Mercedes W12

[restless]

I think we're seeing the result of the floor rule change. Mercedes have to run the bigger wing to compensate for the loss from the floor. Red Bull don't need to so they can get away with a smaller wing. It's only Mercedes excellent PU that's keeping them near Red Bull. They can live with that drag for most circuits. Monza, for example, should be a Red Bull 1-2 on that basis.

Could it be also due to increased tyre pressures? Now Mercedes may need more downforce in order to "work tyres" and keep them in optimum operation window?
It seems Ferrari were badly hit, also Alpine&Alfa struggled alot

[atanatizante]

That`s a standard rake?

[zibby43]

First photo in Austria, via Albert Fabrega:

[Just_a_fan]

First photo in Austria, via Albert Fabrega:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E4kwlRuWUAs ... ame=medium

Wow, they've really shortened the car massively!

[Morteza]

Spielberg





Via AMuS

[zibby43]

Merc cockpit, via @ScarbsTech:



Initial Merc RW, via @AlbertFabrega:

[SiLo]

Surely they aren't running that barn door on the back here?

[v3rify]

Surely they aren't running that barn door on the back here?

Looks like they ran something similar last year, maybe because of the DRS zones at the red bull ring they can afford to run higher df with less of a drag penalty in qualifying?

[Sevach]

Surely they aren't running that barn door on the back here?

Despite the 3 straights you don't spend that much time blasting away in 8th gear in the Red Bull Ring, it's an acceleration rather than drag/top speed track.

[mkay]

Surely they aren't running that barn door on the back here?

Despite the 3 straights you don't spend that much time blasting away in 8th gear in the Red Bull Ring, it's an acceleration rather than drag/top speed track.

True, but Merc were running a skinnier wing in Austria last year. It’s clear they’re having to run a bigger wing to compensate for the lack of rear downforce. We’re going to see a similar scenario as in France; RB will be untouchable on the straights if they get track position.

[zibby43]

Surely they aren't running that barn door on the back here?

Despite the 3 straights you don't spend that much time blasting away in 8th gear in the Red Bull Ring, it's an acceleration rather than drag/top speed track.

True, but Merc were running a skinnier wing in Austria last year. It’s clear they’re having to run a bigger wing to compensate for the lack of rear downforce. We’re going to see a similar scenario as in France; RB will be untouchable on the straights if they get track position.

In this photo, it looks like last year’s Austria wing was slightly smaller with maybe a greater AoA:

https://www.racefans.net/2020/07/05/202 ... stria-703/

Bottas had the single-pylon, which Merc have again this year. They either run it with slightly more AoA or run the trimmed out double pylon option I linked above.

[pursue_one's]

Mercedes paint some flow-viz on the front wing footplate in Austria

[atanatizante]

Sitting so near at the back of their opponent car this year and bearing in mind the heatwave that is present in the region does anyone get some pictures with their solution for cooling at the back of the car?

[Tvetovnato]

Toto mentioned in a Sky interview that Merc have some minor updates planned during the season, so we can probably not expect a B-spec car.

[Morteza]

Via Motorsport.com