Mercedes Test F-Duct Front Wing For 2012

Although Mercedes took part in the first test at Jerez this week using their old 2011 car, it didn’t stop them trying out new devices and setting fast laps in their three days on track. This new device they were trying out was an innovative F-Duct on the front wing, reminiscent of McLaren’s device from 2010.

With Mercedes yet to unveil their 2012 challenger, their drivers are completing extra mileage in their 2011 car this week with the aim to give their designers more design time in the hope it’ll assist them in designing a highly competitive car.

For the last two seasons, Mercedes have been scoring consistent points finishes, yet have struggled in achieving consistent podium finishes and have failed to win a race. With other teams releasing their cars prior to the start of pre-season testing at Jerez, Mercedes opted for a different route. 

Mercedes have had a successful few days at Jerez, with Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg both topping the timing sheets on the second and third days of testing, albeit driving their 2011 car against others in their new cars (apart from HRT). 

However it has emerged that Mercedes have been testing a new and potentially innovative device in their nose, which has turned out to be an F-Duct style system. Unlike McLaren’s system which sat on the front wing of their car, this device is only a tiny slot at the tip of the Mercedes nose which, according to a report in Auto Motor und Sport, takes the air that enters the device, and channels it down onto the front wing.

With the device estimated at providing around a 5 to 8kph benefit, could this be the device excels Mercedes to the heights of McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari?