this interview from Jock and Michael says alot about what went wrong since 2009 after the dream ticket.
http://youtu.be/flLCTmZpY0g

+1

Very interesting interview. I also note that Jock Clear said that their windtunnel use typically yields half a tenth (0.050 sec) aero improvements on a weekly basis. So one might presume that delaying the entire process by two weeks Mercedes has taken the decision to balance a risk of reduced reliability from less testing, for an extra tenth of a second a lap.

[MercAMGF1Fans]

this interview from Jock and Michael says alot about what went wrong since 2009 after the dream ticket.
http://youtu.be/flLCTmZpY0g

+1

Very interesting interview. I also note that Jock Clear said that their windtunnel use typically yields half a tenth (0.050 sec) aero improvements on a weekly basis. So one might presume that delaying the entire process by two weeks Mercedes has taken the decision to balance a risk of reduced reliability from less testing, for an extra tenth of a second a lap.

exactly, and it looks like they're going for a "stereo-typically" GERMAN approach (no offence to anyone German) in the sense that there will not be a "half-arse job" took that straight from Topgear.

[marcush.]

how many races were won without rear pull rod in 2011? how many points? Still All teams and technical people say there is practically nothing in the idea per se....
so just why have all chosen to go throu that exercise....monkey see monkey do?

I just think we have not see ´much new in front suspension design apart fromt low level steering racks on the renaults and BGP001..If you can slim down the cross section of that bar between the front wheels that is a major contribution to flow in a most critical area as it is exactly in the area that has shown potential when raising the nose (for reducing the convergence of flow between the front wheels and tub).Best for aero would be not to have any suspension links in that area,right?

[Ozan]

guys there has been no updates or news about the front wing F-duct. what do you think of this ? also I saw our front wing design has been mostly the same since 2009-2010.

[Hemsy]

I know that I will get a lot of grilling for this post yet will go ahead with it regardless. I don't think Mercedes are gonna lose out a lot if they miss the first test. On the contrary it's seems like a very calculated move. For one they did not announce their decision a few days before the first test but rather well in advance. This clearly indicates that it's not due to any production delays or anything but just a very calculated move at maximizing time in the wind tunnel to arrive at the second test with a move developed car. Last year they tested their final aero package at the very last test, half of which was washed out. So they arrived at Melbourne with practically a b-spec car with little to no testing done on it. Ross clearly stated that they were looking to avoid the same mistake this year by turning up with a more developed car, one which is very close to the one which they will racing at Melbourne so that they hit the ground with their feet running come the start of the season. Also more testing is paramount when there are major changes in the rules like last season with a new tire manufacturer plus the introduction of DRS. This is the same reason that even Red Bull, who usually show up with their new car only at the second pre-season test, turned up with the RB8 at the first test. With the regulation remaining fairly stable plus Mercedes already having tested the new exhausts in the young driver's test, I don't see it as a reason to panic but rather be optimistic.

[MercAMGF1Fans]

I know that I will get a lot of grilling for this post yet will go ahead with it regardless. I don't think Mercedes are gonna lose out a lot if they miss the first test. On the contrary it's seems like a very calculated move. For one they did not announce their decision a few days before the first test but rather well in advance. This clearly indicates that it's not due to any production delays or anything but just a very calculated move at maximizing time in the wind tunnel to arrive at the second test with a move developed car. Last year they tested their final aero package at the very last test, half of which was washed out. So they arrived at Melbourne with practically a b-spec car with little to no testing done on it. Ross clearly stated that they were looking to avoid the same mistake this year by turning up with a more developed car, one which is very close to the one which they will racing at Melbourne so that they hit the ground with their feet running come the start of the season. Also more testing is paramount when there are major changes in the rules like last season with a new tire manufacturer plus the introduction of DRS. This is the same reason that even Red Bull, who usually show up with their new car only at the second pre-season test, turned up with the RB8 at the first test. With the regulation remaining fairly stable plus Mercedes already having tested the new exhausts in the young driver's test, I don't see it as a reason to panic but rather be optimistic.

Totally AGREED!

