Mercedes team still figuring out next year's F1 car concept
Sep.21 - Mercedes is in the process of deciding the basic "concept" of its 2023 car.
It is of particular concern for seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has struggled arguably more than new teammate George Russell with the win-less current single seater.
"Right now my focus is on expressing what I want for the car next year, because development happens very quickly," said Hamilton.
The Briton said designers have already decided on the major components of the car, including braking, front suspension and gearbox layout.
But the basic aerodynamic concept is still up for grabs, as Mercedes' innovative 'no sidepods' idea was not followed by the more competitive Ferrari and Red Bull.
"You'd always say that the fastest car is the one that's got the best concept," said engineering boss Andrew Shovlin. "So today that's Red Bull.
"Where that goes into next year is difficult to say. And certainly we, as a team, have not fixed what our car is going to look like.
"We're still exploring different concepts and that process will go on for some time," he added.
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache, however, warned Mercedes that catching up will not simply be a case of copying the dominant car's sidepod concept.
"I am not sure it's the best or worst concept, I think it's just one part of the puzzle," he said.
"For sure if you develop your car around a certain concept and then change it, it will be difficult to find the benefit of it."
Generally, most insiders agree that the all-new 'ground effect' regulations that came into force this year has improved the wheel-to-wheel racing.
As for bringing the field closer together, however, that is yet to occur.
"The budget limits will only really take effect after three to five years," Haas boss Gunther Steiner told Laola1.
"Only then will the teams be closer together. Now, the financial differences are still simply too great."
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I hope Mercedes fix this car because I like the look of it.
So when Lucy and Tonto say we've the best engineers in the business ermmmm...
"You'd always say that the fastest car is the one that's got the best concept," said engineering boss Andrew Shovlin. "So today that's Red Bull.
Whats the betting next yrs Merc will be a Rb clone....!
All the teams watch what the other teams are doing design-wise. Binnoto admitted to copying the bits and pieces Red Bull were adding or subtracting in an effort to keep-up with or surpass their rivals. Then there's the army of dedicated engineers and technologists back at base, modelling all kinds of changes.
So I wonder what the next break-away innovation will be and who implements it first. It's interesting to witness.
My guess is Paddy had a hand in this yrs Merc, but no one at Merc will admit to it .
Mercedes needs to do a better job than this years bollocks which only goes to show what we all know that it's the car that wins titles and not the drivers who pilot them
False impression of drivers ability
Maybe the drivers should be independent of the teams and change team every race. Several drivers have proved they can jump straight in a car and be fast and it would save the teams vast amounts in drivers pay.
Now wouldn’t that be fun to watch + no tyre changes under safety car+ clock stopped during sc + refuelling allowed but with a time penalty if under safety car. That’s F1 I really wouldn’t want to miss.
Oh and bring back v8’s.
Why are people always asking to go backwards
Don't we constantly sit around watching waiting to see what bits and bobs they come up with an develop
Then when they get here we just want to go backwards
How about we just wait for the next set of buts and bobs to come along
We all hated the halo once
We wanted them to just sit a double decker on it as it was designed to do and not install it on the cars
But it has already saved a few lives and some from injuries
We are now thankful for them
The old ground shaking engines were just overly powerful bombs that could blow up uncontrollably current engines have expensive sensor tech that prevents that but sound whingy and no fun but there are benefits
We have to take it all in not just the selective parts we want
A Big engine blow up, was part of f1 and perversely we loved it, but with today's battery operated cars we don't get that, BUT Honda, Renault, and Merc produced ultra reliable petrol guzzling f1 engines that almost never blew up,even at 19000 rpm bit like today really..... Esp Hondas , not sure WE all hated the Halo, from Senna's last race to Jules death, as I remember there was a very prominent f1 driver against the Halo from the beginning , as for benefits of todays f1 engines, i cant see any, the cost was meant to be less per engine, but again , at least at the beginning the cost to the teams for an engine supply was huge in $$$$$
I’m with you Stroppy, seems like poor value for money. I have recently bought a 600bhp v8 new for $10,500 single carb, no engine management, road use, easily built to run 1000bhp.
F1 engine 1.4 billion development cost, $10.5 million each, 1,000bhp.
That’s one hell of a lot for an extra 400bhp.
My road going replica only weighs just over 1000 kg so you should be able to lose 100kg easily out of a F1 car with a lighter simpler engine.
KISS
Killjoy, where’s the fun in that? You’ll be telling Stroppy he can’t call Hammy silly names next. At least it keeps us all off the streets. Lighten up.
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