haza wrote: ↑25 Nov 2022, 22:59
chrisc90 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2022, 22:54
haza wrote: ↑25 Nov 2022, 22:53
I think redbull will have the edge in the first half of the season but I expect Mercedes to surpass them in the latter races i don’t think red bulls wind tunnel penalty will affect them too much if at all. Ferrari is a big question mark they will most likely bring a contending car like this year but they need consistent performances that’s why I have them 3rd.
Its Mercedes season to bring the development through the season.
They have a big gap to close at present.
They do yes but they will benefit from additional wind tunnel time the merc will probably be the most visually different car i don’t see the no side pod concept staying
Compared to redbull, Mercedes has a few extra hours of actual wind tunnel time, which isn't very significant. I posted some details in Mercedes team thread.
It's not the wind tunnel time that would count, but the ideas they have that can help bridge the gap. Mercedes started and ended the year with same performance deficit to Redbull (quali and race) despite all the upgrades through the year and specifically late season that they claim to have transformed the car while Redbull didn't bring any upgrades in the last few months. Redbull are also masters of in season development. So overhauling them next season would be a monumental ask. More so with Mercedes trying to change their fundamentals of car that gave so much of headache, while Redbull would be evolving a proven winner in the first year of a brand new set of regulations.
Ferrari stopped development of the current car after Summer break and the rumour suggest the new car, code named 675, is far better than F1-75. It's not unusual for Ferrari to come out with a leading car after winter break. I wouldn't be surprised to see them being ahead of the pack once again, but with the usual question mark over in season development.
Aston Martin made the biggest progress through the year. Starting with 2.2 second deficit and ending with 1.1 second deficit over one lap. With Dan Fallows leading the new car development and with Alonso factor, they might be the ones that would lead the midfield.