Mercedes AMG F1 – How Do You Set Up a Formula One Car? with video

What do we mean when we refer to ‘car set-up’?

Finding the perfect set-up for a Formula One car is an almost impossible task. Cars consist of thousands of interacting components, a small number of which teams are permitted to tweak and change for each race. Yet when they do so, the effects are felt across the whole car.

‘Car set-up’ therefore refers to the optimum compromise of all the different elements of the car; harmony is the illusive aim for engineers.
 

Set-ups differ from track to track because each circuit has its own characteristics, presenting a unique challenge for tyres and aerodynamics. The singular driving style of each driver is also an important factor, which engineers must account for, and no driver set-up will be identical. If the right compromise is found, the driver will feel confident to extract the maximum performance from the car.
 

On the aerodynamic side, rear wing level and front wing angle can be adjusted, while front and rear ride heights can also be tuned to change the aerodynamic behaviour. Suspension settings such as camber, toe angles and stiffness can also be modified, as can the weight distribution – moved forward and backwards within the permitted FIA limits. Some settings, such as the differential and brake balance, can even be changed by the driver on their steering wheel while on track.
 

It’s rare for drivers to use identical car set-ups and typically this will only be the case if one driver has had limited track running or are struggling with the balance. Bigger parameters such as wing levels and ride heights will be very similar, but smaller details like aero and mechanical balance can differ quite widely depending on their styles.
 

VIDEO here 

What pre-race weekend preparations do we complete?

Hundreds of working hours are spent preparing the car set-up in advance of each race weekend, with the goal of delivering the car to track in optimum shape.

A large part of the pre-event work is running simulations, both on the Driver-in-Loop (DiL) simulator and computer simulation, to test and interrogate possible set-ups to determine their potential. With efficient simulation, the team can hit the ground running on Friday and focus on fine-tuning for qualifying and the race, looking at elements like track temperature, wind direction and tyre condition.
 

Thousands of laps are completed in the virtual world on our state-of-the-art simulator facility in Brackley, which uses sophisticated lidar-scanned, 3D track maps and detailed virtual models of the car. The simulator drivers try out various set-up options and continue the programme over the Friday of a race weekend, sometimes working through the night, to react to and maximise the learnings gained on track.
 

Ahead of a race weekend, engineers are also running offline computer simulations, using a racing line file generated from the DiL simulator. Engineers can complete thousands of virtual laps a day using this method because the laps can be run in parallel and at a sped-up pace, whereas the DiL must run in real time.
 

The computer simulations produce thousands of gigabytes of data and this information is generated into graphs and plots, which are useful for understanding the correct wing levels, ride heights and other parameters over a range of set-ups and conditions. This phenomenal computing power allows the engineers to compare set-up changes side by side, mastering how the car will respond to the smallest of tweaks.
 

Of course, these simulations can never be 100% accurate, and the quality of the simulation is dependent on the quality of data and how accurately the model represents the physics of the car and tyres. But in a world of limited track testing, these tools are crucial for providing the initial first step in the set-up process: deciding on a direction to enter the race weekend with.
 

And how does the set-up evolve through the weekend?

Once the engineers know what base set-up they will be running in Friday’s first practice session, it’s down to the mechanics and engineers to ensure each car hits the track with the correct settings and components. The sessions on Friday are crucial for finding the right set-up direction to use in qualifying and the race, so it’s all about maximising the track time and conditions.
 

Engineers can change as many parameters as they like on the car, but the more changes they make, the harder it is to understand the effects each change has on the car performance, especially during the live sessions. When changing the parameters, it tends to be tackling one problem with one solution. But there are occasions where multiple changes are required.
 

Between the sessions is when more substantial set-up changes are made to the cars, to suit the evolving track temperature and conditions. Between five and 10 parameter changes are typically made during the gap between sessions, depending on the progress being made with the car set-up.
 

In the week leading up to the race weekend, the race engineering group will discuss and decide the run plans for each session. Like pre-season testing, run plans feature a detailed schedule of how many laps need to be completed and what the objectives are for each run.
 

