Formula 1 - 2013 - Page 12

On March 04 2013 22:16 Sok4R wrote:
It was reported that both Mercedes drivers used their DRS everywhere they could, while Alonso only used it on the start/finish-straight. Since this is not allowed during races and qualifiying, you can add up to 4/10 to the time of Hamilton and Rosberg.

On March 05 2013 01:42 Aristodemus wrote:
McLaren-Honda

On March 04 2013 23:26 Aristodemus wrote:

I find that very hard to believe.

While Rosberg used his DRS at every approriate place of the track, observers saw rear wing activity on Alonsos car only on the start/finish straight[...]

On March 05 2013 02:04 grindC wrote:


Wut? Is it officially happening?

On March 05 2013 10:58 GTR wrote:
Why doesn't McLaren just make its own engines? I mean, if they can make the engine for the MP4-12C, I don't see any reason that they can't develop their own independently.

On March 06 2013 07:10 Salazarz wrote:


McLaren didn't build the engine for MP4-12C themselves, it was developed in partnership with a British engineering company (forgot the name, sorry), and afaik the external guys did most of the work there. Companies like Honda or Mercedes have tons of experience and talent to draw from, and are always interested in investing money into motor sports development as many of the technologies used in today's racing cars are going to be utilized in future road cars. This kind of partnership really benefits both sides.

Mercedes

After some installation laps from several cars, Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes and the McLaren of Sergio Perez start a run. We're expecting some qualifying simulations, so we should see the 2013 cars at their current best.

Marc is immediately impressed by the Mercedes F1 W04. "The Mercedes looks a bit better through here than the McLaren, a bit more planted, with a slightly better change of direction," he says.

"It's probably worth noting that Perez is using the kerb a lot more than Lewis, who looks a bit more controlled.


Mercedes is looking good, according to Priestley © LAT
"The Mercedes also looks a bit softer in terms of roll; it squats down on the right rear. If the car's a little bit oversteery, giving it a little more roll can help. But it's a trade-off because you don't want so much it throws the weight around."

Hamilton is then too hot into Turn 1 and runs wide. Later, he also has a moment at the Turn 7 left-hander, briefly losing the rear end.

Next time through he's still on it and again looks impressive. "It's got really good change of direction," adds Priestley.

"I think there's a bit of a feeling Mercedes is playing things down massively. From what I've seen they're coming on quite nicely."