[Team] 2022 Car Launch and Testing Thread

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Exactly.

Verstappen sums it up quite nicely in my opinion:

Source: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ve...-this/8952985/

I’m sure there’s a fix, there’s always a fix. Even Hamilton has admitted the car would be quick if they can tame it.

Anyone watching the coverage live can see the issues Mercedes was having though, and were not just talking straight line speed, that can be explained away in engine modes/ fuel….but generally the car looks like a pig to drive, it’s not compliment…so I’d say they are actually having issues right now…..the big question is, how quick can they get on top of it.

[S griffin]

It will take time to get it sorted. And I think Hamilton is right.

Mercedes have to things to sort on the car, it seems tricky to drive, even if it is fast. They need Hamilton to be on top of his game and hope all the technical designers can sort the car out in due time

[Aysedasi]

Anyone would think we've never heard of 'smoke and mirrors' before.....

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Anyone would think we've never heard of 'smoke and mirrors' before.....

Normally I would agree, if it’s a straight line deficit, but it’s not….why would you compromise your winter testing by deliberately making you car handle like that?

[VIVA GT]

One thing is for sure is that there is now plenty of time for discussion and conjecture until next weekend until we finally fid out what the true story is which will help the time pass until qualifying on saturday.

[Aysedasi]

Indeed so - all will become clear soon enough I guess!

[bjohnsonsmith]

We will just have to wait and see.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

Normally I would agree, if it’s a straight line deficit, but it’s not….why would you compromise your winter testing by deliberately making you car handle like that?

That's why I'm more inclined to believe that Mercedes may have missed the mark this year.
They normally sandbag in the first pre-season test, tell everyone they're struggling, then in the last pre-season test, BAM!, and they blow everyone into the weeds.
That's their normally way of working. To go intentionally slow in the last test would be a bit out of character.

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

That's why I'm more inclined to believe that Mercedes may have missed the mark this year.
They normally sandbag in the first pre-season test, tell everyone they're struggling, then in the last pre-season test, BAM!, and they blow everyone into the weeds.
That's their normally way of working. To go intentionally slow in the last test would be a bit out of character.

Yup.

To be fair they had handling issues in testing last year too, which despite hamiltons win in the first race, took a few races to get on top of, but they did.

I think this year is a different proposition, it’s an unknown quantity. As above I suppose we will find out soon enough! I’ve no doubt they will get on top of it….just depends how many points advantage red bull or ferrari have by the point they do!

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

That's why I'm more inclined to believe that Mercedes may have missed the mark this year.
They normally sandbag in the first pre-season test, tell everyone they're struggling, then in the last pre-season test, BAM!, and they blow everyone into the weeds.
That's their normally way of working. To go intentionally slow in the last test would be a bit out of character.

Quite. Right now they are going in to the first race with no real knowledge of their race pace. Shame, I was hoping they would blow MV/RB in to the weeds! Will have to wait a few races I expect!

Also a shame for Russell who I think is very good, but bit of a nightmare getting in to a front running team, perhaps without a front running car.

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Exactly.

Verstappen sums it up quite nicely in my opinion:

Source: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ve...-this/8952985/

Absolutely no different to screaming "my tyres are gone" and subsequently setting fastest lap. It's all about enhancing the legend. Real overcoming adversity stuff. Heroic.

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Absolutely no different to screaming "my tyres are gone" and subsequently setting fastest lap. It's all about enhancing the legend. Real overcoming adversity stuff. Heroic.

Mercedes and Lewis’s version of the children’s parable The Boy That Cried Wolff has been getting old for a long time.

[Adam43]

I see everyone still has the same problems as usual.

[dcp2685]

Originally Posted by Alan52

Mercedes and Lewis’s version of the children’s parable The Boy That Cried Wolff has been getting old for a long time.

I see what you did there.....

[Sodemo]

I imagine F3 cars could go around some of those hairpins quicker than a 2022 F1 car. They just look so awkward and lazy mid corner.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I imagine F3 cars could go around some of those hairpins quicker than a 2022 F1 car. They just look so awkward and lazy mid corner.

Probably, F1 cars are heavy. But remember the 2022 F1 cars are made to new safety standards (+20kg to the driver cell) which will soon filter down to F3.

Then you have +23kg for the 18" wheels & wide tyres compared to the narrow 13" wheels and tyres from 2016, the F1 car has an 8-speed gearbox vs the F3-car's six speed gearbox etc etc. The F1 car has a number of reasons for being heavier.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I imagine F3 cars could go around some of those hairpins quicker than a 2022 F1 car. They just look so awkward and lazy mid corner.

F3s should give the F1s a good run for their money at Monaco.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

Probably, F1 cars are heavy. But remember the 2022 F1 cars are made to new safety standards (+20kg to the driver cell) which will soon filter down to F3.

Then you have +23kg for the 18" wheels & wide tyres compared to the narrow 13" wheels and tyres from 2016, the F1 car has an 8-speed gearbox vs the F3-car's six speed gearbox etc etc. The F1 car has a number of reasons for being heavier.

BMW 2.4 litre V8 69 kg, Current engine weight 175 kg min plus 30 kg batteries. Nuts for a racing car.

[wnut]

Interesting piece here from Scott Mansell and Scarbs on how
Mercedes managed to pull off their side pods and the structures under them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nLeJIfzVXw