Interesting. Seems like an easy fix as you say. What's the smart money on in Malaysia? MSC 3rd? lower or higher?
As you state and your pic above shows the port to be on the top side of the main wing. Somehow I remembered it wrong (thinking it was in a low preassure area) as this would indeed be a high pressure area thus forcing air down the rabbit hole. It would make sense that Merc would want a further drag reduction off the aero given the purpose of DRS and when it is applied.
I think the legality depends on how the DRS system is described in the rules. Does it have to be some sort of mechanical flap? This is the only excuse MB has for preventing a ban. If the DRS has to be a mechanical flap of some sorts, it is possible to design something that benefits from opening the DRS. Otherwise it's a driver operated system and therefor illegal. I feel a clarification coming that'll ban this MB system based on the unintented use of DRS.
They definitely have a podium shot at Malaysia, as well as a shot at pole as this is a track where they can really take advantage of their super f-duct technology not to mention this car is very fast through medium and fast turns. Higher ambient and track temps alone will bring the tires into their working temps.
Cheers. I'm going to take a huge gamble and put MSC on pole and rosberg 3rd I think. If they can get their race pace going, which should be possible seeing as 10-20 degrees is HUGE, they could well be in for a high podium or even a win.
I can see this but they need to solve their tire wear issue to win. I see Mclaren being even faster and Red Bull being next. Mercedes as the wild card.
I know W03 will dominate sectors 2 and 3 at the minimum. I'm still a bit unsure of their lower speed traction at this point but from what I've seen so far it's good but not the best. W03 is a bit like Red Bull in this way really. Mclaren will be very strong in Malaysia so I would be hesitant to bet against them. Lotus will perform there as well but mainly in sector 1.
And the car is very fast in high speed sectors. Many are saying it changes direction better than any car on the field. We shall see
Yes. There's only 3 slow corners really. The first corner, the hairpin before the start finish line, and turn 7 i think, an uphill corner, which can produce lots of wheelspin.
Yeah I agree. Don't think the Ferrari will do well there. Although the Ferrari does have decent mechanical grip and traction
FA is in the press admitting this will be a 'defensive' race for the team. He alludes to top speed problems down the long straights at Sepang. Damage control will be the order of the day for Ferrari.
Car is being setup for race pace this weekend so qualifying may take a little tumble. We will see. As for the tire situation, it's going to be difficult to say what will and won't work considering they will not be able to change any components until they are back in Europe.
Brawn saying earlier today that the only reason Red Bull and Lotus are openly objecting to the super f-duct system is because they do not know how it works, and if the FiA force the issue then Mercedes must go before the judges AND the other teams to explain precisely how it works. And Brawn I'm sure could care less about the super f-duct, he just wants to tie up the other teams thinking about it and developing it. F1 is chess.
The problem with this F-duct is that it works better in qualifying then in the race so it seems they will be destined to start in the best position possible but then fall backwards in the race. Obviously it is better to start further forward but it would be a frustrating situation over time. Malaysia should exaggerate the situation with such long straights and only one DRS zone.
I keep hearing the 'super f-duct' as it is being called operates the front wing during the race while obviously not the rear wing. If so, this will help their race pace a bit with it installed but I certainly see your point.
I think it's clear that an impact is being made. Have a look at the trap speeds for teams who have a good amount of downforce on their cars and you will notice the Merc is 5-6kph quicker. The backmarkers and some of the rear midpack runners are geared for higher top speed simply because they haven't as much downforce. W03 seems to have the best of both worlds. Hopefully their tires will be sorted
