Mercedes W16

[Brahmal]

In the head-on view, the logo and silver stopping short of the nose-tip makes it look like a car from the high-nose era. Almost an optical illusion, for me at least.

[zioture]

Mercedes: A Puzzling Aerodynamic Tunnel
The new Mercedes W15 continues with the raised sidepod concept, aiming to channel airflow between the floor and sidepods to maximize ground effect. The idea seems promising, but a key issue emerges:

The aerodynamic tunnel ends in a dead zone, creating a pressure area that could generate unwanted turbulence.
Trapped airflow might negatively impact the diffuser’s efficiency, reducing downforce and stability in corners.
If this configuration proves problematic, Mercedes could find itself chasing rivals once again, forced to revise its aerodynamic philosophy mid-season.

Here article and video https://www.newsf1.it/f1-news-mercedes- ... questions/

[F1Krof]

It's a cut-copy-paste of RB20. My hopes aren't that big tbh.

[Quantum]

It's a cut-copy-paste of RB20. My hopes aren't that big tbh.

It's iterative from the W15.
The P shape inlets are now tidied into Red Bull's solution, but still a carry over ethos of the W15.
The cannon engine cover was Mercedes W14 idea that got copied the other way.
The nose meeting the lowest wingflap element with no slot gap was also on the W14.
All moot as its how that floor works that will be the biggest difference.

[JRodrigues]

Why would they need that removable panel in the tip of the nose? ballast? sensors?

[wiktor977]

Why would they need that removable panel in the tip of the nose? ballast? sensors?

It's more likely option to put a panel with or without a cooling inlet.

[Lasssept]

[organic]

Front wing span distribution is interesting especially outboard goes against the trend with the 2nd element having a larger chord length than the mainplane whereas most cars have it the other way around at this point

[f1rules]

lol at the undercut, insane

[Lasssept]

[K1Plus]

It's a cut-copy-paste of RB20. My hopes aren't that big tbh.

It's iterative from the W15.
The P shape inlets are now tidied into Red Bull's solution, but still a carry over ethos of the W15.
The cannon engine cover was Mercedes W14 idea that got copied the other way.
The nose meeting the lowest wingflap element with no slot gap was also on the W14.
All moot as its how that floor works that will be the biggest difference.

Perhaps you could call the W16 a culmination of W15, taking some inspiration from W14.The cannon shoulders and the front wing show the W14 had some good ideas in it.

[Lasssept]

[SSJ4]

lol at the undercut, insane
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GkoaEHCWgAA ... me=900x900

Literally looks like the amr 24. Which is interesting since Aston opted away from it but Mercedes have chosen it

[Farnborough]

Front wing span distribution is interesting especially outboard goes against the trend with the 2nd element having a larger chord length than the mainplane whereas most cars have it the other way around at this point

It's interesting what they are generally doing with that lowest front wing element, across the teams.

For want of better description, looks like laying a "carpet" of conditioned flow down to be accepted by the floor strakes and entry conditioning to that further flow.

Not particularly technical in description, but appearance of flow condition to broadening underfloor attachment and spread of operation effectiveness.

That's "projection" from my part, in forwarding description discussion point.

[Holm86]