Mercedes AMG F1 W04

[stefan_]

Australia 2013 - Q1 (16.03.2013)

[copperkipper1]

Lewis's first mistake - Tinted visor... (Or is the one with him wearing the tinted one from FP3)

[radosav]

Tinted visor has filters for light that reflects from wet track, it helps drivers a lot!

[ak21_rao]

Rosberg not going with the monkey seat. I can see it only on Lewis's car.

[RicerDude]

Rosberg not going with the monkey seat. I can see it only on Lewis's car.

That pic must have been from P3 because it was definitely there on both cars in qualy.

[bhall]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6iaLusYNrM&feature[/youtube]

From 0:09, the right frame shows Hamilton during Friday practice. At about 1:07 or so, you see him take the last corner onto the front straight. Also depicted at that point is something quite rare by today's standards: significant rear suspension travel.

I'm no expert - "no sh*t" - but having such a compliant suspension that also manages to provide an aerodynamically stable platform is impressive, because those traits are most often mutually exclusive. I take it that's the FRIC?

[windtravels]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6iaLusYNrM&feature[/youtube]

From 0:09, the right frame shows Hamilton during Friday practice. At about 1:07 or so, you see him take the last corner onto the front straight. Also depicted at that point is something quite rare by today's standards: significant rear suspension travel.

I'm no expert - "no sh*t" - but having such a compliant suspension that also manages to provide an aerodynamically stable platform is impressive, because those traits are most often mutually exclusive. I take it that's the FRIC?

do you mean the view from behind as he heads up the straight? ferrari had the same, think its just due to the bumpy track at that moment.

[Ferraripilot]

From 0:09, the right frame shows Hamilton during Friday practice. At about 1:07 or so, you see him take the last corner onto the front straight. Also depicted at that point is something quite rare by today's standards: significant rear suspension travel.

I'm no expert - "no sh*t" - but having such a compliant suspension that also manages to provide an aerodynamically stable platform is impressive, because those traits are most often mutually exclusive. I take it that's the FRIC?

Wow, that car is bouncing all over the place out of that last turn. Interesting.

[Mika1]

It's the Fric System. According to AMuS, that sort of corners (last corner Melbourne) are ideal to use the FRIC-system.

[ell66]

Looks like the conditions favoured nico, lewis couldn't get to grips with the conditions slightly wrong set up perhaps let's see tomorrow if the weather is better

I can tell you didn't watch the session...

Besides this is the car thread.

[FoxHound]

@Bhall

The W02, and W03 exhibited the same traits. I see no other car with such extreme travel through corners.
Naturally, Mercedes aren't going to be publishing the innards of their car. But I think the real thing here is not just how the system works, but the data that goes along with the system. With the 2 years data on tracks using this system, it could prove pivotal to them having not only tuned the system correctly for each track BEFORE they even get there, but also in honing it to work more effectively with the Pirelli's.

[bhall]

Now the trick for Mercedes will be to keep it legal. The last time a team had any measure of success with a passive suspension stabilizer, as it were, the FIA deemed it illegal a full year after it declared it legal. For their sake, I hope Mercedes has more persuasive personalities than Renault had in 2006. Might be time to rehire Norbert "I Can Sell Anything" Haug.

[Ferraripilot]

Now the trick for Mercedes will be to keep it legal. The last time a team had any measure of success with a passive suspension stabilizer, as it were, the FIA deemed it illegal a full year after it declared it legal. For their sake, I hope Mercedes has more persuasive personalities than Renault had in 2006. Might be time to rehire Norbert "I Can Sell Anything" Haug.

How would it be banned? It has no moving parts, no computers controlling anything, it just is a passive entity. Unless of course a rule is passed stating no hydraulic-only suspension arrangements.

[bhall]

Of course, it has moving parts. That's how an inertial anything works.

Don't forget, Renault's tuned mass damper was purely passive, too. It was also initially deemed legal. But it was subsequently deemed illegal, because it was said to be "moveable aero." The Merc system can also be called "moveable aero."

(Please don't confuse this with any ill intent on my part. I just think it's a valid area for discussion given recent history.)

[FoxHound]

Problem is definition.

If "fric" is illegal by definition, it would lead to any suspension travel being illegal too. As this is a suspension component reaction to inertia.
No inertia, no reaction. It works via hydraulic pressure which cannot be stored, only manipulated.

The same as a bog standard suspension.

Ban "fric" and you are effectively banning any suspension travel.