Mercedes is working on a derivative of the F-Duct

The FIA banned the system called F-Duct, implemented by McLaren in 2010, which does not prevent Mercedes GP from working on a similar system that would be perfectly legal. Air would enter through an opening placed on the front wing and would then be redirected to other parts of the wing to be sent towards the floor.

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The F-Duct system was invented by the McLaren team at the beginning of the 2010 season, then it was adopted and improved by the majority of the teams on the grid. It was eventually banned by the FIA because the driver could influence the aerodynamics of the car by covering an opening with his hand, which is not allowed by the regulations.

The Mercedes GP team is currently working on a similar system according to Auto Motor und Sport, but the German team’s system would be legal as it is not manually operated by the driver. The team’s objective would be to channel the unused airflow at the front to redistribute it on the front wing and at the level of the car’s floor.

According to the German publication, Mercedes reportedly tested this system in Japan during the first free practice session. Several teams, including McLaren, are already aware of this innovation.

“«If you start working on this system now, it’s already too late,»” Martin Whitmarsh told Auto Motor und Sport, even though he also acknowledged that most leading teams should test this system to assess its viability.

To get a better understanding of how this system works, visit the Auto Motor und Sport website.

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