Mercedes W12

[NoDivergence]

Mercedes is still innovating. The floor (front and rear) development is significantly more complex (and not seen before) relative to the other contenders who have adaptations based on previous years' development. The diffuser shaping for vortices to interact with the strake vortices is very interesting too.

I do see Mercedes adopting a McLaren diffuser strake in the future.

What's very interesting is they clearly must have looked at a full 4 element upper diffuser strake, but decided to only do it at the edge for lateral diffuser expansion support. Wonder why they didn't do it for the rest of the width? One thought is that the vertical central rectangular section under the gearbox is being used to create more suction behind to encourage the other slots (and diffuser). As for the rest of the section between the gearbox to the edge, they may not be trying to work the airflow as hard, potentially as a result of the suspension positioning.

[NoDivergence]

Will be really interesting to see the final pecking order by Bahrain GP.

[NoDivergence]

Mercedes is still innovating. The floor (front and rear) development is significantly more complex (and not seen before) relative to the other contenders who have adaptations based on previous years' development. The diffuser shaping for vortices to interact with the strake vortices is very interesting too.

I do see Mercedes adopting a McLaren diffuser strake in the future.

What's very interesting is they clearly must have looked at a full 4 element upper diffuser flap, but decided to only do it at the edge for lateral diffuser expansion support. Wonder why they didn't do it for the rest of the width? One thought is that the vertical central rectangular section under the gearbox is being used to create more suction behind to encourage the other flaps (and central diffuser section). As for the rest of the section between the gearbox to the edge, they may not be trying to work the airflow as hard, potentially as a result of the suspension positioning.

[balalev]

A little bit modificated cape (and maybe nose) on Hamilton's car.

[edgelo]

Impressive that floor. I wonder if all that fins to get tyre squirt away wont stole some air from the top of the diffuser.

Anyway, IMO that area is not the toughest for other teams to copy.

[NoDivergence]

Impressive that floor. I wonder if all that fins to get tyre squirt away wont stole some air from the top of the diffuser.

Anyway, IMO that area is not the toughest for other teams to copy.

Not sure, whole flowfield is different at that area due to the front floor detail

[NoDivergence]

Impressive that floor. I wonder if all that fins to get tyre squirt away wont stole some air from the top of the diffuser.

Anyway, IMO that area is not the toughest for other teams to copy.

The preservation of the diffuser underside flow is way more important than upper diffuser flow.

[edgelo]

The preservation of the diffuser underside flow is way more important than upper diffuser flow.

Agree, but the inner flow over the floor is also important to control the sides of the diffuser. Good to keep it energized, i think.

It’s all about the apparent simplicity of the other teams floor. I’m surprised that they have not worked more on that area.

[OO7]

I'm not sure if the following is a reflection or actual diffuser shaping:

[DiogoBrand]

From that aero rake fitted to the rear it's interesting to see how much outwash the diffuser creates. If the air actually follows the angle of the fins, then it means it actually creates more outwash than upwash.

[RZS10]

It's a shadow on the sky's reflection on the diffuser shape

[OO7]

Behind the small humped red line I drew on the outer portion of the diffuser, there appears to be a thin panel line/join that mirrors the profile of that drawn hump.

[OO7]

Another angle:

[lio007]

Anybody else noticed the different colors of the rear suspension arms?

[ScrewCaptain27]

Apparently there is a channel underneath the gearbox similar to the one found on the Ferrari.

Link to article (Italian):https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-me ... a/5700445/