[jav]

I know that I will get a lot of grilling for this post yet will go ahead with it regardless. I don't think Mercedes are gonna lose out a lot if they miss the first test. On the contrary it's seems like a very calculated move. For one they did not announce their decision a few days before the first test but rather well in advance. This clearly indicates that it's not due to any production delays or anything but just a very calculated move at maximizing time in the wind tunnel to arrive at the second test with a move developed car. Last year they tested their final aero package at the very last test, half of which was washed out. So they arrived at Melbourne with practically a b-spec car with little to no testing done on it. Ross clearly stated that they were looking to avoid the same mistake this year by turning up with a more developed car, one which is very close to the one which they will racing at Melbourne so that they hit the ground with their feet running come the start of the season. Also more testing is paramount when there are major changes in the rules like last season with a new tire manufacturer plus the introduction of DRS. This is the same reason that even Red Bull, who usually show up with their new car only at the second pre-season test, turned up with the RB8 at the first test. With the regulation remaining fairly stable plus Mercedes already having tested the new exhausts in the young driver's test, I don't see it as a reason to panic but rather be optimistic.

No grilling from me, I would normally agree had it not been for 2009 & 2010 seasons. I'm sure they "beleive" the are making the best decision for them and we may never know the if the reasons given publically are the "real" reasons for the course.

Certainly- with only 3 tests this year, any of which could be washed out, choosing to miss 1 of 3 seems questionable. If test 2 or 3 (or both) get washed out, their choice will be proven foolish. Given their recent history of starting developing earlier than their faster peers, that they won't be ready for test one when others will, calls into question the benefit of extra development when clear relative results have not been acheived by so doing... at least as far as the "old" team went.

Perhaps things have changed. I certainly hope they have. But I've heard all this before from this team and I won't be lulled into optomism until their results more closely match their rederic. Trust and respect are earned- not easily given for mere words cheapened by a record that fell short of past promise.

[MIKEY_!]

how many races were won without rear pull rod in 2011? how many points? Still All teams and technical people say there is practically nothing in the idea per se....

Probably not the best example since RBR were so dominant. Anyway the teams have nothing to gain by admitting (if indeed it's true) that pull rod is better, in fact if they can mislead the other teams and delay their development a little they have gained something.

[marcush.]

you could read everything and nothing into the fact of pullrod gaining dominance .For years ,almost decades everyone went for pushrod and all of a sudden Newey changed his concept and everyone followed..
If there is a major advantage coming from the Newey style pushrod,obviously nobody else really understood what it is.

as for the missed first test and early announcement..sure the very moment you change your plan-change the car - your timing is bust ,so telling the world you will miss the first test is a matter of when to tell the public without creating a uproar ...and they did right to come up with those news early.It does not really change the fact that losing 25% of runtime preseason is never going to be an advantage.
As we have seen all teams struggle to come up with product quality level already satisfactory in the first races (RB struggling with KERS,Mclaren too big radiators,MB cooling marginal in all areas etc etc..all these things will have an impact on your on track performance and compromise reliabilty ..so being late is ok just when you are either sure your new product is miles ahead of the opposition or you are doing only refinements of your proven design and you actually know your beast already .

[Mr.S]

If Mercedes & willis have a killer idea then no problems. If they have the 3rd or 4th fastest car then it even more disadvantageous. My point is wouldn't you work extra hours if needed & get the car ready to enable more running,understanding & getting the optimum set-up ready for a car which is not the quickest. That is just my side of the view.

If Mercedes have a quick car out of the box with some innovative idea which they dont want to share then fine. Cool,job well done.

[Morteza]

If Mercedes & willis have a killer idea then no problems. If they have the 3rd or 4th fastest car then it even more disadvantageous. My point is wouldn't you work extra hours if needed & get the car ready to enable more running,understanding & getting the optimum set-up ready for a car which is not the quickest. That is just my side of the view.

If Mercedes have a quick car out of the box with some innovative idea which they dont want to share then fine. Cool,job well done.

The thing is that we can only speculate now. We can take nothing for granted. Willis had done well before in BAR/Honda disguise of the current team. He might have brought sth innovative to the design of W03. But does losing the first test give you enough time of development for applying the idea or finalizing it?

[Timstr]

Twitter:

@f1enigma
Dimi PAPADOPOULOS
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Marco Fainello, Head of Vehicle Dynamics at Ferrari is on gardening and could he on his way to Merced ...

[Morteza]

Twitter:

@f1enigma
Dimi PAPADOPOULOS
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Marco Fainello, Head of Vehicle Dynamics at Ferrari is on gardening and could he on his way to Merced ...

Ross Brawn is gathering his old pals?