Some influence on the run plan will come from other departments, who will submit priority items such as new parts to try or specific data to be gathered. The race engineering group then prioritises these items and fits as many as possible into the run plan for each session. The DiL and computer simulations also indicate different areas that need to be included on the run plans.

 
Every lap in practice generates 60 to 100MB of data, depending on the number of sensors on the car, and these figures multiply by four in the post-processing phase. We receive live telemetry in just 10 milliseconds to the garage for the trackside engineers to monitor, and in just 30ms to the factories in Brackley and Brixworth at European rounds.
 

Once the runs are completed, the full data offload takes 20 seconds per lap to generate and be available to the garage and factories. All of this data is analysed both trackside and in the UK to understand the car’s strengths and weaknesses. Elements like tyre temperatures, wear and pressures are also monitored, to ensure we understand if the car is in the right performance window.
 

At the end of each day, the groups at the track and in the UK debrief, with engineers and the drivers sharing feedback and findings to refine the set-up direction or find a new route. The car set-up tends to differ slightly for qualifying and the race. In qualifying, your priority is to have a more responsive car so more front end is added, at the expense of rear tyre degradation. But in the race, more understeer is required to protect the rear tyres, which wear out the quickest.

What challenges does Bahrain present when setting up the car?

Bahrain is an extreme circuit that is hard on the tyres, particularly the rears, owing to the rough track surface, mix of corner types, long straights and heavy braking zones.
 

Car set-up in Bahrain is focused on low and medium-speed corners because the high-speed turns can be taken easily flat. Mechanical grip is also important, to propel the cars out of the slow corners. This is the opposite to tracks like Silverstone, where high-speed corner performance is the priority.
 

A specific challenge in Bahrain is the differing conditions in practice. FP1 and FP3 take place in the warm temperatures and sunshine of daytime, but FP2 is run in the cooler twilight temperatures also experienced during qualifying and the race. Temperature and track conditions have a huge impact on the tyres and car handling, so it makes car set-up particularly difficult.
 

Running in FP1 and FP3 therefore has limited value, so those daylight sessions are typically reserved for working on test items or tyre behaviour. The pressure is then on the FP2 run plan, because the twilight session is the only one to provide representative conditions for qualifying and the race. So, track time must be maximised in this session.
 

The sand is also a factor in Bahrain, although as we observed in pre-season testing, it doesn’t tend to cause much drama for the cars and drivers, nor does it impact lap time too much. The sand does however impact track evolution and cause a reset, so it is preferable not to be the first car out on track in a session.
 

– Bradley Lord, photo Mercedes

 
“The arrival of Aston Martin underlines all the potential in this team; it’s a very exciting moment for us all. We’re continuing t more >> Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Bahrain Grand Prix preview

23.03.2021 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir International Circuit26-28 March 2021The 2021 Formula One season gets underway at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend as Aston Martin returns to the World Championship grid for the first time since the 1960 British Grand Prix more >> Hackett London renews long-term partnership with Aston Martin and returns to Formula One

23.03.2021 •    Hackett London has renewed its long-term partnership with Aston Martin, celebrating a unique 20-year relationship •    Hackett London is announced as the exclusive Travelwear and Officewear Supplier for the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One

Team •    The British menswear brand wi more >> Williams Appoints François-Xavier Demaison as Technical Director

23.03.2021 Williams Racing is pleased to announce the appointment of François-Xavier Demaison as Technical Director. François-Xavier will take overall responsibility for the technical operation of the business including the D more >> Brembo explains innovations of Formula1 Championship 2021

22.03.2021 Reinforced technical assistance with the remote garage and maximum customizationn of the braking systems. Waiting for the new 2022 rulesBrembo reconfirms its commitment in the Formula 1 World Championship which will start with the Bahr more >> Nikita Mazepin looks ahead to his first F1 race in Bahrain

22.03.2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir International Circuit26-28 March 2021 Nikika Mazepin car #9    Describe your experience of working with the team now you’ve had the off-season to prepare and the pre-season test under your more >> Mick Schumacher quotes ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix

22.03.2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir International Circuit26-28 March 2021
 

Mick Schumacher car #47    Describe your experience of working with the team now you’ve had the off-season to pre more >> Guenther Steiner thoughts on season start in Bahrain

