Technical
Analysis - Mercedes’ mystery ‘S-duct’
At first sight it appeared that Mercedes were running an S-duct in the nose of the F1 W06 Hybrid in Brazil, although technical chief Paddy Lowe denied that it worked like the one used this season by Red Bull, McLaren and Force India. In fact what looked like an experimental aerodynamic device was in reality hiding something else the world champions were trying for 2016.
On Lewis Hamilton’s car in FP1 there was a completely new front suspension, with new mounting points, which were to evaluate how the car would work with a higher chassis, clearly something Mercedes are developing for next year to improve airflow under the chassis. Although subtle, this solution was visible from the bonded bulge on top of the car’s nose.
The ruse was confirmed when after FP1, the Mercedes mechanics removed the new rocker, damper and pedal assembly to refit the standard version for the rest of the weekend.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Feature ‘It became very clear and obvious’ – Newey on his Aston Martin move and teaming up with ‘arch-enemy’ Alonso
Feature From championship glory with one race win to triumphing by a single point – The most dramatic drivers’ title comebacks in F1 history
News Newey shares the key factors that attracted him to Aston Martin amid interest from other F1 teams
Video WATCH: What will Newey bring to Aston Martin? Will Buxton and Lawrence Barretto discuss the bombshell move