Mercedes AMG F1 Team 2012

[raymondu999]

I disagree that the compromise is there. A "hotrod" driver, for lack of a better word, has a huge advantage with bad tyres + refuelling, because not only do they have fresher rubber, but they have less fuel too. I actually quite liked how China panned out - with 2 stoppers battling with 3 stoppers, etc

[f1316]

I disagree that the compromise is there. A "hotrod" driver, for lack of a better word, has a huge advantage with bad tyres + refuelling, because not only do they have fresher rubber, but they have less fuel too. I actually quite liked how China panned out - with 2 stoppers battling with 3 stoppers, etc

But what do we mean by a "hotrod" driver? A fast driver? I don't think a thinking driver like Schumacher was ever disadvantaged versus, say, a Montoya who was, let's say, more "flat out".

It did often reward the fastest driver, yes, but there was still plenty of, and I would say a lot more, room for strategy. And, as Martin Brundle said, you didn't see someone popping up with a fastest lap out of the blue and then fading; you usually saw the ones at the front battling each other, which I think is much more interesting than constant overtaking.

I do, however, acknowledge that a great deal of people would disagree with that final statement.

[marcush.]

I think it was simply not necessary to introduce new parts until now.
the car is fundamentally quick and a candidate for front row qualy position .Mercedes had more trouble to extract the max from what they got not like in years before when speed was simply not there and the car was unable to fight for top positions for real.
I believe it was a fundamentally good decision not to swamp the garage with new parts after being late with the car anyways but I also believe being late with the car has hurt more ...as reliability issues are popping up now...at least for Schumacher.

[hardingfv32]

I think it was simply not necessary to introduce new parts until now.

You are absolutely correct. They have clearly demonstrated that they no where close to having complete control over their setup. Unless they do very strict back to back tests, this current car setup is not a good test platform.

Brian

[Byron R]

I think it was simply not necessary to introduce new parts until now.

You are absolutely correct. They have clearly demonstrated that they no where close to having complete control over their setup. Unless they do very strict back to back tests, this current car setup is not a good test platform.

Brian

I disagree, the car is consistent or can be made consistent under ideal conditions. Not a 20 degree(f) temperature change between Saturday and Sunday. If you think that putting on a new piece will get them .5 sec you are mistaken. It will be by bits and pieces measured in the hundredths..

[ArchAngel]

...But it is also unfair as certain driving styles are easier on tyres, whilst a sprint race would be fairer...

...A sprint race would favor the blitzing drivers too though...

The operative word there being race.

...Producing a purposely *bad* component on the car is the epitome of the artificiality many have complained about, and certainly not the spirit of the pinacle of motor racing.

+1

[Ferraripilot]

Really looking forward to the upgrades Merc has hiding, especially the exhaust. They should be able to accomplish quite a bit during testing.

[hardingfv32]

I disagree, the car is consistent or can be made consistent under ideal conditions.

Unfortunately they have no idea what the ideal conditions are. If they do, then they will have to wait for them to reappear before doing in valid testing. Does not sound very practical.

Brian

[marcush.]

as I understand,they claim to know their beast quite well -apart from the sensivity to temperature changes...

seems quite a surprise to me as changes in ambient are normal life and one should be able to evaluate this in testing and get a clear picture about the size of the setup window vs ambient change.

Obviously they have not realised this or they have not found a way around it.

The point is adding improvements in terms of downforce will just destroy the balance methinks.

I still hear rosberg lamenting about them trying everything possible (with setup) but not improving at all (in terms of degadation) during winter testing.

[ivand911]

From Autosport forum(Urawa):
"Sportbild:
perfect track temperature for Mercedes is between 25-30 deg, everything outside that window is problematic.
Many new parts for Mugello and most of them to increase the operating window of the car/tyres.

AMuS:
new, lighter gearbox housing for Barcelona (one race later for NR) to save weight at the rear and put less stress on tyres.
It is also rumoured that the new gearbox will be a bit more narrow to improve rear aero. "

No word about new exhaust, I also don't expect it. Maybe new rear suspension(with the rumored gearbox changes). Only new parts that should increase tyre window. Yeah, probably Costa involvement here(with suspension). If I understand right they need to be much gentle with the tyres, and last two Ferrari were gentle. As I understand W03 is heating the tyres quickly, which is not good for the hotter races.
Really hope updates to work. [-o<

[Mr.S]

Michael Schumacher took a five-place grid penalty in Bahrain due to Mercedes having to break the seal on his gearbox prior to the race.
He can therefore have a complete gearbox change for Barcelona, which according to Auto Motor und Sport is an all-new carbon housing design that is lighter, which should improve the W04's treatment of the Pirelli tyres.
Teammate Nico Rosberg must wait until Monaco before he can use the new 'box.

[Morteza]

@ Mr.S The thing is I hope that the new gearbox will not have any failure due to the reliability problems.

[Mr.S]

@ Mr.S The thing is I hope that the new gearbox will not have any failure due to the reliability problems.

I am not worried about that. I am dissapointed about any lack of updates. Minor gearbox & suspension changes only to improve the tyre handling.

I understand that is important. But they have 3 Full Days. That is like what??7-8 Race Weekends.

No major mechanical upgrade. I hope the suspension tweaks works because W03 is poor in terms of traction. And Dissapointed to see no new exhaust. Surely there was a few tenths to be found out there.

Maybe they think a Mclaren exhaust will furthur heat up the tyres & cause problems. Or maybe it wont help them understand the updates. I hope by Valencia or Silverstone we will see a new exhaust.

[Morteza]

I agree. Maybe they didn't feel that updates were necessary for the 4 first races, but upgrades are a must if you want to stay in the fight for wins and podium finishes. All I hope for is an upgrade which is meant to replace a part for the better. Wasn't it Aldo Costa who said that they can use the exhaust gases, and that you can't ignore a gift like that? So maybe the new exhaust is already in the works.

[Adamski]

Thank you guys for the answers.

All in all I don't mind, if they will improve the car with one bigger package, which gives them half a second and then fine-tuning what they have, if it will works for them. Looks like it's a different philosophy.

As for the AMuS upgrade rumor, during the winter tests, I also read on this site that Mercedes will bring a new design of engine cooler intake, which similar to the Red Bull's oval design and they dismiss the double intake. Until now, I never see such upgrade on the W03.
So I'm a bit skeptical whit it, but hopefully they're true.

New exhaust?

It was Brawn, who said in an interview that they are looking for a different exhaust position, but they can't get it earlier, than the Mugello test.