22.03.2021 GUENTHER STEINER, Team PrincipalA lot of focus has been placed on 2022 and therefore Uralkali Haas F1 Team has modest expectations for 2021. How important is it to keep everyone motivated throughout a long campaign knowing it is going to be a challenging year? more >> Uralkali Haas F1 Team is poised to compete the Bahrain Grand-Prix

22.03.2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir International Circuit26-28 March 2021Uralkali Haas F1 Team is poised to kick-start its 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship campaign with the Bahrain Grand Prix set to open the new season.    more >> Yuki Tsunoda thoughts on his first Formula1 start in Bahrain

22.03.2021 2021 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIXSakhir International Circuit, Manama26-28 March 2021Yuki Tsunoda:“Making my Formula 1 debut this weekend in Bahrain is going to be a big step up from Formula 2. During th more >> Pierre Gasly quotes ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix

22.03.2021 2021 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIXSakhir International Circuit, Manama26-28 March 2021Pierre Gasly:“I can’t wait to go racing! It’s the first time we start the season at the same track where we had three day more >> Bahrain F1 GP – Pirelli why we’ve chosen the tyres

22.03.2021 •    The three middle compounds from the 2021 tyre range have been chosen for this year’s season-opener in Bahrain on some of the most abrasive asphalt of the season: C2 as the P Zero White hard, C3 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C4 as the P Zero Red soft. more >> Sergio Perez quotes ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix

22.03.2021 Now the sand has settled after pre-season testing, how do you look back on the three days in Bahrain?

 
It was really positive. There was a very limited amount of testing, especially considering the amount of things we have to run through and check more >> Max Verstappen thoughts on Bahrain Grand- Prix

22.03.2021 How well do you understand the RB16B after pre-season testing?“I didn’t mind having only 1.5 days in the car and for me the important thing was the mileage and seeing that the set-up changes we made over the test were working. more >> Red Bull Racing Honda Bahrain fast facts and Pierre Wache quotes ahead of Bahrain GP

22.03.2021 •    Qualifying day in Bahrain marks ten years to the day since Sergio Perez made his Grand Prix debut at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix
 
VIDEO HERE
 
more >> Red Bull Racing F1 – factory days with Max and Checo powered by Honda – video

20.03.2021 Join Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez for a very normal day at the Red Bull Racing factory in Milton Keynes as we get ready for lights out in Formula One 2021… with a little help from Honda.  VIDEO HERE  more >> Alpine F1 Team confirms 2021 licence agreement with the Memento Group

18.03.2021 Alpine F1 Team has announced that it will continue its licensed partnership with The Memento Group under its new brand. The partnership, which involves the official Formula One memorabilia website F1 Authentics, will bring fans of the sport closer to the team through a selection of products. more >> Red Bull Racing Honda fuelled and ready for 2021 with ExxonMobil

18.03.2021 Red Bull Racing Honda will receive an added boost as it charges into the 2021 Formula One season thanks to a new fuel from Team partner ExxonMobil, developed specifically for 2021 and the updated Honda power unit.The Synergy Race Fuel was developed in more >> Hexis Group signs technical partnership extension with Alpine F1 Team

17.03.2021 HEXIS and Alpine F1 Team have signed a second technical collaboration for the supply of vinyl signs that will accompany the implementation of the Alpine F1 Team’s multi-site visual identity, both at the circuit and the French racing team’s headquarters. more >> Honda complete over 4000km in Bahrain, as F1 Testing comes to a close

14.03.2021 Pre-season testing ended with a Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri one-two as we enjoyed another productive two sessions in Bahrain.
 

