Team: John Owen (CD), Loic Bigois (HA), Craig Wilson (Head of Vehicle Eng. & Dynamics), Russell Cooley (CE), Ross Brawn (TP), Nick Fry (CEO), Norbert Haug (VP), Thomas Fuhr (MD), Rob Thomas (COO) Drivers: Michael Schumacher (7), Nico Rosberg (8)
A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
Looking at the pictures, I don't know if we will see anything different with the sidepods tomorrow. I expect a new front wing, but I think the pods on it today are the new ones.
RacingManiac wrote:That looks like a lot of rear positive camber....
Well there you go, I guess you've just found them a second right there.
It must be some kind of an optical illusion. But know knows, if MVR can put their tires the wrong way round...
I think there will not be any major changes anymore. How are they going to change on the car big portions like the side pods, now?
The current car still got all the attachment points for the current sidepods, as well to the floor. On top these appear to be made from one piece, rather than smaller elements, wherefore it must be almost impossible to exchange them.
If you look at the Ferrari the sidepods appear to be made from multiple smaller panels, instead of one big piece like on the Merc.
Unless this is still the test mule and they will retain the old attachment points, and holes in the chassis when attaching new ones, but building complete new chassis for Australia in the factory.
I think all they got left is front wing and some other smaller aero mods, prolly that is it.
So now that it's been pointed out that yesterday's sidepods ARE the new sidepods, I wonder if the "fit and finish" we've been complaining about here with the interface between sidepod and floor was a choice made on purpose? Maybe they chose not to put a smooth radius or fillet there for some reason...(not just lazy/shoddy craftsmanship).
This is definitely the new sidepods. Why would they make new sidepods just to change them again two days later?
And a new front wing is definitely coming. Don't know how different it will be though.
I am hoping for some kind of upgrade for the floor too, because that floor is just too simplistic around the rear wheel area for my taste. Look at the amount of detail there on the Ferrari, RB or even Torro Rosso... The solution on the Merc right now lacks refinement...
On the Bottom right hand corner of the picture Zgred kindly posted, there is a panel on the sidepod that finishes just under the S of Malaysia.
Still think there is somthing in the works, although its just a hunch and I'm probably wrong.
@ajdavidson
Yup its an old Honda display car in Merc livery.
POST EDIT:
Its the exhaust mod panel, looked a bit different on my laptop.....