F1 2011 season, car launch etc.

[Sunny]

At least the paint schemes are interesting this year.

 

[Deleted member 25]

The sauber one is pretty aweful.

 

[martinbo]

Thanks Martin. Do you think we'll ever see the x-trac gearbox in production vehicles one day bearing in mind that they will have to be beefed up to last longer.

Check out page 9 of the Pagani Huayra thread.

Yes, inevitably, innovations made in motorsport trickle down at first into upper-end production cars (e.g. Pagani Huayra) and as the manufacturing process moves toward volume, production techniques become simplified, materials become cheaper and durability improves.

Gearbox/transmission [a CVT isn't a gearbox ] technology - as a result of precision manufacturing techniques coupled with fined-tuned software calibration - is set for the next for the next big shift ('scuse the pun) in technology in the next 3-5 years following the DCT era.

 

[Monster]

The rear is indeed rather compact and will have a low center of gravity. The mid-section of the car packs most junk and that's because Renault will employ a radical exhaust system which will blow the fumes to the front of the car, probably close to the outer edges of the side pods. This explains the size of the side pods which will need to swallow plenty of air to cool the extra spaghetti of exhaust pipes extending to the front. The hot air will likely be accelerated across the tea-tray by the cold air directed by the splitter. It's a cunning way of innovating a blown-diffuser.

Are there any more details about the Renault's exhaust location, do you have a link for it? It is a very interesting idea but it is very difficult to achieve in terms of packaging and thermo management, especially with the inclusion of KERS where people are suggesting the components will be separated and stored inside the bottom of the side pods, much like what Mclaren did in 2009. Also, the exhaust pipes would have to surround the fuel tank, and you don't want to heat up the fuel.

The larger size of the side pods might just be because the engineers need to get more air flow to cool the electronics and hardware of the KERS system, and the actual exhausts outlets might be placed at the bottom of the car, it isn't new, Adrian Newey tried it with Mclaren back in the mid 90s.

 

[Monster]

A few more car launches in time for the start of winter testing.

Mercedes GP W02

Sharp looking, not really liking the excessively green side pod. Front section looks very similar to the Red Bull, the unusual air box is gone. Note the rear pull rod suspension and low exhaust outlet for the blown diffuser effect.
http://img607.imageshack.us/i/launch.jpg/
http://img830.imageshack.us/i/nosep.jpg/
http://img810.imageshack.us/i/sidepod.jpg/

Red Bull RB7
IMO it looks very similar to the RB6, with smaller side intake, but as usual, the most interesting bits are always hidden from view.
http://img25.imageshack.us/i/redbullrb7launchsebasti.jpg/

http://img198.imageshack.us/i/redbullrb71.jpg/

Toro Rosso STR 6
http://img6.imageshack.us/i/launch1.jpg/

 

[Centurion]

Are there any more details about the Renault's exhaust location, do you have a link for it? It is a very interesting idea but it is very difficult to achieve in terms of packaging and thermo management, especially with the inclusion of KERS where people are suggesting the components will be separated and stored inside the bottom of the side pods, much like what Mclaren did in 2009. Also, the exhaust pipes would have to surround the fuel tank, and you don't want to heat up the fuel.

The larger size of the side pods might just be because the engineers need to get more air flow to cool the electronics and hardware of the KERS system, and the actual exhausts outlets might be placed at the bottom of the car, it isn't new, Adrian Newey tried it with Mclaren back in the mid 90s.

It's sort of been confirmed now:

Renault R31 Front Exit Exhausts (FEE) – Explained « Scarbsf1's Blog

 

[Bartek S.]

 

[Bartek S.]

Press release

R31 Launch: BLACK TO THE FUTURE

The world's media got their first glimpse of Lotus Renault GP's 2011 challenger this afternoon as the R31 was presented in the pit lane of the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.

Robert and Vitaly joined Gerard Lopez (Chairman of LRGP) and Eric Boullier (Team Principal and Managing Director) to pull back the covers and present the car the team hopes will continue the squad's push towards the front of the grid.

