# Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid
The Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid was the [Formula One](https://www.edgepedia.org/formula-one) racing car with which the Mercedes AMG Petronas team competed in the 2016 season, driven by [Lewis Hamilton](https://www.edgepedia.org/lewis-hamilton) and [Nico Rosberg](https://www.edgepedia.org/nico-rosberg) and powered by the Mercedes-Benz PU106C Hybrid power unit.[1](https://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016_technical_release.pdf) It won 19 of the season's 21 grands prix, took both championships, and set then-records for wins, podiums, and pole positions.[2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power unit | Mercedes-Benz PU106C Hybrid: 1.6-liter 90-degree V6 turbo with MGU-K and MGU-H recovery, minimum weight 145 kg[1](https://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016_technical_release.pdf) |
| 2016 record | 19 wins from 21 races (90.48% win rate), 20 poles (95.2%), 33 podiums, 8 one-twos, 765 constructors' points[2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf) • [3](https://en.mclarenf-1.com/chassis/models/1035/mercedes-f1-w07-hybrid) |
| Drivers' title | Nico Rosberg, 385 points and 9 wins, beating Hamilton's 380 points and 10 wins[4](https://www.statsf1.com/en/mercedes-f1-w07.aspx) |
| Thermal efficiency | More than 47%, against 29% for the naturally aspirated V8 engines of the previous era[5](https://www.pitpass.com/55503/Mercedes-W07-revealed) |
| Peak power | Disputed: more than 900 hp per Autosport's season analysis; 761 bhp (568 kW) combined per Ultimatecarpage's specification listing[6](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/) • [7](https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/6492/Mercedes-Benz-W07-Hybrid.html) |
| Structural change over W06 | Driver protection area raised 20 mm; side impact test load increased from 15 kN to 50 kN[8](https://web.archive.org/web/20160311154451/http:/www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/car/f1-w07-hybrid/) |
| Successor | Mercedes W08 EQ Power+, built for the 2017 wide-body regulations[7](https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/6492/Mercedes-Benz-W07-Hybrid.html) |
## Background and development
Where the 2015 W06 had been a subtle evolution of the all-conquering 2014 car, the W07 introduced more adventurous design ideas, notably in the rollhoop, cockpit fins and sidepod shape.[9](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/technical-analysis-mercedes-w07-5105195/5105195/) Its power unit, the PU106C, derived from the major upgrade introduced at Monza in 2015 and received a winter upgrade, combined with a new fuel developed by Petronas; mechanical systems such as the suspension were also revised.[9](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/technical-analysis-mercedes-w07-5105195/5105195/) • [10](https://f1i.com/magazine/42376-a-closer-look-at-the-mercedes-w07.html)
The biggest structural change was on the chassis side: the team raised the protection area around the driver by 20 mm and increased the side impact test load from 15 kN to 50 kN.[8](https://web.archive.org/web/20160311154451/http:/www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/car/f1-w07-hybrid/) The car was shaken down at Silverstone before its official debut at Barcelona pre-season testing, where Hamilton and Rosberg shared the four-day test.[11](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/mercedes-reveal-the-f1-w07-hybrid-.3HVROhF1FiKdHxZmRt8z41)
## Technical specification
The regulations governing the power unit set the framework the PU106C worked within. The internal combustion engine was a 1.6-liter, 90-degree V6 with 24 valves, limited to 15,000 rpm, with fuel flow capped at 100 kg/hour above 10,500 rpm and high-pressure direct injection of up to 500 bar with one injector per cylinder.[1](https://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016_technical_release.pdf) The MGU-K, the motor-generator on the crankshaft, was limited to 120 kW (161 hp) and could recover 2 MJ and deploy 4 MJ per lap, equivalent to 33.3 seconds at full power. The MGU-H, mounted on the turbocharger shaft, could spin at up to 125,000 rpm with unlimited power and unlimited per-lap energy recovery and deployment.[1](https://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016_technical_release.pdf) Energy was stored in a 20 kg lithium-ion battery, and each driver had an allocation of four power units per season, rising to five if the calendar exceeded 20 races.[1](https://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016_technical_release.pdf)
