Mercedes GP W02

[jav]

No sign of Bob Bell in the news is a good thing probably. It probably means he's busy making drawings rather than making headlines.

yes and no... regardless of how I feel about Merc's technical abilities, I'm sure some pretty sharp minds at Ferrari and McLaren have grown tired of drawings. Like so many races before, but especially this past Sunday- Vettel and his Redbull made EVERYONE appear minor league... even his own team mate.

He lapped almost everyone and some twice! We need drawings to compete with Ferrari and Mclaren...we need devine inspiration to beat this boy and his car.

[munudeges]

No sign of Bob Bell in the news is a good thing probably. It probably means he's busy making drawings rather than making headlines.

I don't take it as good or bad news. Bob Bell just isn't that kind of character. Never has been.

[Byronrhys]

I just hope he doesn't give us an R29 lol.. hopefully that was more Alison's thinking than his.. Anyone think its time for a W03 thread? we already have a RB8 and MP4-27...

[ringo]

I think generally it's a very good car, rather than just generating a lot of DF. It's very good under braking and traction as well. It's not stellar on drag level, but I'm willing to bet they have the best (even if only by a small margin) L/D ratio

I agree it is good under braking and has good traction, but all of that is aided by higher levels of DF. I think fundementally the car is well rounded. Slap on more DF than the rest and it'll be that much better. If the W02 had similar DF levels with a similar L/D ratio to the Red Bull, I think the W02 would be fighting for victories.

I don't think it's good under braking. I agree it's good on exit tracktion, but that's about it.
Look on Turkey this year. Highest top speed on the straight, and still being passed approaching the hair pin.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

I just hope he doesn't give us an R29 lol.. hopefully that was more Alison's thinking than his.. Anyone think its time for a W03 thread? we already have a RB8 and MP4-27...

Hold fire on the W03 thread a bit longer....

[raymondu999]

Why not? The RB8 and MP4-27 threads are all speculation too anyways

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Why not? The RB8 and MP4-27 threads are all speculation too anyways

Its up to whoever starts it. I think its traditional now that Brawn gives a short interview with the direction of the car just before the end of the season.
Gives a couple of pointers as to where Merc will go with the design.
I just hope it doesnt involve him promising a "winning car"....

[raymondu999]

I think he actually stated a while back already didn't he? That the new car will NOT challenge for the championship.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Probably mandated to say that by Stuttgart.

Go ahead, start the thread. The W02 is pretty much a cooked goose now that there arent any more updates anyway.
Hell, the updates they did bring were particularly hard to spot too!

[Mandrake]

I think he actually stated a while back already didn't he? That the new car will NOT challenge for the championship.

Could also be some kind of reversed logic. I mean, W01 and W02 were said to be WDC/WCC contenders, yet they were far off. This time he says they won't be in the fight and tadaaaa, they will be

What BRawn's statement does is taking pressure off the whole team. They know they must deliver, but their car is not praised the magic weapon before the season.

[raymondu999]

Nah it was just a case of the Emperor's New Upgrades. Only worthy eyes can see them

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Nah it was just a case of the Emperor's New Upgrades. Only worthy eyes can see them

Can I use your specs please Ray?

Seriously though, the front wing change was being listed as an update, it was a tiny fence running diagonally in the same fashion as before only more proud of the bodywork.
With oncoming air I dont see how it would change much to be listed as an "update".

I dont have the numbers and this is an Uber sensitive area of the car, so yes it probably gives them 1 ballhairs worth of pace.
Very different from the ever changing MP4-26 cascade wing.

+1 Mandrake

[raymondu999]

Heh. I was joking. If you know the story of the Emperor's New Clothes, it's that a group of scam artists con the emperor into buying a new robe that "could only be seen by worthy eyes." There was in fact no robe, but the emperor couldn't bring himself to say he wasn't worthy enough so falsely said he could see the robe.

By extension, my comment meant there WAS no update. Only Merc tried to con us into saying there were

[Mr.S]

I think he actually stated a while back already didn't he? That the new car will NOT challenge for the championship.

Could also be some kind of reversed logic. I mean, W01 and W02 were said to be WDC/WCC contenders, yet they were far off. This time he says they won't be in the fight and tadaaaa, they will be

What BRawn's statement does is taking pressure off the whole team. They know they must deliver, but their car is not praised the magic weapon before the season.

All true Mercedes fans hope the same. To be honest we should have patience & see what W03 does in Australia before commenting. Let's have faith in Bob Bell & give him time.

[dren]

I don't think it's good under braking. I agree it's good on exit tracktion, but that's about it.
Look on Turkey this year. Highest top speed on the straight, and still being passed approaching the hair pin.

I thought Schumacher said the car had good traction and braking? I think the W02 just has to slow down more than other cars going into a corner because it can't carry the speed due to a lack of DF.