Mercedes are introducing a new gearbox in their 2024, which will also be featured on Aston Martin’s AMR24. This update could bring much-needed benefits to both teams in this year’s campaign.
At the beginning of last season, Aston Martin found itself to be the closest challenger to Red Bull. Fernando Alonso capitalised on this performance, securing six podiums from the first eight weekends.
I guess I’ve never seen a proper explanation for why the Merc was such a dog in a straight line besides “car bad.” Were they running out of gear on the straights, or would this be some aero based change of geometry for the housing?
All the article says is that the gearbox was to blame for their top speed deficit.
From early in the season:
“ The Mercedes specification is bulkier in the area closest to the floor, which limits airflow through the AMR23’s diffuser. This area is designed for a car with ultra-compact bodywork like the W14, as seen with the Mercedes ‘zeropods.’
Having a less efficient diffuser means the AMR23 needs more rear wing to compensate, which generates more drag.”
https://formu1a.uno/en/how-the-mercedes-gearbox-has-slowed-down-aston-martin/
Thanks a lot!
So very likely an aero change as they move away from the zero pod and on to whatever concept they’ve decided is better.
Well to speculate I see two different things it could be. One the gearbox was weak in top gear forcing them to cut power when it was top gear. Or it has something to do with torque vectoring. The article said that Aston had to run more rear wing. Maybe the gear box caused poor traction on the turns. Requiring more down force and increasing drag.