Mercedes W15

[cplchanb]

The focus on the floor stays at the rear would seem to highlight the dependence of DF and bouncing on rear ride height and, critically, the floor sealing from proximity to the ground (including flexing) of the floor edge.

I expect that for the purpose of formulating a dynamic model, the teams use WD testing to determine aerodynamic derivatives to spike out the dependence of certain dynamic characteristics of the car on its aerodynamic behaviour. And I would think that they test the various deformed (flexed) floor edges to do this.

Is this what they reverted to on the floor, just the stays?

https://x.com/gamer13_joao/status/17707 ... 5rN71eTA2g

how critically do the stays affect the aero? if its as simple as this to reset the car to its old better form that would be funny and nice a the same time.

[Stu]

The focus on the floor stays at the rear would seem to highlight the dependence of DF and bouncing on rear ride height and, critically, the floor sealing from proximity to the ground (including flexing) of the floor edge.

I expect that for the purpose of formulating a dynamic model, the teams use WD testing to determine aerodynamic derivatives to spike out the dependence of certain dynamic characteristics of the car on its aerodynamic behaviour. And I would think that they test the various deformed (flexed) floor edges to do this.

Is this what they reverted to on the floor, just the stays?

https://x.com/gamer13_joao/status/17707 ... 5rN71eTA2g

how critically do the stays affect the aero? if its as simple as this to reset the car to its old better form that would be funny and nice a the same time.

If it is that simple it really points to them ‘playing’ with flex in the floor structure!

[gavingav1]

The W15 in Australia

[PlatinumZealot]

I'm not mad at them anymore after I remember that they really are novices with the new floor concept. They will take a few more weeks or months before they get it working properly.

[Vanja #66]

At this point I'm wondering if the vortex coming off the middle of the front wing was Mercedes again trying to be too clever and ended up causing some trouble downstream... After 3 years, they can't be completely unable to establish a well balanced baseline floor design.

***

Some detail photos

[Stu]

At this point I'm wondering if the vortex coming off the middle of the front wing was Mercedes again trying to be too clever and ended up causing some trouble downstream...

I’ve been giving this some thought, as the wing flexes the vortex will be ‘switched’ on & off (or at the very least be seriously disrupted) at different speeds & yaw angles. Any benefit that it is having downstream will also be disrupted. Could the solution be as ‘simple’ as moving the flap adjustment to the inboard end of the assembly??

[Vanja #66]

I’ve been giving this some thought, as the wing flexes the vortex will be ‘switched’ on & off (or at the very least be seriously disrupted) at different speeds & yaw angles. Any benefit that it is having downstream will also be disrupted. Could the solution be as ‘simple’ as moving the flap adjustment to the inboard end of the assembly??

Yeah, it will have different vorticity and strength at different flap angles. Moving adjustment mechanism inboard might improve that, but it could also weaken the vortex in the first place by causing some losses on top.

[Stu]

I’ve been giving this some thought, as the wing flexes the vortex will be ‘switched’ on & off (or at the very least be seriously disrupted) at different speeds & yaw angles. Any benefit that it is having downstream will also be disrupted. Could the solution be as ‘simple’ as moving the flap adjustment to the inboard end of the assembly??

Yeah, it will have different vorticity and strength at different flap angles. Moving adjustment mechanism inboard might improve that, but it could also weaken the vortex in the first place by causing some losses on top.

It would give them the one thing the drivers are calling for though….

Consistency!!

[JordanMugen]

At this point I'm wondering if the vortex coming off the middle of the front wing was Mercedes again trying to be too clever and ended up causing some trouble downstream... After 3 years, they can't be completely unable to establish a well balanced baseline floor design.

In simple terms, the flow structures that exist in the CFD and wind tunnel and give great downforce numbers, don't exist all the time in the real world so that's where the downforce has gone missing on the real life car?

[Vanja #66]

It would give them the one thing the drivers are calling for though….

Consistency!!

Possible

In simple terms, the flow structures that exist in the CFD and wind tunnel and give great downforce numbers, don't exist all the time in the real world so that's where the downforce has gone missing on the real life car?

Well, I just threw an idea out there, it's strange to see them struggling so much with floor performance consistency so I'm looking at other things. I don't think this front wing flex would influence the vortex too much, but maybe it does. Or maybe they rely on it so much and put less emphasis on sidepod pressurisation to provide outwash and this combo maybe doesn't work as it should in high speed? Who knows...

[El_KaPpa]

No pictures of the floor yet ? I bet it's straight like a ruler

[CaribouBread]

No pictures of the floor yet ? I bet it's straight like a ruler

Best I've seen for now, we'll see more in a while.

[Mtshali_Motorsport]

There’s another one I feel gives a little more insight on the floor



Floor to me looks quite shallow in height

[Luscion]

There’s another one I feel gives a little more insight on the floor

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/21003 ... IF04Go0i0=

Floor to me looks quite shallow in height

Brightened up a bit so you can see more detail in the floor

[djones]

That will be a good picture for other teams.

How not to design a floor.