 
Sergio was first in the car for Red Bull and added a further 49 laps to his total as he worked throug more >> Alpha Tauri Bahrain F1 final test day review

14.03.2021 2021 BAHRAIN FORMULA 1 PRE-SEASON TESTING – DAY 3Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir – Length 5.412 kmAT02 – 06 / Drivers: Pierre Gasly – Yuki Tsunoda Jody Egginton (Technical Director) comments about the three-day test: more >> Productive pre-season test for McLaren F1 in Bahrain

14.03.2021 Bahrain International Circuit, Sunday 14 March Key factsDrivers     Lando Norris, Daniel RicciardoLaps/km/miles      56 laps/214 km/133 miles, 76 laps/290 km/180 miles Best lap time     1m30.661s (11th), 1m30.144s (7th) more >> Scuderia Ferrari F1 Bahrain test day 3 review

14.03.2021 Bahrain Test – The curtain comes down on the Bahrain test: the SF21 completes 2,182 kmThe curtain comes down on the Bahrain test: the SF21 completes 2,182 km

Over the course of the three day pre-season test at Sakhir&rsqu more >> Williams Racing F1 Bahrain final test day review

14.03.2021 Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day Three Drivers: George RussellChassis / Engine: FW43B-01 / Mercedes-AMG F1 M12 E PerformanceLocation: Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain, 5.412 kmWeather: Hot and dry Dave Robson, H more >> Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Bahrain final test day review

14.03.2021  2021 Pre-Season Test, Day 3  The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team wraps up 2021 pre-season testing with140 laps on the final day at the Bahrain International Circuit  Date:    Sunday, 14 March 2021 Driver:    Va more >> Pirelli Bahrain F1 pre-season test review

14.03.2021 Pre-season testing was influenced by the local conditions. The first day was consistently windy with gusts that reached 47kph (25 knots), affecting the aerodynamics on the cars. As a result of the wind, there was plenty of sand on the track that compromised grip.
more >> Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team Bahrain final testing day review

14.03.2021 2021 Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing:Bahrain, Day ThreeLance Stroll [AM]Laps Completed: 80Distance Covered: 432 kilometresBest Time: 1:36.100Position: P18 Sebastian Vettel [PM]Laps Completed: 56 more >> Red Bull Racing Honda F1 final test day in Bahrain

14.03.2021 BAHRAIN PRE-SEASON TEST – DAY 3 Driver: Sergio Perez / Max VerstappenCar: RB16BLaps: Checo 49 / Max 64Best time: Checo 1:30.187 / Max 1:28.960Circuit length: 5.412 kmRed Bull Racing Honda’s pre-season test p more >> Uralkali Haas F1 Bahrain F1 final test day review

14.03.2021 Location / Layout: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir / 5.412-kilometer (3.363-mile), 15-turn trackDrivers: AM – Mick Schumacher (MSC), PM – Nikita Mazepin (MAZ)Laps: MSC – 78 laps, MAZ – 67 lapsDistance: MSC – 422.136 kilometers (262.314 miles), MAZ – 362.604 kilometers (225.321 miles)Best Lap Time: MSC &n more >> Alpine F1 Team with 139 laps on final Bahrain testing day

14.03.2021 2021 FORMULA 1 BAHRAIN PRE-SEASON TEST, DAY 3 Alpine F1 Team rounded off the pre-season test weekend in Bahrain with 139 laps completed on the third and final day split between Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso at the Bahrain International Circuit. more >> Bahrain pre-season test day 3 final session – Verstappen ahead of Tsunoda and Sainz

14.03.2021 F1 Aramco BAHRAIN Pre-season testing Sunday, March 14th 2021Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing ) ahead of rookie Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)in the final test session in Bahrain- Sergio Perez to more >> Bahrain pre-season test day 3 morning session – Perez ahead of Leclerc and Norris

14.03.2021 F1 Aramco BAHRAIN Pre-season testing Sunday, March 14th 2021Livetiming hereSergio Perez (Red Bull Racing) leads Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Lando No more >> Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 drivers complte 116 laps in Bahrain test day 2

13.03.2021 F1: Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 2 Valtteri and Lewis complete 116 laps in the Mercedes W12 as F1 testing continues in Bahrain  Date:    Saturday, 13 March 2021 Driver:    Lewis (AM), Valtteri (PM) more >> Honda F1 Bahrain test day 2 review

13.03.2021 F1 2021 Bahrain Pre-season Test – Day 2
 

  The second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain saw the Honda-powered teams continue their positive momentum, with Pierre second fastest while Sergio made his Red Bull Rac more >> The post Mercedes AMG F1 – How Do You Set Up a Formula One Car? with video first appeared on monter-une-startup.