© F1i & WRi2
MERCEDES ALONG THE PATH OF CONTINUITY
Unlike the Ferrari SF71H, the W09 is an evolution of its predecessor. It has kept the long wheelbase, without giving succumbing to the “rake” hype.
This explains why the changes visible under the bodywork are not that obvious, especially in terms of cooling. Thus, we find on this year’s single-seater a radiator installed in each sidepod (see the blue arrows). Particularity of the silver arrows since 2014: one of the two radiators located in the sidepods is connected to the intercooler (water/water) installed inside the monocoque, behind the fuel tank.
This arrangement is justified by the split-turbo layout of the Mercedes power unit, where the compressor, placed at the front of the block, is disjoined from the turbine, located at the rear. Grouping the compressor and intercooler at the front of the engine offers several benefits (as can be seen here).
On the W09, the triangular radiator needed to cool the ERS seems to have been split (compare the yellow arrows).
It is at the exhaust pipes that the difference between 2018 and 2017 is the most striking, as we can see by comparing the areas marked in red. On the W08, the pipes went up and over the panel covering the cylinder head. On the W09, however, the tubes are collected and confined within a compact area.