**Efficiency as the design goal.** Engine chief Andy Cowell, Mercedes-Benz High Performance Powertrains' managing director, framed the program around efficiency: "The core aim is simple. The purpose, as Cowell explains it, is to convert a greater share of the fuel's energy into useful work — in other words, to raise the engine's thermal efficiency."[2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf) He explained that extracting performance required chasing both combustion efficiency and efficiency in the energy transition steps of the MGU-H, MGU-K and related systems.[11](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/mercedes-reveal-the-f1-w07-hybrid-.3HVROhF1FiKdHxZmRt8z41) The 100 kg/h fuel-flow limit sets a maximum chemical power level of about 1,200 kW, so thermal efficiency determines how much of that chemical energy is converted into useful work.[12](https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/mercedes-hpp-sharper-power/) Mercedes HPP stated the PU106C ran at more than 47% thermal efficiency while producing historic highs of power; the naturally aspirated V8 engines had peaked at 29%, and the last comparable power output in Formula One came in 2005 from a V10 consuming 194 kg/hr of fuel.[5](https://www.pitpass.com/55503/Mercedes-W07-revealed)
The chassis was a molded carbon fiber and honeycomb composite monocoque with pushrod front and pullrod rear suspension using torsion springs and rockers, an eight-speed semi-automatic gearbox with a carbon fiber maincase, and carbon/carbon brakes with Brembo calipers and rear brake-by-wire.[1](https://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016_technical_release.pdf) • [8](https://web.archive.org/web/20160311154451/http:/www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/car/f1-w07-hybrid/)
## Aerodynamics and design innovations
**The S-duct nose.** The W07's nose, nicknamed "Bruce" by the team, hid an S-duct: an inlet far forward under the nose channeled air upward to an outlet atop the vanity panel, a layout echoing Ferrari's 2008 approach. The nose also incorporated new turning vanes.[10](https://f1i.com/magazine/42376-a-closer-look-at-the-mercedes-w07.html) • [9](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/technical-analysis-mercedes-w07-5105195/5105195/) The turning vanes had six slots in the footplate to work the airflow more aggressively.[13](https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tech-analysis-the-bold-secrets-of-the-mercedes-w07-676514/676514/)
**Sidepods and cooling.** Mercedes took a large notch out of the upper outer sidepod to expose the side impact spar, raising the leading-edge slat compared with the W06, and moved some coolers inboard; this was part of the reason the team could shrink the sidepods.[13](https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tech-analysis-the-bold-secrets-of-the-mercedes-w07-676514/676514/) The airbox used a larger oval inlet split into three segments: the central segment fed combustion air to the V6, while the two outer segments fed a heat exchanger above the bell housing that cooled both the MGU-H and the MGU-K.[2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf)
**Other devices.** The car retained the Bat-Wing first used on the W05 to improve flow to the chassis underside, splitter, bargeboards, and sidepod undercut, used a Y150 winglet (monkey seat) for balance, and added floor strakes to straighten flow over a wider operating window.[13](https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tech-analysis-the-bold-secrets-of-the-mercedes-w07-676514/676514/) Its bargeboards comprised six vanes plus about nine floor-level blades, a level of complexity other teams did not match.[6](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/) The exhaust arrangement was a triple set-up, with one main pipe and two wastegate pipes mounted in a double barrel shotgun configuration.[9](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/technical-analysis-mercedes-w07-5105195/5105195/) • [13](https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tech-analysis-the-bold-secrets-of-the-mercedes-w07-676514/676514/) For pitch control the car used a hydraulic-only spring element in place of a conventional coil spring, giving suppleness for mechanical grip and stiffer control in fast turns.[9](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/technical-analysis-mercedes-w07-5105195/5105195/) • [6](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/)
## 2016 season performance
The W07 won 19 of 21 grands prix, more than any other car in a single season at the time, with 33 podiums and 20 pole positions, both also single-season records; its pole percentage of 95.2% was the highest for any season.[2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf) Across 42 starts (21 per car) it recorded a 90.48% win rate, 13 wins from pole, 9 fastest laps, 8 one-two finishes, and only 3 retirements, covering 2,388 laps and about 12,100 km while scoring 765 constructors' points.[3](https://en.mclarenf-1.com/chassis/models/1035/mercedes-f1-w07-hybrid) The season ended at the [Abu Dhabi Grand Prix](https://www.edgepedia.org/abu-dhabi-grand-prix), where Hamilton won from pole with Rosberg second.[3](https://en.mclarenf-1.com/chassis/models/1035/mercedes-f1-w07-hybrid)
