Analysis

Tech analysis: Have Mercedes' updates not delivered what it wanted?

Are Mercedes disappointed with the performance of their latest updates? Or was Hamilton simply trying to downplay their fortunes?

The Briton was not thrilled with the performance of the car on Tuesday, having driven the W08 with the latest developments mounted on it, suggesting that observers should keep a keen eye on Ferrari and that it should be considered the favourite going into the new season.

However, he later commented that damage to the floor and higher track temperatures were likely contributors to the lack of enthusiasm for his updated machinery as Mercedes rolled out a raft of updates to get the second test underway.

The team will continue to evaluate those updates today as Bottas pilots the W08 in the morning session, having run with the configuration used in the first test in yesterday afternoon's session.

Mercedes AMG F1 W08, sidepod inlet

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

We covered the team's new new bargeboards and floor arrangement yesterday but Mercedes has also revised the shape of its sidepods too.

The sidepod's inlet has been increased in height near the chassis, not only changing the quantity of air that can pass into the sidepod for cooling purposes but also revising the airflow's trajectory over the sidepod as it ooks for aerodynamic gains too.

Mercedes AMG F1 W08, front wing r cascade

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

More new parts could be found at the front of the car too, with a long slot added in the 'r' cascade to improve pressure distribution, whilst changing where the vortex it sheds is positioned on the front face of the tyre to improve the distribution of airflow around the tyre.

Mercedes F1 AMG W08, front brake duct fence

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The vertical front brake duct fence has also been revised, with the slotted section (red arrow) now extruded further from the tyres surface in order to change how the airflow interacts with both the fence and the tyre.

This has also led to a revision of the inlet too with the familiar horizontal mesh used last season added, preventing any debris being collected that might impinge on brake cooling or performance.