Difference in wind tunnel time doubled: "Double whammy for Mercedes"
Lewis Hamilton lost his eighth title to Max Verstappen with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi GP on the last lap. Mercedes did win the 2021 championship as a constructor, but that puts them at a considerable disadvantage according to Peter Windsor.
The F1 journalist and former F1 team and sponsorship manager sees a big disadvantage for Mercedes at the start of 2022. The team received a first blow as they lost to Verstappen in the drivers' championship and a second blow is being dealt to the team in this winter break after winning the constructors' championship; Mercedes is only allowed to use seventy percent of the agreed 400 hours in the wind tunnel as a result of their gold medal.
Mercedes collects double blow
Windsor calls it a "double whammy" for Mercedes. The rule of giving the winner less time in the wind tunnel was created to try to bring the teams across the field a little closer together. Windsor says in a YouTube video: "They are going into a new season with a completely new car, but with ten percent less time in the wind tunnel. While Red Bull won the championship with Max Verstappen"
In his argument, Windsor mixes up the exact percentages. Before 2021, Mercedes was only allowed to use ninety percent of the time because they had come first. This year, that has been lowered to only seventy percent for the number one. For the number two, Red Bull Racing, that is also only 75 percent in 2022 compared to 92.5 percent in 2021. So the difference in time that the teams have in the wind tunnel has doubled, though, and so it could start to play a big factor in the battle between them.
the new regs are designed for less aero dependency and more mechanical grip. The options for aero improvement are in a very small box.
Just do a Google search on "The best F1 Aerodynamics Designer" and Adrian Newey's name appears in all the top searches! I am sure he will be able to interpret the new 2022 rules and be able to come up with a car that will give it an advantage over the other teams. Even since 2014, the RB cars have still been the best cars aerodynamically on the track. It is the Mercedes engine which gave them the advantage on power circuits. However, on twisty circuits (eg. Monaco), where engine performance is not that important, the RB cars have still been the best cars around.
Masi's decisions (in deciding who wins the wdc) having knock on effects for 2022
I think your crying is preventing you to be able to properly read.. have you read the article? Their time cut is purely based on them winning the constructors championship…
Written by all ex-Ferrari people in charge Nothing to see here at all. Totally normal ? ? ? ?
Once again trying to create parity in F1. Its a spec series with the limitations against the tops teams increasing to create a show.
Yip thats a disadvantage but the low rake 2022 philosophy is Mercedes bread and butter,let's see how Redbull deals with that change of design philosophy.
You clearly have no clue what you're talking about ... again. The philosophy of the W12 and those before it will be entirely different than the W13 with ground effect aerodynamics, less complex wings and larger tires. Go on twitter if you want to convince people you actually know what you're talking about.
Not at all the major changes will be introduced in 2026. The philosophy of low rake is Mercedes, thats their bread and butter mate, ar you saying thats not the case.
Seeing a post like this reminds me why I no longer post much here. It literally pointless engaging with someone like you. You couldn't be more wrong.
Dude, rake has nothing to do with ground effect... that is a very fundamental scientific difference.. if people are so blind to this because of their fanfare.. hilarious is an understatement :D.. don't ever try to fight Merc fanbois...waste your energy elsewhere :-)
i'm sure, it must be far less embarrassing for you when I do deign to comment and correct your fantasies.
yes, but all the cars will have very short wheelbases that short wheelbase philosophy is the world’s best f1 designer adrian newey’s specialty, see how mercedes deals with that change in design philosophy
Wrong mate, thats only gonna happen in 2026. “We think with the spec that’s evolving for ’26 there’ll be a very real chance of having a more compact car.” https://www.racefans.net/2021/11/02/f1-cars-will-be-smaller-but-not-necessarily-lighter-in-2026/ Adrian can design that short wheel base for in 2026 or 2022, but Mercedes have the low rake advantage with the same long wheel base up until 2026.
nah mate, 2022 regulations the wheelbases are half a tyre smaller also mercedes’ diffuser stalling which made them gain 30kph a straight is now banned ur mercedes team will only be a midfield one, without those 2 suddenly their only strength is the engine, but as we’ve seen its not enough, look at williams
Thank you ? great article , the 12 cm is gonna make a big difference ?. The Mercedes will look at the 2020 chassis that was their smallest and within the new regulations. I would love to read the 160 page regulations for 22 car, Google is not much help. If you come across it please share . Thanks again mate.
here. go read it and educate yourself. https://motorsport.tech/formula-1/f1-in-2022-how-teams-may-interpret-the-regulation-changes if link doesn't work google the article title
https://www.google.com/search?q=2022+f1+wheelbase&rlz=1CDGOYI_enSG949SG949&oq=2022+f1+wheelbase&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30l5.6006j0j4&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=-z_nL0ie8UGkzM now the wheelbases have a limit, up to 12cm shorter, but mercedes have always been using the longest possible wheelbase so this will affect them the most, while red bull and ferrari always use short wheelbases (seems like a small thing, but long wheelbases make the car more steady round high speed corners but very nervous in low speed corners, while short wheebases make the car very agile in low speed corners (look at those 2010 days) but very twitchy at high speed) and this is f1, so a few centimetres make a ton of difference
Please can you share the link confirming this, not that I doubt what you're saying , but I have searched for this and have only seen the dates for the smaller wheelbase cars from 2026 forward. I look forward to you response.
