The 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance

The 2021 Formula One Championship is just around the corner. The world’s most popular and most technical race starts in Bahrain, on March 26, 2021. At the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021, we’re going to watch all the cars but before that, I am going to preview all the F1 cars of the 2021 season. Let’s get started with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s car.

 

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance is the new name of the new car. The W12 has several changes in aerodynamics, suspension, cooling system, and Power Unit. The first test of the car will be on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, March 12, 2021, Friday. The development of the new Formula One car of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is made in 18 months but probably the fine tunning of the are still in process and the settings will be adjusted many times during the season of the F1.

 

The monocoque of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance is made of molded carbon fiber and honeycomb composite structure. The bodywork, engine cover, sidepods, floor, nose, front wing and rear wing are made by carbon fiber composite. About the cockpit, we know that the removable driver’s seat is made of anatomically formed carbon composite; a safety feature includes OMP six-point driver safety harness and as well a HANS system.

 

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance - sealing up the slots in the floor around the bargeboards.

Safety is one of the most important measures in Formula One so the safety features of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance includes: Cockpit survival cell incorporating impact-resistant construction and penetration panels, front impact structure, prescribed side impact structures, integrated rear impact structure; front and rear roll structures; titanium driver protection structure (halo).

 

The front suspension of the W12 car of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has carbon fiber wishbones and pushrod-activated inboard springs and dampers. The rear suspension includes carbon fiber wishbones and pullrod-activated inboard springs and dampers.

 

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance - triangular cut-out to the edge in front of the rear wheels.

The wheels of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance are OZ forged magnesium and the tyres – Pirelli. The tyres with the wheels make a strong connection to the track. During the high speed, the car has to stop so the brake system includes Carbone Industries Carbon / Carbon Discs and pads with rear brake-by-wire. The brake calipers are Brembo.

 

The steering wheel construction is made of carbon fiber and the steering is a power-assisted rack with pinion.

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance electronics are by the FIA standard ECU and FIA homologated electronics and electrical systems. The instrumentation of the W12 car is McLaren Electronic System (MES).

 

Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance - span reduced on the rear brake duct winglets

The fuel system is ATL Kevlar-reinforced rubber bladder and the lubricants and Fluids are PETRONAS Tutela.

 

The internal combustion engine of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance is 1.6L, 6-cylinder power unit. The bank angle is on 90-degree. The engine has 24 valves and the max rpm is 15,000. There is a term called Max Fuel Flow Rate which is 100 kg/hour above 10,500 rpm. The W12 has one injector per cylinder and uses high-pressure direct injection with a max pressure of 500 bar (7252 psi). The Pressure Charging system uses a single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine on a common shaft. The max rpm exhaust turbine is 125,000 rpm.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance - Reducing the height of the two inboard strakes

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance has an 8-speed gearbox with one reverse unit with a maincase made of carbon fiber. The gear selection is sequential, semi-automatic, and hydraulic activation. The clutch is also made of a carbon plate.

 

 

The Energy Recovery System (ERS) includes Integrated Hybrid energy recovery via electrical Motor Generator Units. It uses a Lithium-Ion battery which minimum regulation weight is 20 kg. The max energy storage per lap is 4 MJ; the max rpm MGU-K is 50,000 rpm; the max power MGU-K is 120 kW (161 hp); the max energy deployment/lep MGU-K is 4 MJ (33.3 s at full power); the max rpm MGU-H is 125,000 rpm and its power is unlimited; both the max energy recovery/lap MGU-H and the max energy deployment/lap MGU-H are unlimited.

 

 

There is a question what are the MGU-K and the MGU-H? The MGU-K is a Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic and the MGU – H is Motor Generator Unit – Heat. Somewhere you can find and short forms for Turbocharger – TC; Energy Store – ES, Control Electronics – CE, and also the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).

 

The minimum weight of the car by the requirement is 145 kg. The Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance dimensions are:

 

Overall Length: Over 5000mm

Overall Width: 2000mm

Overall Height: 950mm

Overall Weight: 752kg

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance - side view.

 

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance - Lewis Hamilton's car LH44