Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium
Update : Mercedes, the latest !
I just read a new Dutch Mercedes article :
=> https://www.gpfans.com/nl/f1-nieuws/...in-windtunnel/
Wolff fired people responsible for the Mercedes W14 wind tunnel tests !
1- Wrong calculations have been made with the W14 scale models.
2- Windtunnel testing has been done for the zero-pod design only.
3- A W14 with side-pods can't be made because the chassis is a specific zero side-pod design .
4- Mercedes can't change the W14 chassis in this season anymore .
5- The Mercedes chassis can only be changed in 2024 .
6- By these new discovered issues, Mercedes can't copy (copycat) the Red Bull RB19 with sidepods . |
Nothing repeated here is new. The entire chassis/concept of the W13/W14 is to have no sidepods so copying another car isn't going to work because the rest of the car isn't designed for it.
All Mercedes can do at this point is to spend whatever remaining cap they have for this season towards figuring out a concept for next year and onwards - essentially using this season and next season's budget for the W15.
Fortunately Mercedes, they already admitted that the W13/W14 concept was a failure so there is absolutely no reason to continue development for the W14 so its an easy decision to scrap the current car and begin developing next year's car.