2018 Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team

[Phil]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxPYrg8jj7I

Wow, epic. Makes me appreciate Mercedes winning the constructors even more than Hamilton getting his 5th. Awesome to see a team that united and happy for what they have achieved and deserved. Epic.

[Just_a_fan]

When people talk about a driver building a team around them, that's what it means. Great to see the team celebrating and showing how much it means to them - it's not just a job, it's a passion.

[Morteza]

[Sierra117]

[Just_a_fan]

So both PUs were compromised during the race. Possibility of penalties for changes in Abu Dhabi. Not that it would be a bad thing, however, for the fans - both Mercs with new PUs turned up to 11 and going flat out. What's not to like about that?

[Phil]

I'd rather see them battle with the RedBulls and Ferraris up front than seeing them pass by some midfield cars.

[LM10]

So both PUs were compromised during the race. Possibility of penalties for changes in Abu Dhabi. Not that it would be a bad thing, however, for the fans - both Mercs with new PUs turned up to 11 and going flat out. What's not to like about that?

PU turned up and going flat out would not change much if they start from back, I assume. They would easily pass the midfield cars, but the limitating factor would then be tyre degradation.

[Just_a_fan]

I guess it depends on what the guys at the front are doing. If they're on "old" engines then the Mercedes in full on party mode could be quick enough to take an extra pit stop and still be back up with the front end. They'd certainly be past the back and mid field cars within a handful of laps - Abu Dhabi has several overtaking opportunities for someone in qualifying mode vs race mode.

I'd rather see them battle with the RedBulls and Ferraris up front than seeing them pass by some midfield cars.

If they run the Brazil PUs, they won't be battling anyone.

The season is over and the regs change a bit next year, so let's see what the previous generation of cars could have done if given free rein. I reckon they'd be epic.

[PhillipM]

Mercs on full beans party mode would probably get a lot more air time for the sponsors too...

[Big Tea]

I guess it depends on what the guys at the front are doing. If they're on "old" engines then the Mercedes in full on party mode could be quick enough to take an extra pit stop and still be back up with the front end. They'd certainly be past the back and mid field cars within a handful of laps - Abu Dhabi has several overtaking opportunities for someone in qualifying mode vs race mode.

I'd rather see them battle with the RedBulls and Ferraris up front than seeing them pass by some midfield cars.

If they run the Brazil PUs, they won't be battling anyone.

The season is over and the regs change a bit next year, so let's see what the previous generation of cars could have done if given free rein. I reckon they'd be epic.

Or possibly they could count on the extra % they will get to quali and start on the hardest tyre and try to run away while Farrari and RBR stop for rubber. Go long on the hardest then maximum engine on softest rubber incase anything goes wrong last few laps. The engines (and ancillaries) will not be needed after the finish line.

[Manoah2u]

Mercs on full beans party mode would probably get a lot more air time for the sponsors too...

They bagged all the championships, so they could indeed have some fun - but there are risks too.
keeping their older engines and then seeing them break down is not such a biggie knowing they have ran many miles.
they can also tune them down and accept a 3rd or 4th place finish, nobody unhappy. hell they could even do it tactical by finding a way to burn through their tires and then blame it on that.

there's another option indeed, but it's a risky move.

put in a brand new engine for the final race - not logical, but possible - and deal with the grid penalty.
indeed put them on full party mode, calculate which tires to use, and drive that engine to the max for 1 race,
within the regulations.

it could bring a superbly fast machine, but here's the thing: there's also quite the risk that it goes kaboom.
and a brand new engine breaking down is not a positive image for Mercedes.You could also wonder whether taking the grid penalty is worth putting the engine all the way up and still risk getting beaten by Ferrari or RedBull..

So i think they just will use an engine they have used before during the season and put it in the safest mode possible, and save hot laps for Q3.

Then just leave it to keeping the engine in the safest mode possible, use tire tactics, and hope for some incidents, safety car situations and some bad luck for the competition.

[Jolle]

Mercs on full beans party mode would probably get a lot more air time for the sponsors too...

They bagged all the championships, so they could indeed have some fun - but there are risks too.
keeping their older engines and then seeing them break down is not such a biggie knowing they have ran many miles.
they can also tune them down and accept a 3rd or 4th place finish, nobody unhappy. hell they could even do it tactical by finding a way to burn through their tires and then blame it on that.

there's another option indeed, but it's a risky move.

put in a brand new engine for the final race - not logical, but possible - and deal with the grid penalty.
indeed put them on full party mode, calculate which tires to use, and drive that engine to the max for 1 race,
within the regulations.

it could bring a superbly fast machine, but here's the thing: there's also quite the risk that it goes kaboom.
and a brand new engine breaking down is not a positive image for Mercedes.You could also wonder whether taking the grid penalty is worth putting the engine all the way up and still risk getting beaten by Ferrari or RedBull..

So i think they just will use an engine they have used before during the season and put it in the safest mode possible, and save hot laps for Q3.

Then just leave it to keeping the engine in the safest mode possible, use tire tactics, and hope for some incidents, safety car situations and some bad luck for the competition.

Taking ten world titles with only one or two engine penalties over five seasons is very good marketing!

[Just_a_fan]

it could bring a superbly fast machine, but here's the thing: there's also quite the risk that it goes kaboom.
and a brand new engine breaking down is not a positive image for Mercedes.You could also wonder whether taking the grid penalty is worth putting the engine all the way up and still risk getting beaten by Ferrari or RedBull..

Not much risk really. If it goes pop or they get beaten they just say "we were having fun to celebrate out fifth consecutive constructors' title" or "we let the drivers play and enjoy themselves as a 'well done' for the season". It's hardly bad marketing to show a playful side after having already won the prizes.

When you've beaten the opposition in to the middle of next week, there is little to be lost from putting on a bit of a show.

[NL_Fer]

Yeah a one race motor would be pretty cool, but they would go the safest way i guess:

Take the worst of the two for friday practice.
Swap overnight and use the better one for Q and race, skipping FP3 and only 3 hotlaps for the whole Q to save milage.

[F1Krof]

Will we see the new wheel hub components being used in Abu Dhabi since they've clinched their WCs?