Mercedes GP W02

[Mandrake]

Looks definetly better than last year's contender. With the longest lead time though it looks too simple for my liking, nothing tricky, nothing suspicious going on, tiny rear end begins to tighten up a lot later than RedBull, I can only imagine that the flow won't be as efficient as the RB7's

[i70q7m7ghw]

Looks definetly better than last year's contender. With the longest lead time though it looks too simple for my liking, nothing tricky, nothing suspicious going on, tiny rear end begins to tighten up a lot later than RedBull, I can only imagine that the flow won't be as efficient as the RB7's

IMO the rear looks better than the RB7. They've managed to lift everything off the diffuser so the exhaust can blow across the full width and also through the starter hole, which has been shaped to optimize this.

Red Bull have more a coke bottle shape, but from the images I've seen they haven't exposed the starter hole like Merc & Sauber have.

[dren]

The actuators for the rear wing are in the endplates. You can see the access panels there.

[PlatinumZealot]

I think they are in the fences at quater span of the wing. I suspect that the actuator is located in the main plane and there are linkages that come up through the fences that pull the wing down. I suppose that the access panels at the side is for servicing??

[RacingManiac]

The rear upper ball joint looks like its just hanging out there...kinda odd since in that new A-arm thread posted yesterday you can see them bonding on aero-profile trailing edges to the end of the metallic insert for the A-arm...that balljoint is just sitting in the airstream...

[csponton]

Mercedes W02 GP
http://spontoncristiano.wordpress.com
The Mercedes W02 GP presented this morning in Valencia is definitely a very different car than the previous year and more in line with the winning cars of recent years.

The snout is high with section V. Seeing these first presentations will understand very well that Red Bull in this area, as well as in the other car, did the school. Only Ferrari have a slightly earlier that dissociates from fashion in 2011.

Even the front wing is quite different and is characterized by a triple lot of work that surely will be refined before the race in Bahrain.

Completely new air intake on the engine and roll bar and bonnet shapes vaguely reminiscent of the McLaren MP4-25. The Mercedes left the knife on the roll bar, used instead of the Lotus TF128 presented yesterday. Also completely new air intakes on the sides (quite lengthy) that are very small and high. Very refined the rear which has some very tapered sides (not at Red Bull), the presence of the pull-rod suspension and low discharges. All these innovations were introduced to work in the best way the speaker to generate more downforce load as possible. The speaker is still very simple design but it certainly needs to be significantly as the first developments in Bahrain and throughout the season. Also on the back you notice the presence of gills on the hood to try to dispose of more hot air as possible.

Confirmed, however, the push-rod at the front even if the suspension seems to be completely new in comparison to that used in 2010

Also new is the rear wing that fully respects the 2011 technical regulations.

The version presented by Mercedes in Valencia will undergo significant aerodynamic developments in many areas before the race in Bahrain and is scheduled for the fourth race of the season developed significantly.

The strong point of this car will be built by Mercedes that KERS will be very compact and lightweight and can not therefore affect the balance of the car..

[ajdavison2]

I've been looking through the past few pages and can't find any mention of this, so sorry if it has already been covered, but why is the merc the only car without turning vanes on the sidepods, or at least turnin vanes that only go up to what looks like a few centimeters? wondering if any aero guys could shed some light on this?

[Ferraripilot]

I was wondering the same. Perhaps something to do with their sidepods being so small?

[luca]

Steering wheel:


Diffuser/starter hole detail:

[luca]

Unfortunately hydraulic issues plagued them all day...

On the other hand, Ross Brawn was quoted saying that they are working to introduce an exhaust system similar to the one brought by Renault.

[Intego]

According to German AMS Brawn said that they're working on a system similar to the Renault R31.
And MCL is to come up with sidepods à la STR plus this system, but blowing the exhaust gases in the cavity/hutch between sidepod and floor. That would validate Ringo's thinking of it.

Blowing it under the car is not the right idea. That is wrong.
High pressure air belongs on top of the floor.

Could be another nice season.

Source: auto-motor-und-sport.de
Google translation

[luca]

VALENCIA TEST - DAY ONE

The MGP W02 made its debut in Valencia today as Formula One’s pre-season testing programme kicked off at the Spanish circuit. The new Silver Arrow was unveiled by Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg in the pit lane this morning with Nico the first to get behind the wheel of the new car once the testing action got underway.

Nico completed nine laps before coming to a stop on track with a hydraulics problem. The team worked hard to fix the issue, enabling Michael to go out at the end of the day to complete his first exploratory laps with the car.

Nico will drive again tomorrow with Michael completing the programme on Thursday.

Nico Rosberg: “The good thing is that I felt completely at home and comfortable in the cockpit straight away this morning. Initial impressions are very difficult to make as we’ve now changed to the Pirelli tyres but the feeling was very good. It just feels like a better car in general and it will be good to have a full day to really make progress tomorrow.”

Michael Schumacher: “It has always been and is still very special to go out in a new car for the first time, and I very much enjoyed today even if it was just a few laps that we could do. Maybe you could sum it up with: interesting but short! It was mainly about doing a few system checks today and I am looking forward to the laps to come. All in all, I am very happy after today’s launch of our new baby, and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Ross Brawn: “It felt good to see the MGP W02 finally take to the track after so much hard work from everyone at the factory to prepare the car for this first test. Michael and Nico felt comfortable and had a good feeling from the car, although we were limited in the mileage that we achieved today. We had a hydraulic problem early on which limited Nico’s running but were able to change the system to get Michael out for a few laps at the end. The first tests are about focusing on reliability, which admittedly was not great today, and getting the KERS system functioning well. Performance testing will develop over the next month as we get more running under our belts.”

Source: http://www.mercedes-gp.com/en/#/category/race/

[747heavy]

[raymondu999]

Still looks like the 2009 front wing

[ESPImperium]

That front wing wasnt developed last year as it still had the most ammount of downforce at the start of the year, and was eclipsed by Red Bull halfway, and to my guestimation still will be second in hown much downforce it can produce. Id recon that renault will be snapping at their heels with their front wing however.

If it aint broke....

But i do think it will get alot of development this year as the FFA isnt allowed in 2011.