A video recently published by Mercedes on Twitter suggests that the team’s future W11 that will be raced next season by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas is following a new aero concept. In these pictures, captured by @ScarbsTech, one notes the lower location on the W11 tub of the side impact protection spar (SIPS) mounting, hinting to a potential external aero change.
In these pictures, captured by @ScarbsTech, one notes the lower location on the W11 tub of the side impact protection spar (SIPS) mounting, hinting to a potential external aero change. Comparing with photos of the W10 (2019) and W09 (2018), the distance between this mounting and the edge of the cockpit is clearly greater on the W11 (see yellow arrows hereunder) than on its predecessors.
Clearing the “UNDERCUT”
Clearing the “UNDERCUT”
The SIPS housed within the sidepod requires an optimal positioning in order to ensure minimum disruption of the airflow to the radiators. This area, called the “undercut”, plays a crucial aerodynamic role. Simply put, the more air passing under the inlet through this larger space, the more the flow shall be energized and remain attached to the car.
