Analysis
Formula 1 Canadian GP
Tech analysis: The changes that helped Mercedes dominate
Mercedes' problems in Monaco may well have been an isolated incident, especially as they didn’t affect both cars in the same way, but that didn’t stop the team from making changes for Canada.
Matt Somerfield Giorgio Piola
Edited: Jun 16, 2017, 10:55 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content
The Silver Arrows' struggle to create the correct temperature in the tyres throughout qualifying saw Hamilton miss out on Q3 in the principality, with the Briton suggesting that tyre temperatures differed on all four corners of the car.
Pirelli’s ultrasoft tyre is in the low working range, meaning it works best when in the 85-110°C window and not being in this sweet spot is the difference between having a car that the driver can push and one with very little grip, as the compound doesn’t give the desired performance.
So close is the thermal relationship between the heat generated by the brakes, the wheel rim and the core temperature of the tyre that teams make a concerted effort to have different set-ups for each circuit.
For Canada, Mercedes arrived with numerous versions of its brake drum layout in order to get the best from the car as each version transmits heat from the brakes through the wheel rim to the tyre differently.
Mercedes AMG F1 W08, brake detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Ordinarily the team would run a fully enclosed drum, as pictured above. This retains the heat within the drum in such a way that the temperature being created is balanced across the entire width of the wheel rim and tyre.
This is what the team had selected for Monaco, looking to stabilise tyre temperatures at the low-speed circuit.
It also ran the set-up early on during free practice in Canada, checking it off from the list of choices.
Mercedes AMG F1 W08, brake detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
The team then trialled this open-ended drum configuration complete with a louvred panel above the brake disc in an effort to isolate the heat being generated and utilise it in a specific way as it was transferred to the wheel rim and tyre.
Mercedes F1 W08 brake duct at Canadian GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
The option that the team actually plumbed for is one we’ve seen used last season, with the louvred panel removed and the drum left open ended, allowing the heat generated under braking to be evacuated out of the wheel face.
Ferrari SF70H brake comparison
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Ferrari dabbled with different brake cooling and tyre warming options too, trialling a brake drum complete with teardrop-shaped outlets on Friday before opting for a more enclosed option for qualifying and the race.
You’ll note that both teams have converged on the maximum brake disc cooling solution too (inset), utilising a chevron drill pattern with which to dissipate the heat generated under braking.
The pattern is used to maintain structural integrity at the disc's edges (highlighted in yellow) as six holes of this size straight across the face may lead to the disc breaking up.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Force India threat is "circuit specific" - Red Bull
Next article Renault warns Palmer he "has to deliver" soon
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Somerfield
Gallery: How F1 tech evolved during the 2024 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
Gallery: How F1 tech evolved during the 2024 season
How McLaren’s rear wing push changed the game in F1
Formula 1
Formula 1
How McLaren’s rear wing push changed the game in F1
How 2026 F1 rules will help avoid identikit designs
Formula 1
Formula 1
How 2026 F1 rules will help avoid identikit designs
More from
Mercedes
Why Monza win from 19th still isn't the best of Kimi Antonelli's dominant F1 2026 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
17 h
Why Monza win from 19th still isn't the best of Kimi Antonelli's dominant F1 2026 season
George Russell confused by lack of pace at F1 US GP despite upgraded W17
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
George Russell confused by lack of pace at F1 US GP despite upgraded W17
Latest news
Manthey acknowledges IMSA to be "tougher than expected" despite two wins
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 9 h
Manthey acknowledges IMSA to be "tougher than expected" despite two wins
How a philosophy shift brought BMW to new heights in 2026
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 9 h
How a philosophy shift brought BMW to new heights in 2026
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
ARCA
ARCA ARCA 11 h
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe