Mercedes AMG F1 W03

[Websta]

When the car speeds up, a larger than average gap appears between the closed DRS plank and the rear wing. It's especially visible from the back. Could that be the F-Duct working? It doesn't remove drag off the wing when the DRS plank is open, it removes drag when it's closed. That's why it's completely passive and there's zero driver input. That magic is happening when the driver *isn't* hitting the button.

I'll leave it up to the armchair engineers to figure out how the DRS plank could be flexing when it's closed. Could it be hollow and bend when the air inside is pressurized? Is that possible?

I'm not really convinced - why would you want to flex the wing element when you want it to be producing downforce (i.e. when you aren't activating DRS)?

Edit: I'm assuming that reducing drag would also reduce downforce

[snoop1050]

they have problems with tires just like last year. next few races will be difficult for them

before the race ross said the cold tempratures can cause issues with tyre graining.

almost sounded like he was expecting issues with the tyres going off because they dont like the cold

[Cocles]

I'm not really convinced - why would you want to flex the wing element when you want it to be producing downforce (i.e. when you aren't activating DRS)?

Edit: I'm assuming that reducing drag would also reduce downforce

You don't want it producing df in the straights right? That's when it looked like it was flexing. And of course it'd be better to just raise the flap, but there's plenty of time throughout the race when a driver can't do that. So in the straights, when the DRS can't be raised, it just flexes, removing drag that way.

[Mestrades]

they have problems with tires just like last year. next few races will be difficult for them

before the race ross said the cold tempratures can cause issues with tyre graining.

almost sounded like he was expecting issues with the tyres going off because they dont like the cold

If cold temperatures can cause issues with tyre graining, then they have to create a car that doesn't cause graining in cold temperatures like Mclaren or RedBull...

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Perhaps Mercedes is stalling the diffuser somehow? It's good for at least 10ph/h. .

[hardingfv32]

Okay, but the two pipes coming out of the beam wing and running back under the engine cover do suggest it's ducted towards the front of the car,

No, these ducts are routed to the openings near the camera pod.

Brian

[wesley123]

Okay, but the two pipes coming out of the beam wing and running back under the engine cover do suggest it's ducted towards the front of the car,

No, these ducts are routed to the openings near the camera pod.

Brian

How do you know that?

[lillschumi]

I think the tire issue is just a symptom of the car lacking grip, either mechanical or aerodynamic. Fresh rubber compensate but you will use them harder and they go off faster.

Degradation was visible through the testing, everyone noticed but somehow it´s the same every year. You neglect the obvious.

Either drive slower or find more grip simple as that. There is no "one fix" or setup to solve the tire problem (unlass slap on really aggressive wings) but then you will not go forward.

[lukea6]

Hello all. Long time lurker don't post much. I've just noticed something from fp3 in Melbourne I hope somebody can post a picture for me!! If you watch the on board just before schumi goes off track where vettel etc also went off he's holding his hand against the side of the cock pit (like activating an f-duct a-la red bull style 2010 - one hand off the wheel). Whilst I know f ducts are banned, it looks fishy!

[siskue2005]

Hello all. Long time lurker don't post much. I've just noticed something from fp3 in Melbourne I hope somebody can post a picture for me!! If you watch the on board just before schumi goes off track where vettel etc also went off he's holding his hand against the side of the cock pit (like activating an f-duct a-la red bull style 2010 - one hand off the wheel). Whilst I know f ducts are banned, it looks fishy!

that is just brake bias adjustment/ brake pressure adjustment (talked in detail in spygate controversy)
Schumacher/Brawn/Ferrari now Merc has been doing that since 2002

[lukea6]

Def' not brake bias it's the back of his hand against the cockpit.... I'd post a pic but am using an iPhone...

[AnthonyG]

assymetric front wing(?) (there seems to be an extra vertical element to the far left side compared to right)

[i70q7m7ghw]

I think he's talking about a little innovation called the f-duct. I'm sure you can find it on the goggle.

If we are talking about the mythical Mercedes front wing duct there is no evidence that it ever existed. All you have is a nose hole that had always been there, absolutely nothing else.

Brian

So explain the slots on the bottom of the wing?

[Mestrades]

I can't apreciate a diference...

[marcush.]

Brawn said they fell out of the working window for the tyres due to ambient temps ...so there is hope for malaysia?