A few things from IRBR and Ferrari, nose is a bit thick though... Front pushrod like the RB9. Scarbs: Craig Scarborough ‏@ScarbsF1 Nice view of the W04 top rear from Stefan on @f1technical https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCQTcXkCEAEIdQA.jpg:large … Craig Scarborough ‏@ScarbsF1 Mercedes W04, unusually high front roll structure fin,fins below the mirrors & DRS operated from a pod above the wing & not by cable Expand Craig Scarborough ‏@ScarbsF1 @F1_Aero that is an odd shut line, but then they've lost the top inlet cooling duct, perhaps now fed from under the air horn? Craig Scarborough ‏@ScarbsF1 Mercedes W04: tidied nose, coanda pods, pushrod front susp, revised roll hoop & vanes on the splitter https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCQK1gnCAAAdBiT.jpg:large … Matt somerfield: Mercedes continue to have a long and bevelled downwash ramp leading to their exhaust (higher sided) Via @suttonimages pic.twitter.com/wAE8XCqm Matt Somerfield ‏@SomersF1 Mercedes W04 Rear - Semi Coanda Exhaust with 3 cooling attachment slots, Wishbone shrouded halfshaft Via @SuttonImages pic.twitter.com/kw1hoEY0 Somerfield ‏@SomersF1 Mercedes W04 - 3 x Vortex Generator Fins under Mirror, additional VG on top of Sidepod, Shortened Airflow Conditioner pic.twitter.com/FNfT8OIw
Most important shot of them all: please log in to view this image Fullsize: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/merc-w04-2013-3.jpg
I know looks aren't everything, but I really cant see that thing winning the championship. It looks too similar to their crap W03 and the rear is huge compared to their rivals. Good luck Lewis.
Ah ha! [video=youtube;VsdBOtgWQYA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsdBOtgWQYA[/video] subtle blackberry... subtle.
Some reckon it's a bad design: Tobias Grüner F1 ‏@tgruener #F1 I'm not very impressed with the new Mercedes W04. Wide sidepods, old exhaust position. Other teams showed more new stuff on their cars.
Looks basically identical to the 2012 car - evolution? If so they will probably still have the same problems looking after tyres in the race that they have had since 2011.
Have to say it looks very bulky, hopefully there's lots of bits to stick on/take off This first test is probably to get to grips with the tyres so I image a lot of people will be hiding idea's till test 2.
Not really since the W03 was designed around the DDRS, so not really an evolution of sorts. Consider the point when IRBR had to do without the EBD last season, it's the same kind of situation here with Mercedes. Basically they should be a few steps behind the big guys for the fist couple of months.
Clearly a different design philosophy going on here. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Mercedes will have a lot of egg on their face if they have designed yet another car that cannot look after its tyres having had years to sort it out. They obviously think that the previous cars still have a lot of development potential otherwise they would go down a different path. They have the staff, resources & technology to get this sorted, otherwise a complete clearout is needed as the exisitng set-up there are not the ones to turn it around. Aside from 2009, Brawn has not added anything to BAR/Honda/Mercedes team and they just seem to be treading water, with the odd good result here and there masking what has been many years of averageness and under-achievement. 2013 is make or break.... or bye bye Ross.
Sums it up pretty well really. I get the feeling they want him out anyway, but have no proper reason to carry that out.
F1fanatic:The distinct sound of something being planed down can be heard from a garage. @RacecarEngineer: "That's never a good sound..." Work on the W04 being done already
Can't believe how anybody could say this car is more beautiful than the W02 and W03. The W04 looks like roadkill in my opinion, but hopefully some more Mercedes will be put into it over the next few weeks.
Just seen an interview with Hamilton where he confirmed it is an evolution of the 12 car (which I believe was an evolution of the 11 car and that of the 10) so we will basically be able to see how he does with the cars Rosberg and Schumacher have had. Will be good to see them make a completely new car in 14 though.
