2023 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[dans79]

The team claimed high oil temps, but I honestly think that was just an excuse so they could retire the car.

George was out of the points, and already has to stretch the engines he has left because of the Aus failure.

[Hammerfist]

Sometimes I think this team is being sabotaged from the inside. I just cannot shake out that story earlier this year of the rumored error with the wind tunnel scale models, and then this utterly strange performance level this weekend, even Austin seemed uncharacteristic for them to make such a mistake. Maybe RBR planted a mole in there. Who might that be? Hmmm...

That makes total sense, with the windtunnel penalty RB had extra headcount available and they moved some to Merc to mess with their windtunnel model. Genius.

Exactly

[mstar]

How old was Russel engine? Is this the first merc PU failure?

It was end of life anyway last of its cycle so from what Toto said anyway.

[cplchanb]

Sometimes I think this team is being sabotaged from the inside. I just cannot shake out that story earlier this year of the rumored error with the wind tunnel scale models, and then this utterly strange performance level this weekend, even Austin seemed uncharacteristic for them to make such a mistake. Maybe RBR planted a mole in there. Who might that be? Hmmm...

That makes total sense, with the windtunnel penalty RB had extra headcount available and they moved some to Merc to mess with their windtunnel model. Genius.

Exactly

well in fairness, IIRC, the report was that the staff involved in the debacle were immediately fired. from a team that has a no blame culture that is some serious action for a mistake.

[chrisc90]

That makes total sense, with the windtunnel penalty RB had extra headcount available and they moved some to Merc to mess with their windtunnel model. Genius.

Exactly

well in fairness, IIRC, the report was that the staff involved in the debacle were immediately fired. from a team that has a no blame culture that is some serious action for a mistake.

It almost doesnt make sense.

I mean it would have to be for Mercedes to prove that it was completely intentional in order for them to immediately sack them.
If there was a genuine accident, then the staff would have plenty grounds for unfair dismissal if that was the case.

[Luscion]

That makes total sense, with the windtunnel penalty RB had extra headcount available and they moved some to Merc to mess with their windtunnel model. Genius.

Exactly

well in fairness, IIRC, the report was that the staff involved in the debacle were immediately fired. from a team that has a no blame culture that is some serious action for a mistake.

i'd argue that's more than a justifiable reason to fire someone over, you've essentially cost the team all the development for the W14, any chance of them fighting for the championships, wasting millions and tons of time and resources going down a path thinking there was performance there and pushing them further back in the development race all because you didnt double check the model scale in the windtunnel

[denyall]

No blame doesn't mean no accountability...

[CHT]

How old was Russel engine? Is this the first merc PU failure?

It was end of life anyway last of its cycle so from what Toto said anyway.

After 20 races with just 4 engines, I am sure every engine on the grid can be classified as end-of-life. In a championship race, such engine failure should never happen. A driver will be better off taking a penalty than DNF. In F1, end of life is supposed to mean completing its last intended race, not failing in the middle of the race.

Furthermore, Merc engines were known for their reliability, such failure cannot be taken too lightly.

[TFSA]

No blame doesn't mean no accountability...

Actually it does in the context here.

[ValeVida46]

It almost doesnt make sense.

I mean it would have to be for Mercedes to prove that it was completely intentional in order for them to immediately sack them.
If there was a genuine accident, then the staff would have plenty grounds for unfair dismissal if that was the case.

When you have correlation to CFD, there are certain inputs that need to be perfectly in line with the CFD numbers or the outputs will be off. Velocity, force and pressure measurements etc.
If you had 2 or 3 guys (the rumoured number that were instantly dismissed) who do not utilise the set standard accurately, and do so consistently, it is very easy to prove wrongdoing or negligence.

[214270]

Not at all sure how they select the bodywork package but they returned back to the slim rear exit in Brazil. I’m guessing they went aggressive on cooling, off the back of how little PU mgmt they required in Mexico, and planned to manage temps in-race with LiCo; maybe also reaping benefits on deg. They got it wrong & RUS nearly cooked the engine - I don’t think there’s a big mystery.

[Luscion]

Allison also thinks it was just a setup issue

https://www.planetf1.com/news/james-all ... -brazil-gp

[SiLo]

Allison also thinks it was just a setup issue

https://www.planetf1.com/news/james-all ... -brazil-gp

Wouldnt surprise me, every sprint weekend there has been a team that have got the setup wrong.

[cplchanb]

Allison also thinks it was just a setup issue

https://www.planetf1.com/news/james-all ... -brazil-gp

Wouldnt surprise me, every sprint weekend there has been a team that have got the setup wrong.

like their pit crew challenges they need to sort out this issue. they cant rely on schumacher pulling all nighters to fix their initial setups

[Venturiation]

Not at all sure how they select the bodywork package but they returned back to the slim rear exit in Brazil. I’m guessing they went aggressive on cooling, off the back of how little PU mgmt they required in Mexico, and planned to manage temps in-race with LiCo; maybe also reaping benefits on deg. They got it wrong & RUS nearly cooked the engine - I don’t think there’s a big mystery.

Can they improve cooling next year with real sidepods? The head of PU said in pre 2022 that he wasn't happy how much he did have to make it compact for the aero