Why the Mercedes CLRs kept taking off at Le Mans 1999 - Chain Bear explains

Mercedes' most recent appearance in the Le Mans 24 Hours will forever be famous for the sight of its cars taking to the air. 20 years on from the 1999 event, which Mercedes eventually withdrew from following its third airborne accident of the week, Chain Bear explains in great detail the factors behind the design of the spectacular-looking CLR that were ultimately the three-pointed star's downfall

[zepedro]

"For sure Mercedes had aimed high but the car had aimed somewhat higher" hahahaha :D

[BrianKongXD]

Imagine he landed it and kept on racing
That would be hell of a moment

[ibrahimaamir]

1980: I bet there will be flying cars in the future
1999: flying cars

[kurumi]

Mercedes: *sends a German craft flying in French territory*
France: *sweats intensely*

[bernardguynunns]

Car has three suspension settings:
1. Highway
2. Sport
3. Aerial

[fastpace]

Webber got his red bull credentials that day. Badum tss.

[thatlithuanianboi]

Webber: Your car flips
Mercedes: He is delusional, get him out of here

[fartvaderyearsago]

*Webber flies 2 times
Redbull: He is the chosen one!!

[johnsamuel]

*How others see Le Mans:* Race circuit

*How Mercedes sees le mans:* International airport

[kentuckyblugrass]

"Mercedes had aimed high but the car had aimed somewhat higher."
When I heard that the coffee I was drinking shot out of both my mouth and my nose.

[afiqnordin]

"Redbull gives you wings"

weber: thats bull-

[Firmanonymous]

Vettel: I can spin my car

Webber: I can flip mine

[tomquinlan]

Guy flips car twice at 300kph
Yeah thats probably fine, send the car out again

Wtf were they thinking?? Those drivers were so lucky to survive

[Ricky_]

If I had a nickel for every time Mark Webber's car took off and flipped, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice

[didho]

"I ordered my new amg gtr with the backflip package pre-installed" is a joke that runs around the merc dealership I work at

[arnaldojatoba]

If it was a gymnastics competition, I would give 10/10 for the backflip.

[Chris]

"Okay, 160 knots, V1."
"What? Oh, shi-"
"Rotate. V2."
WHAT THE FU-"
"Positive rate, gear up."

[clutchyfinger]

You can simulate this happening perfectly in Project CARS 2. If you have the front rebound forces very high, with a high rear downforce balance, the air can get uder the car and...well fill in the blank lol.

[adfggffffffddffd]

I like how it took 3 cars to flip through the air for Mercedes to realize there was something wrong with their design.

[firellamasv]

I imagine people in the race saying something like this"IS THAT A BIRD IS THAT A PLANE NO THAT'S A MERCEDES