chrisc90 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2023, 13:45
Bigger gap than last year aswell.
The car does work, at some tracks, and is very competitive. Can probably expect it to have a good second half of the race tomorrow aswell since the car seems to work a lot better once some of the fuel has burnt off. Almost seems like too much fuel its not the best, too little its not the best but midway to 1/4 tank left it really picks up its pace.
I can honestly see them coming out with a 'RB replica/concept' for next season, but there's going to be a long way to go for them to fully understand given some teams are 1 year ahead and some 2 years ahead at least. It's a big call for Lewis to say they need to go down that route, especially since he probably doesn't see all the data the development teams do in the factory. it would also be heavily reliant of the CFD models and simulations correlating nicely.
Im still surprised they havent brought a decent floor upgrade yet (from memory). It seems to be one of the key focus areas for a lot of teams at the minute.
Part of the concept is the scalloped fuel tanks to fit the radiator and intercooler to narrow the car. That results in an elongated fuel tank and the cockpit being forward.
Because the wider sidepods are now the best way to go, Mercedes no longer need to tuck its coolers in that space where fuel should be. They can put the coolers to the side and bring back the fuel tank and driver towards the cog and this will also allow the aerodynamic centre to come back as well. Mercedes concept did nit change with the monaco upgrade, that was more like putting lipstick on a pig. The underlying car was the same with the T shaped monocoque.