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Formula 1's triple-header was hardly an excuse to rein development for teams, and Austria was no exception. Mercedes inaugurated a Ferrari-inspired aerodynamic package while Renault, McLaren and Toro Rosso introduced notable innovations. As always, it was an opportunity for F1i's Nicolas Carpentiers to investigate and analyse.
MERCEDES' BODYWORK SLIPSTREAMS PAST FERRARI AND RED BULL
A week after introducing the "phase 2.1" of its engine in France, Mercedes brought to Austria a significant evolution of the bodywork of its W09 - probably its most important aerodynamic update since the beginning of the season.
Unlike the Ferrari, the Red Bull, the Haas and the Williams, the Silver Arrows displayed a classic configuration of the sidepod air intakes. Indeed, its side impact bars (i.e. one of the two carbon bars hidden under the bodywork to absorb shocks, marked in yellow above) is not lowered to the maximum permissible as is the case on the Ferrari.
© F1i
STRUCTURAL LIMITATIONS
Mercedes looked at Ferrari's design while maintaining the positioning of its crash structures. While in essence it is a new wrapping, do note that the interior air duct has been slightly redesigned, as can be seen by comparing the blue arrows above. The outline of the air opening in the pontoon is a little rounder.
Instead of just being triangular, the air intake is rather more complex: compare the two areas marked in blue below. The base sits further forward and, on the sides, hugs the side panel and becomes a proper winglet.
© F1i
A vane (marked in pink) has been added, which is reminiscent of the one that can be seen on the Ferrari.
The rear-view mirror has received an additional pylon (compare zones marked in yellow), whose curved base acts essentially as an aerodynamic element. The "C" shaped deflector which was placed in front of the mirror is now attached (compare the elements marked in green).
