Alonso & AM..

[ZRX61]

Where the hell did that come???

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/64838388

[ChrisW]

Indeed - looking forward to seeing what happens tomorrow.

Even Stroll went well considering a lack of testing & gammy wrists that couldn't turn the wheel properly in the slower corners

[Rockburner]

It looks like being an interesting season.

[Bigjawa]

It looks like being an interesting season.

Qualifying pretty much as last year, RB, Ferrari and Merc with Alonso's exceptional talent dragging the AM higher than it should be.

Actually make that Russell and Hamilton dragging the Mercs higher than they would be otherwise too.

[ChrisW]

Qualifying pretty much as last year, RB, Ferrari and Merc with Alonso's exceptional talent dragging the AM higher than it should be.

I managed to hold off disappointment until the start of Q3.

[mangocrazy]

But it's fairly obvious that AM have made a major step forward with the new car. This time last year they'd have been lucky to have made it to Q3.

[Bigjawa]

But it's fairly obvious that AM have made a major step forward with the new car. This time last year they'd have been lucky to have made it to Q3.

Didn't have Alonso though, they had a disinterested Vettel and Daddy's boy who would be midfield in a Red Bull.

Alonso seems to be able to summon up speed when he's motivated, the problem is, if it doesn't last he loses interest very quickly.

[ZRX61]

Hamilton whined about being P7 & blamed it on the back end of his car.. & in the next breath pretty much praised the rear end handing of the Aston.. which is the same engine/trans/suspendies as the car he couldn't go as fast in.

[ZRX61]

Didn't have Alonso though, they had a disinterested Vettel and Daddy's boy who would be midfield in a Red Bull.

Alonso seems to be able to summon up speed when he's motivated, the problem is, if it doesn't last he loses interest very quickly.

Alonso was a lot more upbeat about his chances for the season after his qualifying runs, he'd been downplaying it for weeks. Probably has a good poker face.

[mangocrazy]

Hamilton whined about being P7 & blamed it on the back end of his car.. & in the next breath pretty much praised the rear end handing of the Aston.. which is the same engine/trans/suspendies as the car he couldn't go as fast in.

There's no inconsistencies in those two statements. The components that AM buy off Merc are the mechanical bits (engine, gearbox, rear suspension) that sit (for the most part) under the bodywork, and it's the bodywork and underfloor that provide the majority of the aero. All it means is that AM have done a better job with the aero using the same (mechanical) back half of the car as Merc. So Hamilton's comments make complete sense.

[Bigjawa]

Hamilton whined about being P7 & blamed it on the back end of his car.. & in the next breath pretty much praised the rear end handing of the Aston.. which is the same engine/trans/suspendies as the car he couldn't go as fast in.

There's no inconsistencies in those two statements. The components that AM buy off Merc are the mechanical bits (engine, gearbox, rear suspension) that sit (for the most part) under the bodywork, and it's the bodywork and underfloor that provide the majority of the aero. All it means is that AM have done a better job with the aero using the same (mechanical) back half of the car as Merc. So Hamilton's comments make complete sense.

Which makes me wonder how Merc have went so wrong, surely their design team didn't suddenly lose the ability to design a car? I'm not even sure Hamilton's heart is in it any more, I wouldn't call him the best ever, but of the present bunch he and Alonso are probably the best. Either Russell is a genuine driving god or LH is starting to think deep down about packing it in as normally LH is light years ahead of his team mate except Rosberg and Button.

[mangocrazy]

Which makes me wonder how Merc have went so wrong, surely their design team didn't suddenly lose the ability to design a car? I'm not even sure Hamilton's heart is in it any more, I wouldn't call him the best ever, but of the present bunch he and Alonso are probably the best. Either Russell is a genuine driving god or LH is starting to think deep down about packing it in as normally LH is light years ahead of his team mate except Rosberg and Button.

Yeah, Merc were so dominant for so long, but only after a change in the regs, which they clearly made the best out of. And now with another change of regs Red Bull have leapfrogged everyone and appear to have a similar level of dominance. Looks like Merc went down a blind alley with last year's car, and don't seem to have found their way out of it this year.

LH does seem to be a bit below par. Whether that's because he knows he can't win in this car or whether the fire has stopped burning so brightly I don't know. His first job is to beat his team-mate...

[Nordboy]

He's looking good for a podium

[ZRX61]

Well damn, we had a race.

... for 3rd

[Mr. Dazzle]

He's looking pretty good in Saudi too, chance of a pole

[ChrisW]

I reckon this is the face of someone who thinks he might have a chance

[Mr. Dazzle]

Worth mentioning that AM also use Merc's wind tunnel, which is quite a lot more involved than "let us stick our models in your tunnel". Gear box and rear suspension also make a massive difference to rear end Aero, it's not just a case of it being hidden under the bodywork.

Leaving aside the fact it's clearly rubbish, Merc's "zero sidepod" design is technologically brilliant. How exactly do they cool that thing?!

Supposedly a lot of it is very very clever heat exchangers from Reaction Engines.

[Rockburner]

Worth mentioning that AM also use Merc's wind tunnel, which is quite a lot more involved than "let us stick our models in your tunnel". Gear box and rear suspension also make a massive difference to rear end Aero, it's not just a case of it being hidden under the bodywork.

Leaving aside the fact it's clearly rubbish, Merc's "zero sidepod" design is technologically brilliant. How exactly do they cool that thing?!

Supposedly a lot of it is very very clever heat exchangers from Reaction Engines.

If they're using extra heat exchangers, is that not adding weight that others won't be carrying?
Or are they just using "better" heat exchangers than everyone else?

[Mr. Dazzle]

Better.

They've got water/air coolers in the engine while everyone else uses air/air (even customer merc engines). Reaction Engines' core tech is extremely good coolers, which basically allows Merc to provide the same cooling in a much smaller box.

https://reactionengines.co.uk/applied-t ... hnologies/

[ZRX61]

I reckon this is the face of someone who thinks he might have a chance

Not if he keeps doing what he just did... Good thing there was time for anther go...