2023 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[ValeVida46]

I'm not going to become embroiled in your curve fitting exercise.

You're isolating teams, blaming drivers from one, circumstances for the other, and tyre deg for the next, and one off laps from the other.
When you need that many levels of explanation....

That's F1 and motorsports. If someone doesn't take everything into account then they are being ignorant and/or lack deep understanding of the sport and are more into what's on paper.

No, you don't curve fit 2022-23 and say ohhh that's explainable by the drivers being terrible qualifiers, the Ferrari having terrible tyre deg, one off laps, luck etc etc and then ignore those very factors for the comparative data set.
By very definition that would be "ignorant and/or lack of deep understanding".

[AR3-GP]

The first big package on the W14 will arrive at Imola, as announced by the team itself, after some small packages introduced in the first races. The last one in Baku, which should have also included a revised front suspension but which was postponed to Imola due to delays in its construction.

It is no coincidence that a 'test item' was carried out in Miami, as the teams call it, i.e. a first check on the track of an update that will arrive later, with a new steering rack, unfortunately prepared in a hurry and which did not allow the team to collect important data.

A new front suspension will make its debut at Imola, the only mechanical component together with the chassis that differentiates Mercedes from Aston Martin, which will be able to count on a new power steering, in an attempt to improve the balance of the car and make it more driveable.

The test carried out in Miami was in preparation for the update on the Santerno circuit. Beyond that, as announced by Toto Wolff, there will be changes to the bodywork and the floor.

https://www.formu1a.uno/aggiornamenti-m ... direzione/

George didn't like the new steering rack though.

It's a curious remark to suggest that the power steering has any connection the balance of the car. Maybe the power steering behaves like a third damper? In theory the steering link can resolve some forces if the geometry is constructed appropriately. In past seasons, teams were using the steering system to over power the springs and lower the car in corners.

[AR3-GP]

"We need to manage our own expectations because we're bringing an update package that's going to consist of new suspension parts and bodywork," said Wolff to media, including RacingNews365.com.

"But I have never in my 15 years in F1 seen a silver bullet being introduced, where suddenly you unlock half-a-second performance. So I very much doubt that this is going to happen here."

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-cools-u ... ver-bullet

[Jdn1327]

https://www.formu1a.uno/aggiornamenti-m ... direzione/

George didn't like the new steering rack though.

It was unusable with the current suspension

Why test a steering rack that cannot be quantified with the current suspension? That wasted half an hour of run time for Russell.

[Farnborough]

George didn't like the new steering rack though.

It was unusable with the current suspension

Why test a steering rack that cannot be quantified with the current suspension? That wasted half an hour of run time for Russell.

Functional reality check prior to arrival at Imola most likely. Need to debug and not fall flat on their face for an unforseen issue with both cars updated when they arrive at next race. Important information was gathered no doubt. Didn't seem to affect GR performance in reality at Miami.

[Just_a_fan]

It was unusable with the current suspension

Why test a steering rack that cannot be quantified with the current suspension? That wasted half an hour of run time for Russell.

Functional reality check prior to arrival at Imola most likely. Need to debug and not fall flat on their face for an unforseen issue with both cars updated when they arrive at next race. Important information was gathered no doubt. Didn't seem to affect GR performance in reality at Miami.

Makes sense - make sure the rack actually works properly under real conditions. No different to adding other parts on a trial basis that are then taken off and not raced at that event. Teams do these things all the time.

[Jdn1327]

It was unusable with the current suspension

Why test a steering rack that cannot be quantified with the current suspension? That wasted half an hour of run time for Russell.

Functional reality check prior to arrival at Imola most likely. Need to debug and not fall flat on their face for an unforseen issue with both cars updated when they arrive at next race. Important information was gathered no doubt. Didn't seem to affect GR performance in reality at Miami.

Ok that makes sense. Out of interest. When does a new part get added to the cost cap figure? Is it in production or when it is placed on the car?

[chrisc90]

Why test a steering rack that cannot be quantified with the current suspension? That wasted half an hour of run time for Russell.

Functional reality check prior to arrival at Imola most likely. Need to debug and not fall flat on their face for an unforseen issue with both cars updated when they arrive at next race. Important information was gathered no doubt. Didn't seem to affect GR performance in reality at Miami.

Ok that makes sense. Out of interest. When does a new part get added to the cost cap figure? Is it in production or when it is placed on the car?

Soon as you buy the materials, design, produce it. (so Merc running that rack for 10mins on Georges car will have cost them)

From memory there is some parts that can be carried over to the following year, but it gets confusing and technical.

On another note, how does the steering box/pump have a overall improvement to the suspension?

[AR3-GP]

Functional reality check prior to arrival at Imola most likely. Need to debug and not fall flat on their face for an unforseen issue with both cars updated when they arrive at next race. Important information was gathered no doubt. Didn't seem to affect GR performance in reality at Miami.

Ok that makes sense. Out of interest. When does a new part get added to the cost cap figure? Is it in production or when it is placed on the car?

Soon as you buy the materials, design, produce it. (so Merc running that rack for 10mins on Georges car will have cost them)

From memory there is some parts that can be carried over to the following year, but it gets confusing and technical.

On another note, how does the steering box/pump have a overall improvement to the suspension?

The rack could have a different ratio and/or more or less power assistance to match a different front suspension geometry.

By the sounds of it, the steering was very heavy for George.

[Jdn1327]

Ok that makes sense. Out of interest. When does a new part get added to the cost cap figure? Is it in production or when it is placed on the car?

Soon as you buy the materials, design, produce it. (so Merc running that rack for 10mins on Georges car will have cost them)

From memory there is some parts that can be carried over to the following year, but it gets confusing and technical.

On another note, how does the steering box/pump have a overall improvement to the suspension?

The rack could have a different ratio and/or more or less power assistance to match a different front suspension geometry.

By the sounds of it, the steering was very heavy for George.

So with Russell stating the steering was 'too heavy' would that mean the new part was a failure or not designed to work with the current suspension geometry?

[Just_a_fan]

Soon as you buy the materials, design, produce it. (so Merc running that rack for 10mins on Georges car will have cost them)

From memory there is some parts that can be carried over to the following year, but it gets confusing and technical.

On another note, how does the steering box/pump have a overall improvement to the suspension?

The rack could have a different ratio and/or more or less power assistance to match a different front suspension geometry.

By the sounds of it, the steering was very heavy for George.

So with Russell stating the steering was 'too heavy' would that mean the new part was a failure or not designed to work with the current suspension geometry?

Could be either, could be both. Or they just need to change some setting/valving to make it acceptable to the drivers.

[Jdn1327]

Has James Allison been brought back because of his experience with push and pull rod suspension setup that RB has?

[AR3-GP]

Has James Allison been brought back because of his experience with push and pull rod suspension setup that RB has?

because Mike Elliot doesn't think he's fit for TD.

[PlatinumZealot]

James is better at sniffing around car setups and tinkering with desing numbers and those things.

Elliot is better at team planning and operational strategies.

So best for them to go back to their comfort zones.


James Allisons has always made cars that are very kind to their tyres and had complicated front wings.... Well that's what I observed don't what he does on the inside.

[pursue_one's]

According to AMuS, Toto Wolff announced that in the first practice session, both W14s will be out directly in the B-version.
There is also another kit of spare parts just in case. A direct comparison test of old versus new would be of no use.

Toto Woff: "The package is simply too big for that."

https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/for ... f-zweifel/