sutton-images.com Mercedes drives with aero grille
11.11.2016
D he new regulations drive the engineers around. How should you test 2017 components with cars that are 20 centimeters narrower than the vehicles in the coming season? The wings and diffuser will have completely different dimensions in 2017. Significantly more baffles are allowed in the area in front of the side pods.
That's why Mercedes surprised the competition with a large dynamic pressure grille behind the left rear wheel of Lewis Hamilton's W07. However, no new components could be seen on the Mercedes with the starting number 44 that would suggest an anticipation of 2017. But what did the world championship team then test?
FIA had to approve Mercedes test
The engineers provided the solution. Chief Technology Officer Paddy Lowe explained: “The main thing was to compare our wind tunnel and simulation programs with reality. This should help us to better correlate the route and the wind tunnel. In an area that will be extremely important for the next year. ”
The rear wing is getting wider and lower. This changes the flow conditions behind the rear wheels. “So far we have only ridden with flow grids behind the front wheels. It was the first test of this kind on this part of the car, ”reveals Lowe.
Hamilton drove over the home straight at constant speed and at racing pace. 'Lewis drove his fastest lap on the medium tires with this machine,' said Lowe with amusement.
The FIA first had to approve the test. Aero tests on Friday are allowed, but only on condition that they do not exceed the maximum dimensions of the car, do not impair the driver's view and are not installed near the crash structures.
Mercedes had to be Trim the measuring device a little so that it does not protrude more than 60 centimeters above the imaginary center line of the car. In the gallery we have some photos of the sensor. And also the tests by Williams and Red Bull.
