Mercedes were the most improved team throughout 2013 as they made infrastructure changes in order to meet the challenges faced by the 2014 regulations. One of their development areas that levied a performance gain was the front wing, therefore it's no surprise to see the WO5 feature a similar design. However with the team taking into account the overall width reduction of 150mm (75mm either side) we see that the wing does bear several differences to it's predecessor. All of these changes are keyed at moving airflow outbound of the front tyre, making up for the loss of surface area.
+blog.jpg)
Adorning the secondary section of the Endplate (Mercedes split their Endplate into sections) the team have added a horizontal blade [1]. The wing shaped appendage creates a pressure gradient as the airflow passes over it enhancing the airflow structure created by the footplate below and Endplates it's attached to, all of which help to outwardly turn the airflow.
Added to the main cascade we find a new cascade element [2] which again is aggressively angled in order to turn the airflow outbound. The inner edge of this cascade resides in the same position that was occupied by an 'r' cascade in 2013 who's job it was to enhance the Y250 Vortex. With this gone the shaping of the rearward flaps has been adjusted to mimic it's effect.
The main cascade now features a vertical strake [3] which it's job is again to turn the airflow outbound (note also how the thickness of this element changes at it's base to the upper tip, as this will undoubtedly roll up the airflow into a vortice)