Originally Posted by Carrera51

Mercedes has defintely figured out how to make the car good. Maybe next year, they will be more open about what it was they had wrong early in the season ever since they got caught cheating.

Originally Posted by ProCoach

FIFY

Originally Posted by Carrera51

LOL!

Well we do know that they couldn't make the zero side pod concept work in 2022 and half of 2023. I'm just happy that we have a fight for the title this year, though Max built a good lead prior to MB and McLaren making their big steps up to the top of the podium.

Originally Posted by ProCoach

In Toto's words; He said: "When you consider that five races ago we weren't even a contender for the podium, which looked like the third year of non-performance, then it clicked.

"Suddenly, everything that didn't make sense made sense. and the results of the development directions are back like in the old days. We are finding performance, we're putting it on the car, and it translates into lap time."

Originally Posted by multi21

I heard a podcast a month or so ago where one of the heads of Mercedes F1 said they had discovered what they were missing and, I paraphrase, "It was there all along, but we stupidly didn't see it." Whatever they initially didn't see, finally clicked like a light switch and they've been competitive ever since.

Originally Posted by multi21

I heard a podcast a month or so ago where one of the heads of Mercedes F1 said they had discovered what they were missing and, I paraphrase, "It was there all along, but we stupidly didn't see it." Whatever they initially didn't see, finally clicked like a light switch and they've been competitive ever since.

Originally Posted by 500

It's amazing how quickly the mood can shift in F1. A couple of months ago, Ferrari seemed to be right there, but now they seem just a tad off. Could all change again just as quickly. As you note Bish, there do seem to be repeated rumblings that Merc has a leg up on the next gen powerplants, but it is hard to believe at this juncture that anyone really knows.

Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda all have current, strong programs, so I would think those three will be there or thereabouts come 2026. RBPT is a hard one to call... on the plus side they have Ford backing which means the necessary dollars and perhaps access to some unique technology, and they have recruited a lot of experienced people. On the negative side is also Ford, and whether their expectations will harmonize with RB. Audi will need time and Renault/Alpine have steadily moved away from their position of one the best engine makers in the past 15 years, to the point where they may pack it all in and use someone else's unit.

So, I think Lewis is in a pretty decent place as I don't put much stock into the early power unit rumors and think it is still more of a coin toss between Ferrari and Mercedes.

What has changed dramatically is that early in the season, it felt like Lewis may be getting off of a sinking ship, but now it looks like the ship is still very solid and the team change is more of a lateral move.

Originally Posted by LuigiVampa

I always find it weird that in the age of computer models, and sophisticated wind tunnels, that they can bring an upgrade to a track which actually makes them go backwards.

How do they get this stuff wrong with all those resources?

Originally Posted by ProCoach

"Suddenly, everything that didn't make sense made sense. and the results of the development directions are back like in the old days. We are finding performance, we're putting it on the car, and it translates into lap time."

Originally Posted by multi21

Bizarre reason explained behind Ferrari's shock F1 slump:
- Ferrari has seen a decline in performance despite introducing a successful upgrade package that increased downforce.
- The SF24 car experienced handling issues at high speeds due to the upgraded downforce, not due to simulator-to-track data mismatch.
- The upgrade included a new floor and diffuser, which generated more downforce but strained the existing suspension configuration.
- The original suspension setup provided good balance but struggled to cope with the increased downforce levels.
- Since ground effect was reintroduced in 2022, Ferrari's suspension configuration has not effectively countered the increased downforce, affecting overall performance.
- Adjustments to an F1 car's suspension have significant impacts on its performance, with Ferrari realizing these challenges only when the car was on track.

VIA: [RacingNews365]

Originally Posted by LuigiVampa

I always find it weird that in the age of computer models, and sophisticated wind tunnels, that they can bring an upgrade to a track which actually makes them go backwards.

How do they get this stuff wrong with all those resources?

Originally Posted by thebishman

Ask Ferrari?

Originally Posted by Carlo_Carrera

Jeremy Clarkson seems to think Adrian Newey will be staying in England. Aston Martin?


https://www.crash.net/f1/news/105216...-hunting-claim