Mercedes F1 Engineer “Chassis and PU can no longer be developed separately”[F1-Gate.com]

Mercedes F1 has not received much attention for the problems it had on the engine side early on, as the problems with the W13’s bodywork were so prominent in the new F1 regulations for 2022.

The poor performance of the Mercedes F1-powered fleet at the season opener in Bahrain sparked early theories that rival manufacturers may have overhauled the benchmark high-performance powertrain division of the V6 turbo-hybrid era.

However, there are many other issues with all Mercedes F1 engines, and the factory team’s W13 had a noticeable porpashing and lack of performance issue, so the engine is actually a persistent argument.

The W13’s true form was revealed during the second pre-season test in Bahrain, with its ultra-thin ‘zero pod’ bodywork being the main technical focus, with excessive porpassing limiting the Mercedes F1’s performance. However, other weaknesses have emerged.

This included aerodynamic inefficiency, with more drag and a slower W13 on the straights, which probably helped draw attention away from the engine itself.

In a video released by Mercedes F1, Toto Wolff discussed the 2022 season with Ik Elliott (Mercedes F1 technical director) and Hywel Thomas (Mercedes HPP managing director).

Toto Wolff cites early weaknesses of the 2022 engine, including “powertrain implementation and handling aspects”.

In response, Hywel-Thomas noted two “big things” that engine manufacturers needed to prioritize. Due to the engine block, the specifications are fixed and the performance cannot be updated for four seasons. He cited a change in fuel regulations to 10% blended ethanol (from 5%).

“Last year and over the winter we undertook a very large development programme,” Hywel Thomas said of the project with the new F1 engine set to freeze.

“And trying to make sure I land was a really big effort. A really, really big effort.”

As for fuel, Hywel Thomas said he knew this would “hit” the Mercedes F1 as the new fuel changed the combustion within the V6 engine and reduced power output.

“I didn’t know where it was going to go,” says Hywel Thomas.

“When I hit the track, there were a few things that were a little disappointing and I think there were definitely some things that could be fixed.”

“We knew we couldn’t do that with the hardware we’ve developed over the years.”

“So we really had to go back and rethink how we could develop from that position.”

The Mercedes F1 engine overhaul for 2022 is often overlooked given the focus on chassis regulations.

Hywel-Thomas was forced to compromise by redesigning the car’s exhaust and cooling system in pursuit of improved aerodynamics, making the front of the engine “completely different,” as he said earlier this year . he said.

The overhaul was so extensive that Mercedes changed more powertrain parts than in any season since V6 turbo-hybrid regulations began in 2014.

When engine features in Bahrain resulted in a slightly underpowered result, the HPP team knew they had a role to play in helping Mercedes F1 recover from the recession. The MGU-K and battery could be serviced until September.

“Our role was to improve performance and improve driveability. We had to add that as we developed the car and that was our way out of this position,” said Hywel Thomas for 2022. He spoke about his initial mindset .

“We were all saying, ‘How should we behave in this new world?'”

“The excitement of the season was how we can change the way we develop this power unit, even with the hardware frozen, to get more performance out of it.”

Toto Wolff described what HPP has been able to achieve within these restrictions as a “really important cornerstone” of Mercedes F1’s work in 2022.

Mercedes F1 has long emphasized how the two parties have worked together on common projects, rather than sacrificing on each other at the expense of chassis or engine. In fact, the top four constructors’ classifications for 2022 are all factory teams.

“The link between the power unit and the chassis is becoming increasingly clear that they cannot be developed separately,” said Hywel Thomas.

“Especially if we want to extract performance from this non-hardware and power unit development, we need to match the power unit more beautifully to the chassis.”

“That’s what I would say, especially in the second half of the season where some of the gains are coming in, and that’s great going forward as well.”

That engine-side advantage may be masked by the fact that the Mercedes F1’s drag levels meant it was often weak on high-speed circuits.

There are many different factors that influence performance, but the most notable examples have come after the summer break, as the Spa-Francorchamps and Monza circuits have been clear outliers in the overall improving trend for Mercedes F1.

Toto Wolff said this was inevitable as “the engine could not pass through the invisible aerodynamic wall”.

“At first it seemed like a big setback, there was nothing you could do about it, but part of it is figuring out where the car works well and how there is an interplay between drag and powertrain performance. I think

“I think that was a good step for you too. ‘OK, this is where we believe it works. This is also where the drag cars pick up speed at the end of the straights. It’s a place where you can help. Maybe you dumbed down too much.’ “

In response, Hywel Thomas says HPP is determined to find “small gains at almost any event” without compromising credibility. This is what Mercedes F1 did well in 2022.

“That’s what we were seeing,” Hywel Thomas said.

“It’s lucky to see some of these numbers on the dynamo. When you try on the dynamo, you have a little bit more energy and you can say ‘OK, let’s take it to the track.’ There it is. It’s comforting to be able to look at it and see it in action.”

Hywel Thomas also added an overlooked aspect of the Mercedes F1 switch issue for 2022.

He compared it to what drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were going through when they suffered their worst rebound in the first third of the season.

“It became clear that the bottom of the engine was rocking hard,” Hywel-Thomas said.

“When you (Wolf) came to Brixworth last week you saw some of the parts that had been taken off the racing engine and it was quite amazing to see exactly how hard they hit the ground. I think

“I think you saw Lewis and George get out of the car and look a little uncomfortable, but the powerplant was pretty much the same.”

Category: F1 / mercedes