## The Hamilton–Rosberg rivalry and titles
The championship was settled between team-mates. Rosberg finished with 385 points, 9 wins, 8 poles, and 6 fastest laps to take the drivers' title; Hamilton scored 380 points with 10 wins, 12 poles, and 3 fastest laps.[4](https://www.statsf1.com/en/mercedes-f1-w07.aspx) The car carried Mercedes to a hat-trick of drivers' and constructors' titles, its third consecutive double.[6](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/)
## How it compares with rivals
Autosport's season analysis judged the W07 the best overall package of 2016, but noted that [Red Bull](https://www.edgepedia.org/red-bull)'s RB12 layout, with a shorter fuel tank placing the engine further forward and a nose-down, tail-up rake, appeared to offer more potential for downforce than the Mercedes aero concept.[6](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/) On the engine side, Cowell credited Honda as the best improver through 2016, with Renault making a good step in the first half of the year and Ferrari doing a lot of work over the winter, narrowing Mercedes' power unit advantage.[2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf) At launch, Autosport had observed that rivals were catching up and that the champion team would need to improve both reliability and pace to retain the crown.[9](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/technical-analysis-mercedes-w07-5105195/5105195/)
## By the numbers
The W07's statistical record is exceptional even against dominant predecessors: 19 wins in a single season, a 90.48% win rate, a 95.2% pole rate, and 765 constructors' points.[2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf) • [3](https://en.mclarenf-1.com/chassis/models/1035/mercedes-f1-w07-hybrid) Its defining number is thermal efficiency: more than 47% of the fuel's energy converted to useful work, against 29% for the V8 era, achieved within a 100 kg/hour fuel-flow cap that equates to roughly 1,200 kW of chemical power.[5](https://www.pitpass.com/55503/Mercedes-W07-revealed) • [12](https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/mercedes-hpp-sharper-power/)
**Peak power is disputed.** Autosport's analysis states the split-turbo, lean-burn PU106C produced more than 900 hp while racing with starting fuel loads of well under 100 kg.[6](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/) Ultimatecarpage's specification listing gives 600 bhp (448 kW) from the ICE and 761 bhp (568 kW) as the combined hybrid output.[7](https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/6492/Mercedes-Benz-W07-Hybrid.html)
## Legacy
The W07 was the third consecutive Mercedes title car and set then-records for wins, podiums, and pole positions.[6](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/) • [2](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf) It was succeeded by the W08 EQ Power+, built for the substantially changed 2017 wide-body regulations.[7](https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/6492/Mercedes-Benz-W07-Hybrid.html)
## References
1. [Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team 2016 Technical Briefing Pack](https://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016_technical_release.pdf)
2. [Racecar Engineering, February 2017 – Mercedes W07 analysis](https://www.chelseamagazines.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Racecar-Engineering-February-2017.pdf)
3. [Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid – race-results database](https://en.mclarenf-1.com/chassis/models/1035/mercedes-f1-w07-hybrid)
4. [Mercedes F1 W07 • STATS F1](https://www.statsf1.com/en/mercedes-f1-w07.aspx)
5. [Mercedes W07 revealed – Pitpass.com](https://www.pitpass.com/55503/Mercedes-W07-revealed)
6. [The perfect Formula 1 car from 2016 – Autosport](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-perfect-formula-1-car-from-2016-5109311/5109311/)
7. [2016 Mercedes-Benz W07 Hybrid Specifications – Ultimatecarpage](https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/6492/Mercedes-Benz-W07-Hybrid.html)
8. [Mercedes AMG Petronas – F1 W07 Hybrid (archived official team page)](https://web.archive.org/web/20160311154451/http:/www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/car/f1-w07-hybrid/)
9. [Technical analysis: Mercedes W07 – Autosport](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/technical-analysis-mercedes-w07-5105195/5105195/)
10. [A closer look at the Mercedes W07 – F1i](https://f1i.com/magazine/42376-a-closer-look-at-the-mercedes-w07.html)
11. [Mercedes reveal the F1 W07 Hybrid – Formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/mercedes-reveal-the-f1-w07-hybrid-.3HVROhF1FiKdHxZmRt8z41)
12. [Mercedes HPP – Sharper Power (Racecar Engineering)](https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/mercedes-hpp-sharper-power/)
13. [Tech analysis: The bold secrets of the Mercedes W07 – Motorsport.com](https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tech-analysis-the-bold-secrets-of-the-mercedes-w07-676514/676514/)
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