Mercedes F1 W03

The Mercedes F1 W03[5] is a Formula One racing car designed by Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team[2] for use in the 2012 Formula One season. The car was driven by seven time World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. The car was launched on 21 February, ahead of the second test of the winter testing season.[6] The team used the F1 W03's predecessor, the Mercedes MGP W02, at the first test in Jerez de la Frontera — running for three of the four days — in order to evaluate the 2012 specification of Pirelli tyres.[6] The W03 completed a shakedown at Silverstone on 16 February[7] and carried out a private test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on 19 February;[8] under the sporting regulations, the team was entitled to hold a private test as they had only attended three of the four test days at Jerez.[9]

Mercedes F1 W03
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMercedes
Designer(s)Bob Bell (Technical Director)
Craig Wilson (Head of Engineering)
John Owen (Chief Designer)
Loïc Bigois (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorMercedes MGP W02
SuccessorMercedes F1 W04
Technical specifications
ChassisMoulded carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers
Suspension (rear)Wishbone and pullrod
EngineMercedes-Benz FO 108Z 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS mid-mounted
TransmissionJointly Xtrac 1044 with Mercedes AMG housing seven-speed semi-automatic carbon-fibre sequential gearbox with reverse gear hydraulic activation hand-operated, seamless shift
Weight640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver)
FuelPetronas
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[1]
BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13"
Competition history
Notable entrantsMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team[2]
Notable drivers7. Michael Schumacher[3]
8. Nico Rosberg[4]
Debut2012 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
201313

At the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg took Mercedes's first pole position and win since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.

Design
The controversial rear wing of the F1 W03

The F1 W03 was introduced at the first race of the season in Melbourne with what was described as a "radical wing concept".[10] Speculation suggested that the wing used the F-duct concept (developed by McLaren in 2010) by blowing air across the surface of the wing to "stall" it, thereby cancelling out all downforce and drag running over the wing and allowing the car to achieve a higher top speed.[11] The system developed by Mercedes was reported to create an F-duct effect over the front wing when the Drag Reduction System (DRS) flap in the rear wing opened. Opening the flap would expose two vents, which channeled air back through the car and over the front wing, cancelling out the downforce generated by the front wing with the intention of increasing stability in high-speed corners.

Controversy

On the Thursday before the Australian Grand Prix, the FIA's technical delegate Charlie Whiting declared the system to be legal.[10] However, shortly before the final practice session on Saturday afternoon, representatives from Red Bull Racing and Lotus F1 approached the race stewards and requested that the FIA review the original verdict, claiming that the front wing system was in violation of Articles 3.15 and 3.18, which govern the use of DRS and driver-operated aerodynamic devices.[12] On the Thursday before the Malaysian Grand Prix, the FIA rejected all claims that the system was illegal, allowing Mercedes to compete with an unaltered car.[13] Three weeks later in China, Lotus F1 filed a formal protest against the system, citing Article 3.15 of the technical regulations — which states that "any device that influences the car's aerodynamics must remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car"[14] — as the basis for their challenge.[15] The stewards later unanimously rejected the protest.[16] They stated that "the sole purpose of the DRS as stated in article 3.18.3, is to improve overtaking. The Mercedes design is completely consistent with this objective"[17] and further clarified that "the protest is dismissed on the grounds that the FIA confirmed the assertion of the Mercedes team that it had, in accordance with Article 2.4 and/or 2.5 of the F1 Technical Regulations, sought clarification from the FIA Formula One Technical Department concerning this matter and the FIA confirmed that the Mercedes design had been deemed permissible", before the start of the season. Lotus later confirmed that they would not appeal against the decision.[18]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Points WCC
2012 Mercedes AMG Petronas Mercedes FO 108Z P AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN EUR GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN KOR IND ABU USA BRA 142 5th
Michael Schumacher Ret 10 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret 3 7 7 Ret 7 6 Ret 11 13 22† 11 16 7
Nico Rosberg 12 13 1 5 7 2 6 6 15 10 10 11 7 5 Ret Ret 11 Ret 13 15

† Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

References
  1. Noble, Jonathan (25 January 2012). "Pirelli tweaks tyre markings for 2012 F1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  2. "SILVER ARROWS WORKS TEAM TO RACE AS MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM". Mercedes GP. Mercedes GP. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  3. "Schumacher could stay in F1 after 2012". Espnf1.com. ESPN. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
  4. "Rosberg extends Mercedes contract". EspnF1.con. ESPN. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  5. "Mercedes delay track debut of 2012 F1 car". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  6. Freeman, Glenn (27 January 2012). "Mercedes GP adamant test delay will help team with new F1 car". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  7. Collantine, Keith (16 February 2012). "Mercedes W03 spotted testing at Silverstone". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  8. "@MercedesAMGF1: 19 February". Twitter. Twitter Inc. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  9. Cooper, Adam (19 February 2012). "Mercedes conducts full test at Barcelona with W03". Adam Cooper's F1 Blog. Wordpress. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  10. Scarborough, Craig (14 March 2012). "Mercedes: F-Duct Front Wing operated by the Rear Wing DRS". Scarbsf1 - everything technical in F1. Craig Scarborough. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  11. Noble, Jonathan (17 March 2012). "FIA asked to re-think its view on the Mercedes DRS-activated F-duct". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  12. Noble, Jonathan (22 March 2012). "FIA rejects claims that Mercedes's rear wing is illegal". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  13. Benson, Andrew (21 January 2012). "FIA ban new technical innovation developed by Lotus and Ferrari". BBC F1. BBC. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  14. "Lotus files protest against Mercedes's rear wing". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  15. Elizalde, Pablo (12 April 2012). "Lotus protest against Mercedes wing rejected by FIA". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  16. Benson, Andrew "Lotus's protest against Mercedes controversial DRS system rejected" BBC News. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-16
  17. Noble, Jonathan "Lotus will not appeal stewards' decision on Mercedes rear wing" Autosport. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-16
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