Mercedes AMG F1 W03

[n smikle]

I guess i am not the only one who noticed that the MGP W03 was the only car which drove easily over the bump in Monaco, i think it`s somewhere around Mirabeu. They also did this with full fuel load in the race. So, although Scarbs mentioned that the suspension technology they are meant to race with is something that had been used by other teams for some years now, the MGP W03 seems to have some tweaks on it. The moment i am talking about is also mentioned in this Sky footage.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-QdCMkd ... re=related

We also did not see any lock ups in the bumpy areas of the track, something i saw a lot at Sauber`s cars for example. So, there has to be something special about the car`s suspension, as the difference is signifcant.

Yeah that is how Schumacher got pole... he sorta "cheated" half a second by doing that alone. A very clever guy.

[marcush.]

so we don´t call it mercury ..but that car has impressive suspension .Mind you only two years ago W01 was one of the worst cars in the suspension area methinks.

[vinuneuro]

The Mercedes has been very softly sprung in the front compared to others this year. Going that direction makes sense (but maybe not regarding how extreme it is) given both drivers' driving style.

Renault typically had been typically good mechanically. Maybe Bob had something to do with that.

[Ganxxta]

Yeah that is how Schumacher got pole... he sorta "cheated" half a second by doing that alone. A very clever guy.

Only problem is that the bump is in Sector 1 and he got most of his time in Sector 2

[scuderiafan]

Yeah that is how Schumacher got pole... he sorta "cheated" half a second by doing that alone. A very clever guy.

I very much doubt he gained half a second by not going around the bump.

[JMN]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

[gilgen]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

The ddrs can only be used in quali, so your argument makes no sense. See the specific thread on this matter.

[Huntresa]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

The ddrs can only be used in quali, so your argument makes no sense. See the specific thread on this matter.

The DDRS can be used anytime you use DRS not just Quali.

[gilgen]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

The ddrs can only be used in quali, so your argument makes no sense. See the specific thread on this matter.

The DDRS can be used anytime you use DRS not just Quali.

Of course it can, but in a race, the Merc has to be within 1 second of a car in front, and trying to pass. That rarely happens, and the discussion was about the handling of the car on the twisty bits, where DRS would never be in use, even in quali!

[Ozan]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

The ddrs can only be used in quali, so your argument makes no sense. See the specific thread on this matter.

DDRS can be used anytime but it's only useful in quali.

[FrukostScones]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

The ddrs can only be used in quali, so your argument makes no sense. See the specific thread on this matter.

DDRS can be used anytime but it's only useful in quali.

Maybe we should distinguish between DDRS and frontwing F-duct.
DDRS is indirectly operated by DRS-button/pedal. The slots which are hidden by the DRS-flap in its down position are only opened during the activation of the DRS-flap by button/pedal.
Frontwing F-duct/slots on the underside of the frontwing which also might work actively together with DDRS, (or not/are bypassed during DDRS-activation ) and could also act passively whithout DRS-activation under certain circumstances.

[n smikle]

Yeah that is how Schumacher got pole... he sorta "cheated" half a second by doing that alone. A very clever guy.

Only problem is that the bump is in Sector 1 and he got most of his time in Sector 2

Same thing. That is the end of sector one going into sector Two. It gave him a better run into the Hairpin.

[n smikle]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

They had monster traction in the first Korean GP too.

[Lycoming]

It's the characteristic I was alluding to earlier. The DDRS sheds downforce from the front wing allowing the WO3 to run lower front ride height and/or softer front suspension. This allows them to ride the curbs a little better than the rest of the field. I seem to recall a time when "ability to ride the curbs" was discussed at length and used as a performance differentiator but I'm unable to dig it up.

However, while the DDRS may explain performance characteristics of the front end, it does not explain why the WO3 is so good on corner exit. The W02 had similarly good traction characteristics out of corners (see Schumacher in Canada and Monza). Although not unique to Mercedes, it stands to reason interlinked suspension setups should play a part in this, mercury discussion aside.

There are some good points here. However, although you can use DRS anywhere in qualifying, you must keep your qualifying setup into the race, where you are not allowed to do so. I don't think it really lets them run softer suspension or ride height than other teams, though they may opt to do so anyways. Note that softer springs generally require taller ride heights to prevent bottoming out or excess skidplank wear. Monaco generally requires taller ride heights anyways, though.

If they are running relatively soft springs, it would also explain their good low speed traction. But I don't know if they have good low speed traction in race, I haven't been able to watch most of the races this year. I suspect that its just a matter of setup.

[Gridlock]

Frontwing F-duct/slots on the underside of the frontwing which also might work actively together with DDRS, (or not/are bypassed during DDRS-activation ) and could also act passively whithout DRS-activation under certain circumstances.

Using the occasionally-appearing flat rectangular silver secondary scoop on the top of the bulkhead?