2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina, Nov 18 - 20

[MadMax]

I still think Mercedes have a big gap to jump to red bull.

Well they've got a big boost in analysis tool time thanks to Red Bull winning the championship and being "fined" wind tunnel / CFD time. Merc get about 20% more time than Red Bull between now and mid season 2023. Depending on standings at that point, it may or may not change in Red Bull's favour.

Already proven that more wind tunnel time doesn’t always equal performance. There are a lot of other teams with significantly more tunnel/cfd time than the front runners and they are nowhere close

It's not a proof of anything. Wind tunnel time is part of the equation. Yes, you need decent people, but they will undoubtedly perform better if they can use the tools more. Will Mercedes make more of their wind tunnel time than, say, Williams? Yes, I think they will because they have a better setup overall - hence why they have won several championships in recent years.

Mercedes have turned their car around from being a car that was racing Haas at the beginning of the season, to one that has won a race. Have they done that without any use of the wind tunnel? No, of course not. Have they don't only because of the wind tunnel? No, of course not.

Does Mercedes having more wind tunnel time than Red Bull give them a better chance than they would have if they had the exact same wind tunnel time? Yes. Is it a guarantee? No.

[Big Tea]

Well they've got a big boost in analysis tool time thanks to Red Bull winning the championship and being "fined" wind tunnel / CFD time. Merc get about 20% more time than Red Bull between now and mid season 2023. Depending on standings at that point, it may or may not change in Red Bull's favour.

Already proven that more wind tunnel time doesn’t always equal performance. There are a lot of other teams with significantly more tunnel/cfd time than the front runners and they are nowhere close

It's not a proof of anything. Wind tunnel time is part of the equation. Yes, you need decent people, but they will undoubtedly perform better if they can use the tools more. Will Mercedes make more of their wind tunnel time than, say, Williams? Yes, I think they will because they have a better setup overall - hence why they have won several championships in recent years.

Mercedes have turned their car around from being a car that was racing Haas at the beginning of the season, to one that has won a race. Have they done that without any use of the wind tunnel? No, of course not. Have they don't only because of the wind tunnel? No, of course not.

Does Mercedes having more wind tunnel time than Red Bull give them a better chance than they would have if they had the exact same wind tunnel time? Yes. Is it a guarantee? No.

It depends on if their problems are aero based or mechanically caused. There will obviously be some crossover such as measuring what aero effects the mechanical alterations have, but if they can just lose a chunk of straight line drag, they will still have problems unless they sort out tyre warm up and curb riding.

[MadMax]

Already proven that more wind tunnel time doesn’t always equal performance. There are a lot of other teams with significantly more tunnel/cfd time than the front runners and they are nowhere close

It's not a proof of anything. Wind tunnel time is part of the equation. Yes, you need decent people, but they will undoubtedly perform better if they can use the tools more. Will Mercedes make more of their wind tunnel time than, say, Williams? Yes, I think they will because they have a better setup overall - hence why they have won several championships in recent years.

Mercedes have turned their car around from being a car that was racing Haas at the beginning of the season, to one that has won a race. Have they done that without any use of the wind tunnel? No, of course not. Have they don't only because of the wind tunnel? No, of course not.

Does Mercedes having more wind tunnel time than Red Bull give them a better chance than they would have if they had the exact same wind tunnel time? Yes. Is it a guarantee? No.

It depends on if their problems are aero based or mechanically caused. There will obviously be some crossover such as measuring what aero effects the mechanical alterations have, but if they can just lose a chunk of straight line drag, they will still have problems unless they sort out tyre warm up and curb riding.

More wind tunnel time could allow them to just drop some drag. That alone would be a worthwhile gain if they maintain/increase downforce at the same time. That's an example where more wind tunnel time could be beneficial, all other things being equal. They do need to be able to design the changes, of course, which is where the people come in.

The suspension issue is, I think, down to them designing the car to run on its belly. Now they know that's not the best way to go, I'd expect the suspension to be altered and thus increase the chances of being better on the kerbs, etc.

