Mercedes will abandon its unique front wing design in Formula 1, opting for a new concept at the Canadian Grand Prix. The original design featured a top element that was unloaded inboard, with only a small strip of carbon fiber connecting it to the nose. However, the team raced a modified design with a more conventional top flap in Monaco, and both drivers will now use this new design in Montreal. The old specification was used during Friday practice to conserve parts. Mercedes Technical Director James Allison confirmed that the original design is now a thing of the past.
According to Allison, the new front wing design is a step in the right direction and provides more downforce. He explained that the previous design had a slight advantage in terms of downforce, but the new wing is an improvement. Mercedes also made some other adjustments for the Canadian Grand Prix, including bigger brake ducts and realigned front suspension arm sheathing to improve airflow. However, Allison stated that these changes were not significant.
The main focus for Mercedes with the W15 was to address rear-end instability in faster corners. While increasing aero load at the rear can help with this, it can also create balance issues in other conditions. Allison explained that the front wings on these cars like to be near the ground, which can make the car more nervous at higher speeds. The team aimed to find a balance between downforce and stability.
Last year, the front wing concept used by Mercedes provided a more energized airflow to the floor, adding load to the rear. However, the team lacked front-end load in slow corners. To address this, Mercedes switched to a more conventional top flap design to increase load. The bottom edge of the wing also became more uniform to prevent excessive load while the car is close to the ground.
Allison mentioned that controlled flexibility could help manage the car’s behavior. While flexible bodywork is banned, there may be some breakthrough in understanding this aspect. Mercedes sees these changes as part of normal development rather than a significant revolution. The team hopes that the new package will prove successful at the upcoming races and demonstrate that they are on the right track.