Analysis
Formula 1 Hungarian GP
The old and new F1 ideas that Mercedes has brought to the Hungarian GP
Mercedes continues its quest to join Red Bull and Ferrari in the fight at the front of Formula 1, as it revealed further design tweaks at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Matt Somerfield Giorgio Piola
Edited: Aug 1, 2022, 11:47 PM
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 high downforce nature of the Hungaroring means that the team not only has new parts on the car, but also some older ones which help suit the team’s needs too.
This starts at the front of the car, as the team utilises a more highly loaded front wing, having previously trimmed the upper elements when necessary to help reduce downforce and drag.
This helps balance the car better, as the team has returned to the higher downforce configuration rear wing, albeit with some modifications for this race in order to get the best from it (circled, second image, below).
Given the constraints posed by the budget cap, the team has decided not to manufacture an entirely new assembly but perform some surgery on this portion of the wing instead, as can be seen by the shut lines and rivets used to stitch the two sections, new and old, together.
Changes have also been made to the beam wing setup, with the camber of elements increased as a means of providing additional downforce and the necessary balance for the other alterations that have been made.
2
Mercedes has also turned to another old favourite in Hungary, as a pair of boomerang winglets now sit astride the W13’s halo.
The winglets, which have been a staple for many teams since the halo arrived in 2018, help to control the airflow over the safety device, ensuring the flow remains attached, whilst conditioning and improving said flow to the rear of the car.
Mercedes used a similar arrangement throughout the course of last year’s campaign but had opted not to install the winglets during the first half of this year, perhaps unable to see their performance benefit with its original aerodynamic layout.
Mercedes W13 Halo boomerang winglets (W12 inset)
Photo by: Mercedes AMG
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 Hungarian GP practice as it happened
Next article Hungarian GP: Leclerc leads second F1 practice from Norris
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
Latest news
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
38 min
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Mirko Bortolotti risked another disqualification: How Grasser saved second place
DTM
DTM DTM 2 h
Mirko Bortolotti risked another disqualification: How Grasser saved second place
FIA enforces new rule to close F1 cost cap loophole
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
FIA enforces new rule to close F1 cost cap loophole
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