Mercedes GP MGP W01

[Blackout]

Forty two

Can I suggest a tit for tat be avoided please?


I hear new front wing due but it too looks the same as barc spec.

2009 spec.

[forty-two]

Forty two

Can I suggest a tit for tat be avoided please?

Fair play.... Just looking forward to 1st practice I guess!!!

[dren]

Old diffusor, launch spec


Bahrain diffusor



Looks the same to me. Maybe the top diffusor starts more towards the front of the car than before.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

What is going on with all that aero in and by the rear tyres.

[RacingManiac]

looks carried over from Brawn last year.....DTM style triple decker winglets....

[gary1203]

Old diffusor, launch spec


Bahrain diffusor



Looks the same to me. Maybe the top diffusor starts more towards the front of the car than before.

the top corners looks rounder
and the top of the diffuser (the "bar" right next to the corner, not the top diffuser) looks more pronounced... I don't know how to describe it

[PlatinumZealot]

Of course, the best reference would be to know which lap of how long a stint they were in when they scored these times. I'm not claiming just looking at the numbers above would be conclusive.

Yet, considering that Merc have been using last year's diffuser and front wing, they are up there and my expectations for their performance in Bahrain is pretty high.

Last year's diffuser and front wing can't be all that bad. I personally don't expect the new ones to look much different. The 2009 ones were probably very good already. So I won't be surprised if the new ones are based on these you see now. The only thing that can rubbish my predictions out the window is if they bring some kinda super mammoth diffuser.

I called it right!

[PlatinumZealot]

Did you guys notice that the upper deck on the new diffuser is wider by about 3 inches?

Look on it closely. It is wider than the central portion of the diffuser. On the old version the upper diffuser was the same width as the central duct of the lower diffuser.

[dren]

It just looks that way because the new diffuser picture is at an angle and the top deck sits back further than the bottom part.

The top deck does look to have a deeper exit than what they had before.

The changes are all subtle, but I hope the help out with the lap times enough.

[dren]

The two lower inner most vertical flaps are different. The center section of the lower part of the diffuser doesn't have the curves on both sides. They are probably feeding the upper part of the diffuser better. The back side of the diffuser doesn't have to look radical as long as it has a larger volume than before and that it is better at speeding up air under the car.

[Raptor22]

The upper deck is taller, wider and starts closer to the axle line of the rear wheels.
we do not see pics from the top to show other differences

[djones]

After messing with the contrast on the images they are both identical apart form the top rectangular bit has a thicker edge.

The bits that look wider or the bits that now look straight are all to do with the camera angles.

[ringo]

for some reason the car does not seem to be as well put together like it's competitors in the top 4. I even think the Renault is much better refined but just lacking the performance.
Reason being, this car doesn't look too far of from last years car in suspension and aero.
Well i hope i am wrong, it's going to be painful seeing Shumacher being outrun by a red bull or ferrari.

Painful? Why? Sounding a bit fanboy-ish there aren't you Ringo?

Yep i admit it, Merc is not my team, but Shumacher deserves a good car after all that pre season hype.

Hopefully they show the real deal in practice.

[Fil]

Good little explanation of the MGP001 steering wheel's workings..

Link

[raceman]

Good little explanation of the MGP001 steering wheel's workings..

Link

nice link Fil, very good explanation

but I wonder if it is REALLY the steering wheel they are using on W01 as there is no digital display on it; or is it mounted on the car like Red Bull?