"For Genii Capital and Lotus Renault GP, the 2011 season will be the one in which we achieve our aims," said Gerard Lopez. "We now have 100% ownership of the team, and we're tackling the coming championship with the intention of continuing to do things our way – but always with humility. I would like to welcome Lotus Cars, a new ambitious title sponsor with us for the long term. Renault and Total have also chosen to accompany us again in this adventure and we thank them for their valuable contribution. Our aim for 2011 is to continue our march towards the front of the grid, seize the slightest opportunity and do better than last season in both the drivers' and constructors' championships. We feel we are well prepared for the challenge ahead."

Eric Boullier echoed those sentiments and paid tribute to the enormous effort back at the team's base in Enstone: "All the hard work over the winter has been focused on delivering a big improvement for 2011. The result is a car with more than 92% new parts compared to the R30. But technical innovation isn't the only key to performance. Since last year, we have reviewed all our internal processes and our overall efficiency has now improved by 15%. That means we should be more competitive than last year, on the track and at the factory."

Technical Director, James Allison, explained how the team approached the design of the R31: "Words like 'aggressive' and 'innovative' are very much in vogue in Formula 1 at the moment, but where the R31 is concerned we feel those adjectives are appropriate. It's true to say that the car has been designed in an ambitious manner and a quick glance at the layout will confirm that its entire concept differs considerably, not just from last year's car, but from any car this team has ever produced."

Both Robert and Vitaly were enthusiastic as they got acquainted with their new car and eager for the season to get underway.

"After a long winter break you always feel ready to jump back in the car," explained Robert. "At the moment it's difficult to know just how competitive our package will be, but the engineers have decided to go for an innovative design, which is good."

Vitaly added: "It feels exciting to be starting my second year of Formula 1 and I can't wait to try this beautiful car for the first time tomorrow. Now that I have a year of F1 experience behind me, I feel more confident and ready to deliver. I'm determined to do well and fight hard for this team."

The team's new third drivers were presented as well, with Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean adding further strength to the team's driver line-up. The team's reserve drivers (and members of the LRGP Academy) were confirmed as Jan Charouz, Ho-Pin Tung and Fairuz Fauzy (who was unable to attend the launch due to his GP2 Series commitments).

The team also welcomes two important new partners in SunCore and Sibur, while Genii Capital promotes its Business Exchange platform through more significant branding on the car. Further information on the team's partners is available in our media pack and on our website: Home*-*Lotus Renault GP

 

[Monster]

Thanks Luw.

Dam Renault's secret exhaust didn't take long to be exposed. Red Bull managed to keep their blown diffuser well hidden for a good 3 to 4 races or more before anyone noticed them, or realized the additional function of them. The floor/rear diffuser generally provide between 35% to 40% of the overall down force of the car, so any gain in this area is massive, as we have seen back in 2009 with Brawn GP. If Renault has the basics correct, eg weight distribution, suspension geometry, then it will be the car to beat this year.

 

[Remy Zero]

Check this out guys...the new rear wing working on the Sauber.

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[Bartek S.]

Vettel fastest in first test of 2011

World champion Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time on the opening day of Formula 1 pre-season testing at Valencia. Eleven of the 12 teams hit the track today (with Lotus joining tomorrow) and the Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari spent much of the day around the frontrunning pace.
Vettel was first to dip below the 1m14s barrier this afternoon and his only company there was Force India's Nico Hulkenberg. The German took the early stint in the team's interim car and matched the quick-lap pace of the leading teams. His average longer-run times were more than a second slower though.


Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault* 1m13.769s 93
2. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m13.938s + 0.169s 71
3. Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1m14.292s + 0.523s 91
4. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m14.461s + 0.692s 28
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari* 1m14.553s + 0.784s 97
6. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari* 1m15.621s + 1.852s 68
7. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m16.003s + 2.234s 71
8. Vitaly Petrov Renault* 1m16.351s + 2.582s 28
9. Michael Schumacher Mercedes* 1m16.450s + 2.681s 15
10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari* 1m17.214s + 3.445s 19
11. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth* 1m17.335s + 3.566s 77
12. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m18.020s + 4.251s 45
13. Nico Rosberg Mercedes* 1m19.930s + 6.161s 9

 

[Centurion]

Mercedes GP W02

Sharp looking, not really liking the excessively green side pod. Front section looks very similar to the Red Bull, the unusual air box is gone. Note the rear pull rod suspension and low exhaust outlet for the blown diffuser effect.

