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Mercedes W03

Discussion in 'Formula 1' started by Forza Bianchi, Feb 15, 2012.

  1. Delete Me

    Delete Me Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking the same thing Miggins on the lines of "cans of worms". But I would guess Lotus/RBR/McLaren got what they wanted in the long run for it to be banned next season.

    Mercedes will have to enjoy it while it lasts.
     
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  2. Big Ern

    Big Ern Lord, Master, Guru & Emperor

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    I wonder what would have happened if Lotus had complained today instead of last week when Mercedes looked crap.
     
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  3. BrightLampShade

    BrightLampShade Well-Known Member Forum Moderator

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    Hamilton to Mercedes rumours are due some extra air time now.
     
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  4. Nazara

    Nazara Active Member

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    I think the trick now will be to try and get another win or at least a podium; to catch up to Red Bull and Mclaren.
     
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  5. McFerrari

    McFerrari Member

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    Yes. There's a host of possibilities this season may throw up. Hamilton v Button will be the most intriguing. It looks like these two could go at it for the whole season which will pose the biggest test to the relationship at McLaren so far. Button won't leave McLaren so there's no question over his status because the way that man has embedded himself into that team without force or any demands is utterly remarkable and a true credit to him.
     
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  6. genjigonzales

    genjigonzales Active Member

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    Interesting point via Crucial_Xtreme from Alan Permane...

    The DDRS enables the car's ride height to be set very low because, with the front wing stalling at the point (end of straights) where the plank would get most worn, there is less downforce being generated.

    A lower ride height during qualifying, therefore, means better speed through the corners.

    In the race, with a full fuel load and no DRS, the car is slower and so the downforce generated still doesn't wear the plank unduly and they can still run a lower ride height.


     
    #226

  7. u408379965

    u408379965 Well-Known Member

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    What about when they're at low fuel during the race?
     
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  8. genjigonzales

    genjigonzales Active Member

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    They alter ride heights during pitstops. They're just not allowed to do so when the car's in parc fermé.
     
    #228
  9. El_Bando

    El_Bando Can't remember, where was I? Forum Moderator

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    Thats a lot to do in a pit stop. They should work on getting the tyres on properly first ;)
     
    #229
  10. Big Ern

    Big Ern Lord, Master, Guru & Emperor

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    After China It should be banned, but soemhow me thinks the Todt, Brawn, Schumacher connection is having some effect, immediatley banning a reactive braking system that was clearly legal until a rapid rule change, yet allowing a driver controlled aero effect system which contravenes the DRS rule, as it clearly is not used as a help to overtaking, in fact the total opposite appears to be true, as it seems they actually have to ****** their straightline speed because of it. That's my thoughts on it anyway.
     
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  11. genjigonzales

    genjigonzales Active Member

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    Possibly not - Scarbs thinks that the mechanic just behind Hamilton's left shoulder in the picture below might be topping up the engine's pneumatic air supply but F1Technical folk think he might be adding a turn of ride height. The former sounds more plausible but the tool the mechanic is using is very small:

    please log in to view this image

    The point, though, is not whether that particular mechanic is actually altering the ride height but that doing so wouldn't be such a complicated job. It's certainly permitted and, if it's permitted and improves performance, the teams who can will certainly do it.
     
    #231
  12. genjigonzales

    genjigonzales Active Member

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    This is what the other teams need to achieve to use DRS to stall the front wing.

    please log in to view this image
     
    #232
  13. genjigonzales

    genjigonzales Active Member

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    The W03 has been long in the making, it seems. Not only was a blown front wing tested on the W02 before being integral to the design of the W03 but so, too, was its interconnected four-wheel suspension system, according to Motorsport Total. Again, it is designed to improve balance but, unlike, the DDRS it will have at least as great an effect during the race as it has in qualifying.

     
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  14. EternalMSC

    EternalMSC Well-Known Member

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    Thing is they are no longer grappling for the top 3 position, they are fighting for the WDC now.
     
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  15. Forza Bianchi

    Forza Bianchi Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about that. Rosberg says they need to improve in the high speed corners and they've only looked competitive in one race out of four - and McLaren should have won that race. There's also the question of whether the drivers are good enough. While anything can happen, but it's hard to envisage Rosberg and Schumacher fighting for the WDC.
     
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  16. Delete Me

    Delete Me Well-Known Member

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    I agree with Forza, it's hard to envisage rosberg or schumacher fighting for the WDC.

    For me it looks like on the lines of Jenson in 2009 with the DDD and that it's only a matter of time until the "top 3 teams" copy it and they all leapfrog Mercedes with car and development. Except neither Schumacher or Nico is building a gap the size Jenson made before the likes of RB got sorted out with the device.


    I would like to say Nico and Schumacher together can get a few more wins and a lot of podiums this season, but come 2-3 months down the line that advantage will likely be taken away from them. You might see them only fighting with Lotus or Ferrari for 3rd-4th in the constructors while McLaren and RBR get the strangle hold on the best places with Alonso and Kimi in the mix.
     
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  17. genjigonzales

    genjigonzales Active Member

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    All this and he still only has two points.

    please log in to view this image
     
    #237
  18. BrightLampShade

    BrightLampShade Well-Known Member Forum Moderator

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    Merc grabbing some extra downforce from their brakes

    please log in to view this image
     
    #238
  19. North North Watford

    North North Watford Active Member

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    Seems a little more scientific than Red Bull's attempts to get some extra downforce a while back.

    please log in to view this image
     
    #239
  20. BrightLampShade

    BrightLampShade Well-Known Member Forum Moderator

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    please log in to view this image


    please log in to view this image


     
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