Mercedes AMG F1 W04

[raymondu999]

This mini diffuser is indeed connected to the main diffuser through the starter hole. The Ferrari this year has a similar solution.

They're allowed to do that? Isn't the smh subject to a prescribed shape and dimensions?

Could youcook up some diagrams dren? Cheers

[dren]

This mini diffuser is indeed connected to the main diffuser through the starter hole. The Ferrari this year has a similar solution.

They're allowed to do that? Isn't the smh subject to a prescribed shape and dimensions?

Could youcook up some diagrams dren? Cheers

Well, you see how Red Bull "blows" their starter motor hole right? This is the same deal, they just use the area under the crash structure to make the diffuser a tad larger. Ferrari is doing something similar this year.

The starter motor hole is a hole through the diffuser. The mini diffuser is on top of the main diffuser. This hole allows some air below the car to pass to the top of the diffuser where it further expands through the mini diffuser. There was a good picture of the W03 where you could look through the mini diffuser and see the tarmac.

[Owen.C93]

They had it last year. Look through the W03 thread for some explanation. But it pretty much just scoops some air up into that little exit to improve the expansion and help keep it attached in the center.

Other teams blow air into the diffuser to do the same job albeit without increasing the size of the diffuser.

[Rushman]

I don't think so, because the main Layout seems to be the same like the W03 one:

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/9650/difuser3.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/205zg2r.jpg
(image from this post: http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewto ... &start=795 )

At the W03, the bottom of the diffuser was just a round hole for a starter. And there is no slot, which is the input vent at the bottom of the diffuser.
An illustrative example:


At the W04, the air enters through the slot of below (green) and output from back (red).
An illustrative example:


And I think it is due to this decision, they were so noticeable advantage on tests. Similar to the one in 2009. And similar results of time confirm this.

Add: Yes indeed, it was already on the W03 year ago. But the slot was somewhat different form or not so noticeable. Hats off to you guys.
For example:

You can see the ground through the mini DD, so it must be the starter hole.

[mix2mix]

I don't think so, because the main Layout seems to be the same like the W03 one:

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/9650/difuser3.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/205zg2r.jpg
(image from this post: http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewto ... &start=795 )

At the W03, the bottom of the diffuser was just a round hole for a starter. And there is no slot, which is the input vent at the bottom of the diffuser.
An illustrative example:
http://imageshack.us/a/img441/1051/w03diffuser.jpg

At the W04, the air enters through the slot of below (green) and output from back (red).
An illustrative example:
http://imageshack.us/a/img109/6990/w04d ... erflow.jpg

And I think it is due to this decision, they were so noticeable advantage on tests. Similar to the one in 2009. And similar results of time confirm this.

I think to you bring conclusion skimble-skamble based on unclear fotos, and some curved shape shadow, what you've got illuminating this foto.

[Coefficient]

I don't think so, because the main Layout seems to be the same like the W03 one:

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/9650/difuser3.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/205zg2r.jpg
(image from this post: http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewto ... &start=795 )

At the W03, the bottom of the diffuser was just a round hole for a starter. And there is no slot, which is the input vent at the bottom of the diffuser.
An illustrative example:
http://imageshack.us/a/img441/1051/w03diffuser.jpg

At the W04, the air enters through the slot of below (green) and output from back (red).
An illustrative example:
http://imageshack.us/a/img109/6990/w04d ... erflow.jpg

And I think it is due to this decision, they were so noticeable advantage on tests. Similar to the one in 2009. And similar results of time confirm this.

I think to you bring conclusion skimble-skamble based on unclear fotos, and some curved shape shadow, what you've got illuminating this foto.

What is Skimble-Skamble?

[Rikhart]

Actually I do think he is right, they have a double diffuser-like part in the middle, and this looks clearly illegal:



If you zoom in, they have an open scoop shape at the bottom, above the starter hole, feeding air into the opening below the crash structure. How can this possibly be legal?

Edit: And apparently ferrari are doing exactly the same, but a bit less ostentatious:

[Nando]

[Mika1]

Actually I do think he is right, they have a double diffuser-like part in the middle, and this looks clearly illegal:

http://i.imgur.com/sJONEdn.jpg

If you zoom in, they have an open scoop shape at the bottom, above the starter hole, feeding air into the opening below the crash structure. How can this possibly be legal?

The RBR cars look illegal as well, but that doesn't mean it is illegal.

[Matt Somers]

Its an area used by Mercedes, Ferrari and Toro Rosso mostly and has been throughout 2012 so don't think this is where Mercedes performance has solely come from although obviously a better exhaust solution and clearer coke bottle obviously contribute to gains in the region.

[Rikhart]

Well using an image from Scarbs:

http://scarbsf1.com/blog1/2011/03/22/tr ... diffusers/



No holes are allowed in the yellow area, and that big slot is certainly inside it, so it certainly looks illegal to me.

[wesley123]

no holes apart from the starter motor hole

[Shrieker]

True. Besides, the starter motor hole is not a tunnel that leads to the bottom of the floor like the DD.

[Rikhart]

But that spoon opening is clearly separate from the starter hole...

[Owen.C93]

But that spoon opening is clearly separate from the starter hole...

That's why it's joined by a paper thin slit.