Bite-size tech: Under the skin of the Mercedes W07

Powered by the Mercedes 106c, the engineers have perhaps one of the closest relationships when it comes to leveraging maximum performance from the power unit and chassis.

The first thing to note is the orientation of the radiators, housed within the sidepod. For 2016 they have ever so slightly inclined the radiators horizontally (highlighted in blue), as they look to both improve cooling and enable a tighter wrapping of the outer bodywork, for increased aerodynamic performance.

Mounted behind that we can see the heat wrapping which protects the exhaust (highlighted in red).
Having changed the log style manifold used in 2014 last season, this year's exhaust is largely unchanged, however, as it only costs one token to change it, it may yet be updated further during the season.

Mercedes has spent but 19 of its tokens before the season commenced, leaving them 13 to deploy throughout the season.

Mercedes was already ahead of the game in 2015, as early adopters of variable inlet trumpets, which were opened up in the regulations having been excluded in 2014.

Although on the face of it, the technology is quite old, it does have an impact in this hybrid era, which puts huge demand on how the petrochemical energy is produced, especially given the restriction on fuel flow.

The plenum, highlighted in green, has been enlarged for 2016 with a slightly different shape employed, likely in a response to changes to the variable inlet trumpets within.

Mercedes W07 airbox

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Mercedes mounts one of its oil coolers at the rear of the power unit, highlighted in yellow, which is supplied with air by the two outer inlets housed within this seasons larger airbox.

The rear wing of the Toro Rosso STR10 support pylon on the STR10 intersects with the exhaust

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Aside from the power unit you'll note that Mercedes has also retained their Y-Lon which surrounds the exhaust and supports the rear wing. Meanwhile, many of the other teams have followed Toro Rosso's suit and use a pylon that intersects the exhaust, which can bring its own aerodynamic benefits.

Additional reporting by Matt Somerfield