Mercedes W16 Speculation Thread

[OverheatedTurbo]

I wonder how hard will the flexi wing clamp affect Merc’s winter development..

[zeroday]

I wonder how hard will the flexi wing clamp affect Merc’s winter development..

They've been struggling this entire regulation cycle, so this could be uninteresting. Let's hope not.

[falonso81]

The management of the rear axle issue by Mercedes will be worth monitoring in the current season. It is evident that W15 faces major obstacles especially during warmer conditions and on tracks which limit rear capabilities. Despite their recent track victories at Silverstone and Spa the team remains assured about their aerodynamic performance according to your statement. The remaining season will focus on Mercedes' adjustment to higher track temperatures together with their ability to handle their rear end issues.

[Lasssept]

SkySports

- George Russell has revealed that many of the changes the team made to the W16 had been in the "pipeline" for some time, but they were unable to implement them on the car last season.

"There have been a lot of… I wouldn’t say changes directly from last year to this year, these are things that have been in the pipeline for a long time, items that we couldn’t quite put on the car in 2024 but we’ve been working on them for a long time..."

“We’re optimistic it will be a good step in the right direction..."

https://x.com/russellius/status/1887558604519076115

[Farnborough]

They were banging up against the cost cap last year, from their own disclosure.

Notable in GR crashes plus the Antonelli one was specified by TW in reasoning for not bringing updates to car, even though they'd been developed.

[Lasssept]

[maygun]

They were banging up against the cost cap last year, from their own disclosure.

Notable in GR crashes plus the Antonelli one was specified by TW in reasoning for not bringing updates to car, even though they'd been developed.

It also might be that they were chassis-limited changes?

[Emag]

Beam wings are track-specific. This doesn't represent a permanent change.

[Henk_v]

You are right, but wouldnt it make sense this is the beamwing for testing/shakedown? Or if not at least the beamwing for the opening race?

[Emag]

You are right, but wouldnt it make sense this is the beamwing for testing/shakedown? Or if not at least the beamwing for the opening race?

I would imagine they have a couple of configurations prepared for testing. Based on what they learn from them, they will choose what to run on Melbourne.

[Farnborough]

My understanding is that reduction of beam wing gives LESS effect from venturi, that in its attachment to base of rear wing flow causes the venturi effect to be less potent.

All the previous MB in this era, appear to major on % bias of floor in greater proportion vs wings, that's in comparison to other chassis. This essentially giving that almost uncontrollable spike in downloading they've struggled with so far.

The more successful chassis of this era, appear to have more of a "blend" in load generation shared between the upper aero and underfloor. I'm not suggesting much difference, but difference in choice of design teams nevertheless.

Very high reliance on "pure" floor generated load seems ultimately to produce that absolutely peak load just some of the time and when they can hold it within those strict boundary.

With top side SLIGHTLY more promoted, that seems to bring a more rounded performing sphere to the chassis. Possibly at the expense of those isolated highest peak performance races.

[SiLo]

Motorsport It:

During 2024, Mercedes has often suffered from excessive degradation of the rear tires over long distances due to overheating, thus limiting traction performance

A problem also shared with Aston Martin, which uses the same components, and which Mercedes is trying to solve for 2025 with the W16.

https://x.com/Motorsport_IT/status/1880915098023420280
https://x.com/JunaidSamodien_/status/18 ... 7722312128

Probably why they looked so good in cool conditions. They didn't need to compromise the setup to account for this.

[Lasssept]

Nugnes / Motorsport It

- The team are confident of bringing an ambitious W16 to the track…
- There are rumors circulating in the UK that George Russell is quite enthusiastic after working carefully in the simulator with the W16
- It seems that Allison's engineers, including Resta, have found the issues with the W15 and have finally managed to design a car at the weight limit

https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-me ... /10694803/

[HungarianRacer]

Nugnes / Motorsport It

- The team are confident of bringing an ambitious W16 to the track…
- There are rumors circulating in the UK that George Russell is quite enthusiastic after working carefully in the simulator with the W16
- It seems that Allison's engineers, including Resta, have found the issues with the W15 and have finally managed to design a car at the weight limit

https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-me ... /10694803/

Thanks for specifying the source right at the beginning of your post. If it wasn't for that, I would've gotten excited by this information...

[KimiRai]

Nugnes / Motorsport It

- The team are confident of bringing an ambitious W16 to the track…
- There are rumors circulating in the UK that George Russell is quite enthusiastic after working carefully in the simulator with the W16
- It seems that Allison's engineers, including Resta, have found the issues with the W15 and have finally managed to design a car at the weight limit

https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-me ... /10694803/

Thanks for specifying the source right at the beginning of your post. If it wasn't for that, I would've gotten excited by this information...

It's not like he's always wrong... but yes, caution is advised