[chrisc90]

Running the car on the belly, the zero pod concept causing drag are 2 major hurdles they will have to overcome next year. Given the floors will be changing with a higher throat height and raised on the edges, they will have to hope their current floor's design can be adapted to suit those new regulations.
The zero pod concept....well, thats not going to change unless they go with a more normal design which moves air away from the rear wheels.

Hasnt the FIA closed down on their front wing interpretation (wing end plate gaps) too for next year?

[AR3-GP]

Well they've got a big boost in analysis tool time thanks to Red Bull winning the championship and being "fined" wind tunnel / CFD time. Merc get about 20% more time than Red Bull between now and mid season 2023. Depending on standings at that point, it may or may not change in Red Bull's favour.

Already proven that more wind tunnel time doesn’t always equal performance. There are a lot of other teams with significantly more tunnel/cfd time than the front runners and they are nowhere close

It's not a proof of anything. Wind tunnel time is part of the equation. Yes, you need decent people, but they will undoubtedly perform better if they can use the tools more. Will Mercedes make more of their wind tunnel time than, say, Williams? Yes, I think they will because they have a better setup overall - hence why they have won several championships in recent years.

Mercedes have turned their car around from being a car that was racing Haas at the beginning of the season, to one that has won a race. Have they done that without any use of the wind tunnel? No, of course not. Have they don't only because of the wind tunnel? No, of course not.

Does Mercedes having more wind tunnel time than Red Bull give them a better chance than they would have if they had the exact same wind tunnel time? Yes. Is it a guarantee? No.

MadMax and Chris90

You are both saying the same thing.

[deadhead]

Start next season already, I'm ready for another epic between RB & Mercedes.

I still think Mercedes have a big gap to jump to red bull.

Agreed, people are forgetting Ferrari too. Just because the developments have stopped doesn't mean they aren't doing anything at all

Pecking order in Brazil and Abu Dhabi is probably what we will get next season.

[chrisc90]

I still think Mercedes have a big gap to jump to red bull.

Agreed, people are forgetting Ferrari too. Just because the developments have stopped doesn't mean they aren't doing anything at all

Pecking order in Brazil and Abu Dhabi is probably what we will get next season.

So a Merc 1-2 in Brazil, Ferrari 3-4 and RB 6-7.

What you think AD will be?

[PlatinumZealot]

Running the car on the belly, the zero pod concept causing drag are 2 major hurdles they will have to overcome next year. Given the floors will be changing with a higher throat height and raised on the edges, they will have to hope their current floor's design can be adapted to suit those new regulations.
The zero pod concept....well, thats not going to change unless they go with a more normal design which moves air away from the rear wheels.

Hasnt the FIA closed down on their front wing interpretation (wing end plate gaps) too for next year?

The zero pod itself doesn't cause drag. Well we cant be certain of that. What we do know is that the car has been run outside of it's design envelop to prevent bouncing and doing this is what caused the drag.

[Wouter]

[search]

Theoretically Russell is still part of that "battle" as well, although he needs a win, fastest lap and basically a DNF of both, Leclerc and Perez.

[harty71]

A terrible race for a season finale, how come this is the final race anyway, do they offer a lot of extra money for hosting it?

The final race would be much better at Jeddah, that track is a modern classic IMO.

[DGP123]

The final race would be much better at Jeddah, that track is a modern classic IMO.

Doubtful the FIA/LM want the season finale to be ruined by terrorists firing missiles nearby, or the media focusing on off track stuff, and continuing to scrutinise the human rights record

Abu Dhabi just signed a new 10 year deal, so it’s staying put

[chrisc90]

[Redragon]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhr1J_BXoAE ... name=small

Leclerc will bring himself out of the equation as he has done few times this year. No body cares about second on stadistics except when the 1st is decided on the last race as last year. This year doesn't matter who is second they are well behing of Max points.

[MadMax]

That Merc rear wing is a parachute compared to the others. Hopefully, for Mercedes, this will be the last time they have to race it.