2018 Presentations: A Mercedes that Evolves Subtly
Mercedes unveiled its W09 live on its website at Silverstone after the car completed a few laps with Valtteri Bottas at the wheel. As expected, the 2018 Mercedes is primarily an evolution of its predecessor.
Before Ferrari unveils its new single-seater, the presentation of the Mercedes W09 at 1 p.m. was the focus of attention.
The formidable efficiency of the Mercedes W08 has led Mercedes engineers not to drastically revolutionize a well-tuned machine. However, this does not prevent noting some technical developments compared to last year.
Let’s start with the front of the W09:
Firstly, the nose remains the same as last year, but the cape-shaped appendix under the front of the car has been revisited, being flattened and slightly moved backward. The aim here is to direct the airflow towards the flat floor to better stick the car to the ground (see photo 4 by Tobi Grüner below).
Further back, we notice an extension of the floor in front of the bargeboards which allows for the addition of three appendages that serve to redirect air towards the rear of the car and to clean up the dirty air coming from the wake of the front tires (see photo below).
OH MY 😍 look at that detail in behind the @MercedesAMGF1 W09’s bargeboards!
Also note the fluted floor extensions, which are new for this year ahead of the bargeboards. pic.twitter.com/2uQ6CaZhN5
— Matthew Somerfield 🅢🅞🅜🅔🅡🅢Ⓕ① (@SomersF1) 22 février 2018
Just behind, the side-pods are slightly raised with narrow air intakes like on the Red Bull RB14. The central air intake has also been widened to compensate for the negative aerodynamic aspects of the halo (see photo 3 below).
How about some more close-up pics of the new Mercedes W09? Check out our AMuS gallery: https://t.co/paaHqKNThY pic.twitter.com/cmZhTwbTFW
— Tobi Grüner 🏁 (@tgruener) 22 février 2018
Precisely, the halo currently does not have any appendages permitted within the 15-millimeter zone around the device as specified by the regulations, but its profile is very flat on the top.
Another modified area is the engine hood, which is very tight like on the Red Bull and Renault, suggesting that more effective cooling solutions for power units have been found by the different engine manufacturers (see photo 2 below).
Detalles del Mercedes W09. Trapecio delantero elevado con extensión. tipo2017. Gen d vórtice en trapecio inferior. El trabajo d empaquetamiento d pontones a motor y cambio va más allá del d 2017. Aletín en zona Y100 fijado a soporte ala posterior. pic.twitter.com/L6fNcEBewl
— Albert Fabrega ES (@AlbertFabrega) 22 février 2018
Note also the significant work done on the rear suspensions with a very raised upper triangle, likely for aerodynamic reasons, but also to help combat the oversteer that plagued the W08 (see photo below).
Something funky going on with the rear outer suspension mounts. You can also see the exhaust stepping up over the inner suspension mounts as seen on the fire up video. pic.twitter.com/i3ISpFUZBZ
— Craig Scarborough (@ScarbsTech) 22 février 2018
Finally, we can note the presence of a small T-Wing in front of the exhaust outlet, similar in size to the now-banned Monkey Seat, as well as a single support pillar for the rear wing (see photo 3 by Albert Fabrega).
