 Michael Schumacher driving the F1 W03 at the2012 Malaysian Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Mercedes | ||||||||||
| Designers | Bob Bell(Technical Director) Craig Wilson [ja](Head of Engineering) John Owen(Chief Designer) Loïc Serra(Chief Vehicle Dynamicist) Russell Cooley(Chief Engineer) Loïc Bigois(Head of Aerodynamics) David Jeffrey(Chief Aerodynamicist) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Mercedes MGP W02 | ||||||||||
| Successor | Mercedes F1 W04 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Moulded carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Wishbone and pullrod | ||||||||||
| Engine | Mercedes-BenzFO 108Z 2.4 L (146 cu in)V8 (90°).Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited withKERSmid-mounted | ||||||||||
| Transmission | JointlyXtrac 1044 withMercedes AMG housing seven-speed semi-automatic carbon-fibre sequential gearbox with reverse gear hydraulic activation hand-operated, seamless shift | ||||||||||
| Weight | 640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Petronas Primax | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Petronas Syntium | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[1] BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13" | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team[2] | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 7. Michael Schumacher[3]8. Nico Rosberg[4] | ||||||||||
| Debut | 2012 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| First win | 2012 Chinese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last win | 2012 Chinese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
TheMercedes F1 W03[5] is aFormula Oneracing car designed byMercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team[2] for use in the2012 Formula One season. The car was driven by seven timeWorld Drivers' ChampionMichael Schumacher, in his final year of his F1 career andNico Rosberg. The car was launched on 21 February, ahead of the second test of the winter testing season.[6] The team used the F1 W03's predecessor, theMercedes MGP W02, at the first test inJerez de la Frontera — running for three of the four days — in order to evaluate the 2012 specification of Pirelli tyres.[6] The W03 completed a shakedown atSilverstone on 16 February[7] and carried out a private test at theCircuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on 19 February;[8] under the sporting regulations, the team was entitled to hold a private test as they had only attended three of the four test days at Jerez.[9]
At the2012 Chinese Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg took Mercedes's first pole position and win since the1955 Italian Grand Prix.[10] Until2024, this was the last time the team finished behind one of their customer teams in the Constructors' Championship.
The F1 W03 was introduced at the first race of the season inMelbourne with what was described as a "radical wing concept".[11] Speculation suggested that the wing used theF-duct concept (developed byMcLaren in2010) by blowing air across the surface of the wing to "stall" it, thereby cancelling out all downforce and drag running over the wing and allowing the car to achieve a higher top speed.[12] The system developed by Mercedes was reported to create an F-duct effect over the front wing when the Drag Reduction System (DRS) flap in the rear wing opened. Opening the flap would expose two vents, which channeled air back through the car and over the front wing, cancelling out the downforce generated by the front wing with the intention of increasing stability in high-speed corners.
On the Thursday before the Australian Grand Prix, the FIA's technical delegateCharlie Whiting declared the system to be legal.[11] However, shortly before the final practice session on Saturday afternoon, representatives fromRed Bull Racing andLotus F1 approached the race stewards and requested that the FIA review the original verdict, claiming that the front wing system was in violation of Articles 3.15 and 3.18, which govern the use of DRS and driver-operated aerodynamic devices.[13] On the Thursday before theMalaysian Grand Prix, the FIA rejected all claims that the system was illegal, allowing Mercedes to compete with an unaltered car.[14] Three weeks later inChina, Lotus F1 filed a formal protest against the system, citing Article 3.15 of the technical regulations — which states that "any device that influences the car's aerodynamics must remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car"[15] — as the basis for their challenge.[16] The stewards later unanimously rejected the protest.[17] They stated that "the sole purpose of the DRS as stated in article 3.18.3, is to improve overtaking. The Mercedes design is completely consistent with this objective"[18] and further clarified that "the protest is dismissed on the grounds that the FIA confirmed the assertion of the Mercedes team that it had, in accordance with Article 2.4 and/or 2.5 of the F1 Technical Regulations, sought clarification from the FIA Formula One Technical Department concerning this matter and the FIA confirmed that the Mercedes design had been deemed permissible", before the start of the season. Lotus later confirmed that they would not appeal against the decision.[19]
The F1 W03 propelled Mercedes to finish fifth in the World Constructors' Championship with 142 points, 23 points adrift from its predecessor. Regardless, it secured three podium finishes and a single victory. Schumacher achieved his last podium finish of his career at theEuropean Grand Prix.
At theBrazilian Grand Prix, both W03s carried a Schumacher's farewell logo, marking his retirement from the sport.
At the 2014Goodwood Festival of Speed,Lewis Hamilton demonstrated the W03 inW05 livery.
(key) (results inbold indicate pole position; results initalics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Points | WCC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Mercedes AMG Petronas | Mercedes FO 108Z | P | AUS | MAL | CHN | BHR | ESP | MON | CAN | EUR | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | SIN | JPN | KOR | IND | ABU | USA | BRA | 142 | 5th | ||
| Michael Schumacher | Ret | 10 | Ret | 10 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 3 | 7 | 7 | Ret | 7 | 6 | Ret | 11 | 13 | 22† | 11 | 16 | 7 | |||||||
| Nico Rosberg | 12 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 5 | Ret | Ret | 11 | Ret | 13 | 15 | |||||||
| Sources:[20] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
† Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.
