F1: How works the Mercedes DRS-Duct (+photos and illustration)The latest photos of the Mercedes AMG W03 taken in Sepang, Malaysia prove that Ross Brawn's F1 machine is fitted with a device designed to stall the front wings when the DRS is activated by the driver.
This clever device uses two openings of the DRS flap on the rear wing to open a duct that sends high pressure air to the front wings.
When the Drag Reduction System flap closed on the rear wing, the front and rear wings operate as usual, with no blown effects being used. Both wings create the usual levels of downforce. But when the driver activates the DRS, the flap uncovers a pair of openings on the rear wing lateral endplates. A passageway moulded inside the unusually thick endplates, creates a duct that feeds the system.
Pressurised air is then channelled to the front end of the car into flexible tubes. These tubes emerge at the front bulkhead. Air passes through the nose cone downwards and exit underneath the flaps. When DRS is open, the flow of air blows through small slots and stall the front wing to increase top speed. |
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