2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

[Quantum]

My only caveat to this would be that Max probably took that car to another level on that circuit. He’s magic there.

To the level it was capable of? Agree.

[organic]

Will the flexi wing come back

[zibby43]

My only caveat to this would be that Max probably took that car to another level on that circuit. He’s magic there.

To the level it was capable of? Agree.

Yeah we’re on the same page. I was just trying to tease out what Max achieved with the car opposed to his teammate.

But also, I think part of the equation is that the circuit probably flattered both the car and the driver. Max is excellent there and the RB would’ve been strong there in its previous spec as well.

[venkyhere]

My only caveat to this would be that Max probably took that car to another level on that circuit. He’s magic there.

To the level it was capable of? Agree.

Yeah we’re on the same page. I was just trying to tease out what Max achieved with the car opposed to his teammate.

But also, I think part of the equation is that the circuit probably flattered both the car and the driver. Max is excellent there and the RB would’ve been strong there in its previous spec as well.

No it wouldn't have been - it was overweight & had lesser downforce in the previous spec.

[Lasssept]

[MB_Racer]

Very interesting to note that they are so confident of the win in Silverstone that they are waiting for Spa for upgrades!

[zibby43]

To the level it was capable of? Agree.

Yeah we’re on the same page. I was just trying to tease out what Max achieved with the car opposed to his teammate.

But also, I think part of the equation is that the circuit probably flattered both the car and the driver. Max is excellent there and the RB would’ve been strong there in its previous spec as well.

No it wouldn't have been - it was overweight & had lesser downforce in the previous spec.

Ah yes because when I think of downforce, I think of Austria.

Oh wait, it’s actually one of the least downforce-sensitive, most power-dependent circuits on the calendar.

Was Red Bull good in Canada? Oh yeah, Max was 3rd, 1s behind LH. But carry on I guess.

[Badger]

Yeah we’re on the same page. I was just trying to tease out what Max achieved with the car opposed to his teammate.

But also, I think part of the equation is that the circuit probably flattered both the car and the driver. Max is excellent there and the RB would’ve been strong there in its previous spec as well.

No it wouldn't have been - it was overweight & had lesser downforce in the previous spec.

Ah yes because when I think of downforce, I think of Austria.

Oh wait, it’s actually one of the least downforce-sensitive, most power-dependent circuits on the calendar.

Was Red Bull good in Canada? Oh yeah, Max was 3rd, 1s behind LH. But carry on I guess.

RB was slower than Ferrari in Canada and like half a second slower than Merc in the race. In Austria they were quicker than Ferrari and nearly matching Merc. What do you think changed?

[venkyhere]

Yeah we’re on the same page. I was just trying to tease out what Max achieved with the car opposed to his teammate.

But also, I think part of the equation is that the circuit probably flattered both the car and the driver. Max is excellent there and the RB would’ve been strong there in its previous spec as well.

No it wouldn't have been - it was overweight & had lesser downforce in the previous spec.

Ah yes because when I think of downforce, I think of Austria.

Oh wait, it’s actually one of the least downforce-sensitive, most power-dependent circuits on the calendar.

Was Red Bull good in Canada? Oh yeah, Max was 3rd, 1s behind LH. But carry on I guess.

There is no need to be so sarcastic.
Yes, Austria is about power and straighline speed, but don't forget that the latter half of S2 and S3 in Austria are downforce dependent - the fact that both Redbulls weren't hemorrhaging time through there, compared to the other three, indicates that downforce levels were improved. That was not the case in Barcelona, where they were considerably slower through all non-slow-speed corners than the other three.
Plus, Canada was not a 'merit' podium, it was a case of climbing two places for free because the Mclarens took themselves out of the race.

[zibby43]

No it wouldn't have been - it was overweight & had lesser downforce in the previous spec.

Ah yes because when I think of downforce, I think of Austria.

Oh wait, it’s actually one of the least downforce-sensitive, most power-dependent circuits on the calendar.

Was Red Bull good in Canada? Oh yeah, Max was 3rd, 1s behind LH. But carry on I guess.

RB was slower than Ferrari in Canada and like half a second slower than Merc in the race. In Austria they were quicker than Ferrari and nearly matching Merc. What do you think changed?

Nowhere did I say the update was not meaningful. Only that they still would’ve been strong in Austria without based on circuit characteristics and Max’s record there.

And RB was within around 1s of Ferrari in Canada. Ferrari completely losing the plot in Austria munching their rear tires flattered RB a bit as well.

[zibby43]

The RBR fans are on the same amount of hopium the Ferrari fans were huffing after Barcelona. Let’s see what Silverstone looks like. Maybe they look great again? Maybe it’s back to reality.

[Badger]

Ah yes because when I think of downforce, I think of Austria.

Oh wait, it’s actually one of the least downforce-sensitive, most power-dependent circuits on the calendar.

Was Red Bull good in Canada? Oh yeah, Max was 3rd, 1s behind LH. But carry on I guess.

RB was slower than Ferrari in Canada and like half a second slower than Merc in the race. In Austria they were quicker than Ferrari and nearly matching Merc. What do you think changed?

Nowhere did I say the update was not meaningful. Only that they still would’ve been strong in Austria without based on circuit characteristics and Max’s record there.

And RB was within around 1s of Ferrari in Canada. Ferrari completely losing the plot in Austria munching their rear tires flattered RB a bit as well.

If the gap to Merc was the same as in Canada they would've finished 35 seconds behind.

[Brahmal]

Will the flexi wing come back

Active-aero pretty much eliminates the reason for flexi-wings. I suppose it might be useful for rebalancing the car during high-speed corners, but not sure about that. If it is, Audi and VCARB would have an advantage with their FW actuators on the wing instead of in the nose.