Sidhartha.techie wrote: ↑21 Sep 2020, 20:59
Raleigh wrote: ↑20 Sep 2020, 23:37
adrianjordan wrote: ↑19 Sep 2020, 17:21
Can't remember where, but I saw a video which explained that AM will still be limited because they won't be able to change enough of their car to properly benefit from the newer Merc parts.
I fully expect them to slip back firmly into the midfield next season.
Old video maybe?
Racing Point just made a big update at Mugello, new sidepods, new brake ducts, yet more Mercedes inspired aero updates. At this point they are effectively running a W10.5 and have already made all the big changes needed to take full advantage of getting the W11 suspension and gearbox.
Plus, the new restrictions on copying don't actually start till 2021, Racing Point is well aware and has if anything accelerated their "W10 to W11" aero update program.
I think what adrianjordan was referring to is that, they cant run a car heavily inspired by W11 next year as the current tub has to be carried forward next year, and Mercedes made quite a number of changes to their 2020 tub compared to 2019.
But as you correctly pointed, racingpoint with the latest update have cleared the path for maximum benefit of the new rear suspension. They are still learning the package they have got, if they stick the rear end then I am guessing they are gonna be really fast next year.
Right, but everyone thought Racing Point wouldn't be able to copy the W11 sidepods because the side crash structure had been moved (which would require a new tub), yet Racing Point came up with a clever workaround that replicates the Mercedes sidepod concept without needing to move the crash structure.
W11 front suspension will bolt right in because the mounting points haven't changed and Racing Point have already adopted W11 style outer suspension/brake ducts ahead of the development restrictions. Everything else is just aero which remains free development. Haven't even used the 2 tokens yet.
Racing Point have successfully implemented all the changes they need to go from W10 concept to W11 concept and I'm absolutely expecting Aston Martin to turn up in Australia with a full featured W11 clone (in late 2020-spec no less).