Mercedes have never been specific with regards to the insides of their hydraulic system, but we know it was the only on the field which connects suspension diagonally as well as front to back. Mclaren's suspension issues for a race earlier (Ham's car) showed the car was connected only front to back. Scarbs wrote a good bit in a twitter exchange not long ago. THIS is why W03 was so stupid quick at Monaco even with W03s aero deficits. Everyone will change to this when they are technically able, which could be 2013. Scarbs: Mercedes have been running interconnected suspension since last year, it hydraulically links all four wheels together to control roll\heave Many teams link to the front to rear, to prevent dive and squat, Merc also link left to right and diagonally Its Mercedes with the system not Mac. LHs issue was a broken antiroll bar, proving they are not using fully linked suspension @ScarbsF1 Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari also use so called "fric"-systems, which connect the suspensions of the four wheels hydraulically. @tgruener Yes, but front axle to rear axle only, not for antiroll and warp control. @MercAMGF1Fans @tgruener No they cant switch back, the B-spec carbon case was designed around the system @MercAMGF1Fans It will provide some more low speed grip, but its main aim is to maximise aero. Without good aero its wasted. @MercAMGF1Fans That said if its not working it will wreck Aero & Mech grip
Stefano D said Ferrari and most other teams will know by the first race how they are doing but expect by July to be out of the development business and only focus on the 2014 machines. No real surprise there but I expect some teams to quit the 2013 development program even sooner. Unfortunately I dont expect an inspired season like last with the underlying focus on 2014 becoming more apparent with each race next year. Ferraripilot thank you for the posts on the Mercedes linked suspension and its theory.
Scarbs is a great guy and who knows how he finds this information. He's sort of an F1 James Bond in this regard. All credit to him!
Jan.7 (GMM) Ferraris 2013 car will be launched on 2 February 2013, according to the well-connected specialist Italian magazine Autosprint. The report said the car, codenamed 664 and probably to be officially called the F2013, will almost certainly be revealed to the world live via the internet, from Ferraris Maranello headquarters. Autosprint added that the car has already passed the FIA crash tests. The report also said Williams new FW35 will be launched on the opening day of the first pre-season test, at Jerez on 5 February. Toro Rossos STR8 will reportedly be unveiled on the very same day, also at Jerez, southern Spain.
... additional to my post above ... I read elsewhere there was a bit of a rift between Autosprint and Ferrari, and apparently, Maranello has already denied they will launch on Feb 2nd as originally reported by Autosprint.
http://miascuderia.com/media/2013/Preseason/CourtesyofHail.png Rough translation:- Accessories and wings The new Ferrari takes shape Mechanical elements of the 664 are ready Bigois and Sanchez study the new DRS Once passed the crash test of the first chassis (tub), work continues on the preparation of the mechanical parts of the project 664, code behind which lurks the Ferrari that will debut on the track on February 5 at Jerez for the first winter testing session. A job that involves material, shape, weight and size of attachments (eg radiators): actually, all that is hidden under the shape of the body. But they're working promptly in the aerodynamics as well, a sector that has been strengthened not only by Loic Bigois (formerly Mercedes) also by David Sanchez (former McLaren), who join Ben Agathangelou (formerly Red Bull). Both Bigois and Sanchez have considerable experience in developing mobile rear wing (DRS), which, as told in the pre Christmas dinner by Stefano Domenicali, will have an even greater importance next year, as it will not be able to be used freely in practice and qualifying. The goal is to increase the top speed, that has also beneficial effects on the engine power (increases the airflow and consequently the overpressure on the intake supply). The aerodynamic shapes are being analyzed in the Toyota wind tunnel at the industrial suburbs of Cologne, where Ferrari will be forced to work at least until September, or whenever the restructuring of the Maranello wt is completed: already late, even for 2014 car (the first of the new turbo era). The project to create a completely new tunnel sibe by side to the one created by Renzo Piano has has been dismissed long time ago because of the excessive cost: they speak of 70 million euros.
I just heard the nose of F2013 is of a very different design compared to F2012, so expect something more contoured.
Red Bull will unveil their new 2013 car, the RB9, at their Milton Keynes base on 3 February, ahead of the first pre-season test, which starts on 5 February in Jerez, Spain. Red Bull on Twitter
The major difference will be you won't see the bump or stepped noses. Last year the teams agreed on specs for a "modesty" cover to hide the bumps. Most, if not all teams, will take advantage of this.
They certainly did agree on the first part. I disagree that (m)any of 'em will "take advantage of this" - Unless...... +1 Haven't got the rules close by right now, but paraphrasing a little, "you can put **** on your car to make it look prettier. This **** can't however improve the aero of your car in any way"...... +1 Ain't gonna happen unless it improves *something*...... Charlie earns his $ IMHO. Cheers, Ian
I'm itching to see what Loic Bigios has planned for Ferrarim cause when he was at Mercedes he certainly didn't do much. Loic's productivity at Ferrari should be a good indicator regarding how tied his hands were/weren't while at Mercedes.
Confirmation of the Feb 1st F2013 launch date. Madonna di Campiglio, 16 January February 1st has been set as the date for the presentation of the car that will take part in the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship. Scuderia Ferraris team principal, Stefano Domenicali announced the news to the media at the Wrooom event, during his press conference held this morning at the Conference Centre in Madonna di Campiglio, the magnificent setting for the Press Ski Meeting, organised by Philip Morris International. There are just 15 days to go until the launch at Maranello; just one of the topics on the agenda for Domenicali who arrived here yesterday to take part in this event that has provided the symbolic kick-off to the racing season every year since 1989.
car release dates McLaren MP4-28 31st Jan Ferrari 1st Feb Force India VJM06 1st Feb Sauber C32 2nd Feb Red Bull RB9 3rd Feb Mercedes W04 4th Feb Toro Rosso STR8 4th Feb
Lotus E21 first pic, sort of. Cooling ducts built into the chassis. I'm going to venture a guess these cool directly the batteries. Image Unavailable, Please Login
http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35955:f1--new-ferrari-f2013-challenger-to-follow-form-of-f2012-but-with-new-exhausts&catid=1:f1&Itemid=157
Indeed. They're apparently going to run a "development" version of last years car at the first test. *Never* a good thing IMO - Puts you on the back foot before you've even started..... The only exception *may* be if you've got something super trick up your sleeve that you don't want to show too early. I'd love to see that, but somehow doubt it. Cheers, Ian
Ahh, "you never know!"....... Ross' DDRS and Mclaren's F-duct came from nowhere after all. "This is why we watch". Cheers, Ian