Mercedes AMG F1 W06

[Aaronque]

Oh look at that!

[SectorOne]

With the amount of vortex generators on cars these days why is it that we usually only see some of them?
For example there´s VG´s on top of the sidepod right? Why don´t we see anything in that region?
Is it simply so sensitive that there´s a different mixture of air at the height of the rear wing or are they simply much much weaker?

[Just_a_fan]

The vortices are difficult to see against bodywork - we did see some on the Red Bull's barge board a couple of years ago if I remember correctly.

What's interesting in the shot above is the vapour in the rear wing's wake. Can't remember seeing that before.

The vortices become visible because the local air pressure within them drops. As it drops the air can approach the dew point - the point at which moisture in the air condenses out. The dew point is a function of temperature and pressure - air at a given temperature and pressure can hold a certain amount of moisture. Reduce temperature or pressure and the amount of moisture the air can hold reduces.

[lewishamilton90]

w06 different project in all areas(giorgio piola on gazzetta dello sport today)

[astracrazy]

I apologise if this stuff has already been mentioned but i have been looking at this picture and its quiet interesting


(right click and open)

I didnt notice the steep drop along the top of the sidepods before nor how tight the engine cover area really is

[pimpwerx]

I notice this year Mercedes have modified the body at the back along the mid tail fin (not sure of its `official name`). Last year it went down to a sh arp point but this year they look to have made it split out into 2 just infront of the monkey seat.
Why would they do this? Would it help the airflow to/over the monkey seat be of a more uniform nature, it looks to me like it would push the air more into the sides of the seat!

I know it`s a very minor detail but why would they not just continue the fin down.

http://s15.postimg.org/5hcwqa0rv/rear.png

I`m not sure if its just the pictures (not this one) i`m looking at but the rear wing also looks slightly further forward!

/novice

Hi Mattchu

I believe Mercedes will convert to a single rear wing support strut at some point in the future and the split has been designed to accommodate the strut.

Would it create a vacuum above the exhaust in the current configuration, allowing better expansion of the exhaust gases? PEACE.

[turbof1]

The whether or not real vortex is going to its own thread. It's a feature of the car, but it looks like it is going to dominate the topic too much. Do please continue here: http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewto ... 12&t=21488

[Just_a_fan]

I notice this year Mercedes have modified the body at the back along the mid tail fin (not sure of its `official name`). Last year it went down to a sh arp point but this year they look to have made it split out into 2 just infront of the monkey seat.
Why would they do this? Would it help the airflow to/over the monkey seat be of a more uniform nature, it looks to me like it would push the air more into the sides of the seat!

I know it`s a very minor detail but why would they not just continue the fin down.

http://s15.postimg.org/5hcwqa0rv/rear.png

I`m not sure if its just the pictures (not this one) i`m looking at but the rear wing also looks slightly further forward!

/novice

Hi Mattchu

I believe Mercedes will convert to a single rear wing support strut at some point in the future and the split has been designed to accommodate the strut.

I'm not so sure. The benefit of the twin supports is that they can create a quite elaborate monkey seat wing system. Single supports tend to have less involved monkey seats which are probably less effective. If they maintain a slight power advantage then the drag penalty of their complex monkey seat is probably offset by the better downforce. They get a bit more downforce without losing out on top speed, in effect.

In the picture, I think the vertical cut off of the fin is because the rules set the extent that the fin must cover. They cut it off as soon as they can to aid clean flow to the monkey seat. The slight thickening evident at the end of the fin is probably just enough to stop it vibrating excessively.

[OO7]

Would it create a vacuum above the exhaust in the current configuration, allowing better expansion of the exhaust gases? PEACE.

No, I don't believe it serves that purpose.

[OO7]

I'm not so sure. The benefit of the twin supports is that they can create a quite elaborate monkey seat wing system. Single supports tend to have less involved monkey seats which are probably less effective. If they maintain a slight power advantage then the drag penalty of their complex monkey seat is probably offset by the better downforce. They get a bit more downforce without losing out on top speed, in effect.

In the picture, I think the vertical cut off of the fin is because the rules set the extent that the fin must cover. They cut it off as soon as they can to aid clean flow to the monkey seat. The slight thickening evident at the end of the fin is probably just enough to stop it vibrating excessively.

Mercedes have not run with any updated aero parts yet. The front and rear wings, under monocoque quadruple element vanes and monkey seat are essentially 2014 parts. It could be that they have decided to alter their philosophy around this area and will introduce a monkey seat that is very different to the one they currently use.

In any event, a single strut support doesn't precluded the use of a complex, multi-element monkey seat, as we have seen with Force India's VJM07 and Red Bull's RB10:





As for the split in the fin, I believe it is too large and too aerodynamically disruptive to serve the purpose you allege Just_a_fan. A thick airfoil insert (shaped like a pitot tube covering), should provide the structural rigidity without turbulence.

[Morteza]

Air filter (placed higher?)
http://www.servimg.com/view/14795526/1718

It is the launch picture of W05. It also had it high it seems:

[TAG]

Caught this interesting bit of paddock talk while reviewing Peter Windsor and Scarbs TRE offerings. Also of it we've heard before but check out what Peter says at 3:36.

[Mattchu]

I notice this year Mercedes have modified the body at the back along the mid tail fin (not sure of its `official name`). Last year it went down to a sh arp point but this year they look to have made it split out into 2 just infront of the monkey seat.
Why would they do this? Would it help the airflow to/over the monkey seat be of a more uniform nature, it looks to me like it would push the air more into the sides of the seat!

I know it`s a very minor detail but why would they not just continue the fin down.

http://s15.postimg.org/5hcwqa0rv/rear.png

I`m not sure if its just the pictures (not this one) i`m looking at but the rear wing also looks slightly further forward!

/novice

Hi Mattchu

I believe Mercedes will convert to a single rear wing support strut at some point in the future and the split has been designed to accommodate the strut.

Thanks, never really thought of that possibility which does sound very feasable. They seemed to just wan`t to run a specific program at this first test and run loads of miles while checking out air flow around the side pods and underfloor (at least that`s where i seem to recall most of the flo-vis paint going) and probably check all the cooling systems are ok.
Hopefull we will see several new bits and pieces at the next test, i`m sure they didn`t want to show to much this early because that gives other teams time to copy/improve and develop for their car!

@Blaze1 -> I`m not so sure about the thickening to stop it vibrating excessively, last year it tailed of to a sharp point and they didn`t seem to have any problems with that. The new Williams is even more pointy and hasn`t got any rear wing struts

Looking forward to finding out which way the various teams go...

[Timstr]

Paddy Lowe: The other more obvious visual differences concern the rear wing – which will move to a central, single pylon configuration for structural and aerodynamic reasons –...

This was in the W06 launch press pack Q&A.
I think the intention was to run with the single pylon at the first test, but it may have been delayed.

[PlatinumZealot]

Caught this interesting bit of paddock talk while reviewing Peter Windsor and Scarbs TRE offerings. Also of it we've heard before but check out what Peter says at 3:36.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8yEoSjOlSY

Thanks man. Loving that news there from Vettel Senior.