Big Changes in Store for Mercedes F1 Car at Austrian Grand Prix
Aerodynamic additions & modifications are aimed at improving airflow in Mercedes’ biggest in-season change this year for July 1 race.
After delaying power unit upgrades for the Canadian Grand Prix, and aero upgrades for the French Grand Prix, the Mercedes F1 team has a fully upgraded mid-season car to take on the next race at the Austrian Grand Prix according to Motorsport.
Although the changes take a sharp eye to spot, their effect is evident. For instance, new upright supports for the side mirrors have multiple uses. For one, they serve the purpose of holding the mirror up, but their contoured design also suggest that they will direct air coming off the front wing, and aim it toward the rear wing.
Just below those mirrors, AMG’s side-pods on the Mercedes F1 are also modified, with the main element of change coming from the slats at the front of the bodywork in that area. Like the mirror supports, this small element is more about flow direction to maximize air flow and down force, rather than create it alone. You can see it in these two images below.
The biggest visual difference comes with the rear wing. Angled sections where the wing would go from its widest part at top to the narrower mounting points below are now almost straight lined by vertical elements. Motorsport.com points out this is quite similar to a setup already used by the McLaren team. The wing still has supports that narrow towards the bottom, but these vertical elements will help assist in airflow at the back of the car far better than a flat element.
One other tiny, yet important detail comes up front. Tires are the least aerodynamic elements of a Formula 1 car, so controlling the turbulent air they create is paramount. Mercedes has added a dual element winglet just aft of the brake cooling inlet, which helps settle air moved about by the front wing, creating lower drag as it passes by the tire.
Lots of little improvements, then. But will they work during the race? We’ll find out this weekend.
Photos: MotorSport.com
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