The new Mercedes was unveiled this morning at Silverstone, immediately showing a new aerodynamic platform at the front axle. Unlike the two previous cars, the nose of the W15 is totally new and shortened, resting on the second element of the wing. This surprise front-wing element is already generating plenty of conversation.
New Mercedes front wing features clever idea to minimise flap cord minimum
The new 2022 rules made life very difficult for aerodynamicists to unlock performance. As is well-documented, the FIA wanted to minimise the turbulent air that made overtaking so difficult.
This intervention was broadly successful, considering that with older generations of cars – despite the DRS – a car had to be at least 1.5 sec faster to overtake.
Currently, an advantage of 2-3 tenths can be enough to make a move. Formula 1 is also seeing more drivers capable of counter-attacks after being passed.
In 2024, it could become more difficult to maintain this trend if teams look for loopholes in key areas.
The front wing shown on the real W15, not the rendered one, appears to exploit an intelligent design of the fourth element (flap). Its aim is to reproduce, to some extent, the Y250 vortex.
This effect was among the main areas the latest regulations were designed to tackle. Previously, it was used by engineers on old wing specifications to generate load towards the floor entrance.
In addition, it served to ‘tidy up’ harmful airflows.
On cars up to 2021, where they were permitted, the vortices generated by the turning vanes and skirts controlled the flow directed towards the front edge of the floor. The clear aim was to facilitate this process.
As mentioned above, aerodynamically speaking, making this vortex “stronger” is usually advantageous. How much does this generate in performance?
Only a moderate gain, since taking an overly aggressive approach could create other complications.
The Brackley technicians seem to have worked extensively on this idea, partially recreating that type of effect. However, it will be interesting to understand the reactions of the competition.
A total review of the front platform of the car, including the shortening of the nose, was completely revised in Mercedes’ aerodynamic fairing and the crash structure. The nose now rests in the penultimate element, leaving the blowing between the main plane and the second flap free.
This represents a complete check-up of the Brackley car’s front end, which began in part last year with the redesign of the front wing introduced at Silverstone.
Authors: Giuliano Duchessa , Piergiuseppe Donadoni & Rosario Giuliana
Translation: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
