Yup, my general thinking behind the Merc's is one of their strengths is the synergy of both engine power and harvesting/applying that power. I think they are harvesting better, storing more energy and by using more energy they can apply it better and rely on it more. Brake a little earlier, harvest more power, spin up the turbo, less lag on exit, quicker acceleration.
Since the first day of the first test, the Merc has sounded smoother. The Renault started like a spluttering mess of miss mapped sounding rubbishness and drove like it(when it could drive) and the Ferrari sounded really poor in testing. Difference is the Renault does appear to have moved on significantly where the Ferrari still sounds dodgy and control wise seems all over the place.
You just get the impression that their engine/power delivery is all over the place, FAR less smooth, less controlled and wheel spin is likely much less predictable as a result.
Merc's are really good in tire life as well, not only faster but went way further than almost everyone. Braking earlier, smoother power delivery out of corners, less wheel spin. The merc seems to just have a perfect balance of everything. Everything works together to give great tire life, and everything seems to work together to store and use more power than anyone else can achieve. Beating everyone in fuel usage on top of being that much faster.
It's an epic piece of engineering that car, to get everything so right at the first go under new regs is awesome. I mean you would think a car banging around 20 seconds faster than everyone else in the first stint would... eat up their tires or use more fuel, to both save tires better and use less fuel while being that much faster is pretty ridiculous.
thanks guys 
