Mercedes AMG F1 W04 (pre-launch speculation)

[k.ko100v]

IMO, Mercedes throw the season after Valencia, despite the 3rd place of Schumacher. The reason why i think that, is the decision, to use a low DF front wing. That speaks for problems with the balance or with the tyres, lack of rear downforce and etc. Next races - GB, Germany, Hungary, most of them are High DF tracks, but the front wing is still low DF (maybe with greater AOA, but still speaks for something wrong). After those races, the development is near to zero. The season is lost. And their eyes, are ahead to 2013.
But I can not figure, how over 300 engineers go to work at Brakley, and do nothing!

I am optimistic about W04. Тhe staffs are there, the tunnel, the tools. They can build a fast car, but we don`t know if they will?

[PlatinumZealot]

Very good review by Kieth Collantine. http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/01/14/m ... prospects/

The highlight for me was when he said Mercedes had a 3.8 average grid position for the 1st half of the season, but dropped down to 9.x in the second half.

[jav]

I agree- excellent analysis. I also agree with the assessment that this teams development rate has been historically poor as far back as Brawn GP. I do disagree, to some extent, as to the initial strength of W03. It was strong, but I'm not sure that strength could be attributed solely to the package, or a combination of other teams weakness with respect to the new tires. Certainly, with 7 different winners in the first 7 races, something was amiss that scrambled many team's true standing.

[MercAMGF1Fans]

problem with the in season dev last year was that, as Ross said many times.. that they focused on 1 aspect (tyres) too much before moving on to the rest of the car, and as he said "with hindsight" it would have been better to work in tadem

[Cocles]

They didn't fall back with the W02 in 2011; I'm not sure where that is coming from. They maintained the gap with RB, albeit a very large gap. Lotus was the team who had development problems that season.

[aral]

They didn't fall back with the W02 in 2011; I'm not sure where that is coming from. They maintained the gap with RB, albeit a very large gap. Lotus was the team who had development problems that season.

You are right, they didn't fall back........every other team moved forward!

[jav]

They didn't fall back with the W02 in 2011; I'm not sure where that is coming from. They maintained the gap with RB, albeit a very large gap. Lotus was the team who had development problems that season.

They may have maintained a (large) time delta to RB... they did not maintain a points gap. They have lost (points) ground as each and every season progressed. In 2010 they finished 4th- 182 points shy of 3rd place. In 2011, they finsihed 4th, 210 points away from 3rd. 2012 they finished 5th- 236 points ways from 3rd.

On the basis of points, they have fallen back each and every season, and, season over season.

But you are correct, in 2011, the avg. finish for NR/MS was 9.5/11.3 respectively for the first half of the season and 9.1/12 for the second half.

[mclaren_mircea]

They should be in the mix, because Hamilton factor

[dren]

They didn't fall back with the W02 in 2011; I'm not sure where that is coming from. They maintained the gap with RB, albeit a very large gap. Lotus was the team who had development problems that season.

Yes, they had very good development that year. Just about every part worked as expected when put on the car.

[wesley123]

They didn't fall back with the W02 in 2011; I'm not sure where that is coming from. They maintained the gap with RB, albeit a very large gap. Lotus was the team who had development problems that season.

Yes, they had very good development that year. Just about every part worked as expected when put on the car.

Too bad they didnt put on so many new parts

[jav]

They didn't fall back with the W02 in 2011; I'm not sure where that is coming from. They maintained the gap with RB, albeit a very large gap. Lotus was the team who had development problems that season.

Yes, they had very good development that year. Just about every part worked as expected when put on the car.

Really?

I remember that season very differently- Remember- they opted for the super short wheel base they later hailed as a mistake becuase ... it caused very high COG- which caused packaging nightmares for cooling - which required MONTHS of experimenting with louvers, duct tape and periscopes to try and keep the temperatures down...

Oh and lets not forget the fuel capacity debacle which meant they couldn't "push" for fear of running out of fuel... which worked out, since the short wheel base and high COG was blamed for the cars going through tires like they were made of frosting.

There's plenty of articles from the time chronicling how the team seemed incapable of addressing problems and development in parallel... I'm not sure how this could be viewed as a good development year or which developments worked straight away? I guess time does favor better memories.

[FoxHound]

@jav

Why did they go for the SWB? Higher top speed was one of the reasonings.
Points to failings in the aero dept. which have and are being addressed. Can you imagine costa signing off a W02 to bell with design stipulating restricted component instilations?

[clipsy1H]

where is the photos game?? so sad no clue for Mercedes . this car will be a step forward but not for title! maybe for few wins (3-4).

[mep]

It is impressive how fast people tend to forget.

[NathanOlder]

They didn't fall back with the W02 in 2011; I'm not sure where that is coming from. They maintained the gap with RB, albeit a very large gap. Lotus was the team who had development problems that season.

Yes, they had very good development that year. Just about every part worked as expected when put on the car.

So last year had reasons, tunnel and key team members in. 2011 they maintained a performance gap. 2010 was the first year changing to MGP. So 2013 is the year!