Williams FW38 Mercedes

[Sevach]

It appears the wing came too late to make a difference, next race both drivers will do proper evaluation and setup, should be better.

[DiogoBrand]

The flo-viz pattern seems to be extremely even over the wing. They probably got it right there.

[Sevach]

If we didn't engage in armchair aero, this site would be extremely sparse.

And yes I also think the more rounded/sculpted nose would provide more consistent airflow over a range of yaw and pitch. I have an armchair too.

It seems our armchairs calibration is matching correctly

[Sevach]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/04/02/316633/

Massa on how the new front changes the balance.

[DiogoBrand]

I think it's understandable that the new wing messed with the downforce balance. If you look at the image, the AoA of the new wing seems way higher than on the old one.
Probably just a matter of getting to know the new equipment and how to adjust it.
And finally they have a FW that doesn't look like it's stuck in 2012.

[Martin_F]

[Raleigh]

The lap-time did not immediately materialize, but according to Massa the car had so much front grip in FP3 as to be undrivable...

That sounds like the kind of problem a team can learn to love

[Fulcrum]

Please excuse the MS Paint handiwork.



Assessing the left-hand edge of the 'thumb' profile, our left, it seems the new 'thumb' is wider relative to the advertising logos.

The change in perspective makes it difficult to assess precisely, but even the widest measurement of the old 'thumb' appears to be narrower.

The more visible change appears to be the transition in profile under the nose.



The nose also appears to have receded an inch or two relative to the mounting point and rear edge of the front wing.



Disclaimer: I am aware the images do not share identical perspective.

[Sevach]

It's suppoused to be 5 cm shorter, which would be 2 inches.

[Francesc]

http://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/willia ... to-684271/

[LookBackTime]

http://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/willia ... to-684271/

Google translate:
https://translate.google.com/translate? ... edit-text=

[Sevach]

I'm not positive this nose hole really exists...

[Raleigh]

I'm not positive this nose hole really exists...

Agree, just shadow and reflection, the vent is not nearly large enough to direct worthwhile airflow that way.

[Martin_F]

That hole is for driver ventilation, isn't it?

[domh245]

Assessing the left-hand edge of the 'thumb' profile, our left, it seems the new 'thumb' is wider relative to the advertising logos.

That would be a sensible thought. As they'd brought it back, they'd have to make it bulkier to allow it to still pass the crash test (which I seem to remember is based on deceleration relative to the distance into the crash rather than time into the crash)

That hole is for driver ventilation, isn't it?

Yes.