Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
Locked
User avatar
turbof1
Moderator
Joined: 19 Jul 2012, 21:36
Location: MountDoom CFD Matrix

Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

This is the speculation thread about the 2017 car. Rumors, articles, ideas and fantasies about the car can be posted here. Once the car gets officially launched, this thread will be closed and discussion continues in the official thread.

Topic will be unlocked after the season finisher in Abu Dhabi.
#AeroFrodo

User avatar
De Jokke
0
Joined: 30 Mar 2009, 02:51

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

Let's kick this off:

https://frankyremtlaaaat.wordpress.com/ ... ordt-lang/

So a longer wheelbase of 20 cm for the new car, while the competition sticks to its current wheelbase.
I really hope they don't get in wrong there in Brackley.
Mercedes AMG + Hamilton => dreamteam!
If you can't beat'em, call Masi!

wesley123
204
Joined: 23 Feb 2008, 17:55

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

To solidify the credibility of that site, here is them saying the exact same thing about Red Bull and confirming the article about Merc was nothing more than a rumor;
https://translate.google.com/translate? ... t=&act=url
"Bite my shiny metal ass" - Bender

User avatar
De Jokke
0
Joined: 30 Mar 2009, 02:51

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

Thanks for the update!
Mercedes AMG + Hamilton => dreamteam!
If you can't beat'em, call Masi!

diego.liv
20
Joined: 19 Feb 2013, 17:37

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

But then again on Reddit there's the translation from f1today.net and it says more, and not reporting
But it may be that appear both Mercedes and Red Bull with a long wheelbase at the start of 2017 season
https://m.reddit.com/r/formula1/comment ... wheelbase/

User avatar
De Jokke
0
Joined: 30 Mar 2009, 02:51

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

This site http://www.autoblog.nl/nieuws/
claims that the merc longer wheelbase was a rumor and that it's rbr that will follow that path.

Meanwhile, merc will go for more pure speed in terms of aero by lowering the rear axle on straights in order to let the diffuser produce less downforce. It wouldn't impact cornering speed.
Mercedes AMG + Hamilton => dreamteam!
If you can't beat'em, call Masi!

KeiKo403
7
Joined: 18 Feb 2011, 00:16

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

Surely that's active aero so banned? Unless that's back for next season? Or a joke?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

User avatar
turbof1
Moderator
Joined: 19 Jul 2012, 21:36
Location: MountDoom CFD Matrix

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

KeiKo403 wrote:Surely that's active aero so banned? Unless that's back for next season? Or a joke?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It probably is nothing more than suspension stifness. At high speeds the rear will lower due aero load, which will reduce rake.
#AeroFrodo

User avatar
godlameroso
309
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 21:27
Location: Miami FL

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

Which reduces downforce which increases rake which increases downforce, and lowers rake, until it comes to an interpolated value of the two extremes.

My point being that the amount of ride height change is difficult to precisely control at all speeds, I believe there's a little more to it. Not quite active aero, just clever ways of using ducting, and certain electrical properties to influence airflows at different speeds. In addition to slightly altering ride height and rake from pure aero loading.
Saishū kōnā

KeiKo403
7
Joined: 18 Feb 2011, 00:16

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

I see the point about it being difficult to control. To me there are a lot of external influences.
The question that comes to mind are because the solution/idea would be suspension related does it have the risk of being effected from above from the aero and from below with corner camber and tyres too.

These are just questions from a non-expert. I ask about tyres though because they're an unknown anyway and I assume tyre pressures could effect this. Also mention corner camber too because the car width is wider it would make sense (to me anyway) that the one side of the car would be higher/lower than the other side compared to today's car?

Am I thinking about too much??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wesley123
204
Joined: 23 Feb 2008, 17:55

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

There's nothing complicated about it, it's just a (relatively common) way to reduce drag.
"Bite my shiny metal ass" - Bender

Spoutnik
6
Joined: 03 Feb 2015, 19:02

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

It's also a way to make the car more stable, especially in medium/high speed corner.

User avatar
turbof1
Moderator
Joined: 19 Jul 2012, 21:36
Location: MountDoom CFD Matrix

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

wesley123 wrote:There's nothing complicated about it, it's just a (relatively common) way to reduce drag.
Exactly. This is nothing new. Oscilation would perhaps be an issue when the diffuser stalls, but in this case downforce is reduced gradually until it reach its turnover point, where it will hover around.
#AeroFrodo

wesley123
204
Joined: 23 Feb 2008, 17:55

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

Makes me think of Toyota's flexing rear wing at the 2014 LM24


This example is a bit exaggerated, though, as the pivot angle of he wing is much smaller.

I don't think oscillation is much of an issue, if it even is noticeable at all. Because not only is the rake angle lower, the angle of the front and rearwing have also decreased
"Bite my shiny metal ass" - Bender

User avatar
godlameroso
309
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 21:27
Location: Miami FL

Re: Mercedes W08 Speculation Thread

Post

Oscillation can actually straighten airflow. Otherwise feathers wouldn't work, and birds wouldn't be able to fly.
Saishū kōnā

Locked