Adrian Newey was bold enough to revive the pullrod suspension in 2009 and the recent 2 seasons are a testament that pullrod is a must for which ever constructor wants to stand up against Red Bull. This season will be a exhaust & diffuser war. By finishing on top during todays test session, Red Bull has clearly drawn first blood.

The nose on the RB7 is typical Newey. It's a thinning and then thickening type of nose that is clearly the product of an aerodynamic wizard. However, the shape is nothing new and the nose is simply a subtle evolution of the one on the RB6.

Checking out the rear of the car one cannot help but be stunned by how unbelievably compact the rear body work is! Just look at all the real estate of dead space low down on the car by the exhaust pipes. I can already tell that the car will be a down force monster with such a huge tea tray extending to the diffuser. No other acr on the grid has such a tiny rear

Red Bull has stuffed the suspension, KERS engine and fuel tank into the tiniest package possible. But hey, since Double Diffusers have been outlawed, teams need to find ways of generating the same amount of down force using only one diffuser. Let's hope the RB7 won't have any heat issues with so many critical components neatly compressed into a tiny space. We don't want FIA to make fire extinguishers a mandatory accessory in F1 cars

 

[MBFanToDeath]

F1: Valencia Test – Day Two

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Valencia, Feb 02, 2011

Nico Rosberg was back at the wheel of the new Silver Arrow today as the first pre-season test continues in Valencia.

Running with the Mercedes KERS system operational for the first time, Nico had a productive day, completing 69 laps as he conducted the team’s programme of systems and reliability checks with the new car.

Michael Schumacher will take over for the third and final day of the test tomorrow.

Nico Rosberg: “It was an interesting day and important that we completed a lot of laps. We ran with part of the KERS system for the first time so much of the focus was on learning how to handle the system. It is challenging but just a matter of getting used to the buttons and how the car feels under braking out on track. Today’s running confirmed my initial good feelings about the car. We had a few issues which is normal with a new car but fixed them quickly.”

Ross Brawn: “Today was important for us to get some good mileage on the car and I’m pleased with what we have been able to achieve. It has been a learning experience for us all to use KERS for the first time and inevitably we faced some teething problems with the system which should be ironed out quickly enough with further testing. A more positive day in terms of reliability and we completed a number of the key system checks with the new car.”

Source: F1: Valencia Test – Day Two « The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG

 

[Bartek S.]

Alonso sets the pace on second day at Valencia

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Alonso Ferrari 1m13.307s 108
2. Vettel Red Bull Renault 1m13.614s +0.307 43
3. Di Resta Force India Mercedes 1m13.844s +0.537 111 *
4. Hamilton McLaren Mercedes 1m14.353s +1.046 83 *
5. Kubica Renault 1m14.412s +1.105 104
6. Rosberg Mercedes 1m14.645s +1.338 69
7. Glock Virgin Cosworth 1m15.408s +2.101 34 *
8. Barrichello Williams Cosworth 1m16.023s +2.716 51
9. Perez Sauber Ferrari 1m16.198s +2.891 42
10. Maldonado Williams Cosworth 1m16.266s +2.959 29
11. Buemi Toro Rosso Ferrari 1m16.359s +3.052 46
12. Alguersuari Toro Rosso Ferrari 1m16.474s +3.167 64
13. Webber Red Bull Renault 1m17.365s +4.058 17
14. Karthikeyan HRT Cosworth 1m17.769s +1.165 80 *
15. Kovalainen Lotus Renault 1m20.649s +7.342 15

 

[MBFanToDeath]

F1: Valencia Test – Day Three

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Valencia, Feb 03, 2011

The first winter test of the 2011 Formula One season concluded in Valencia today with Michael Schumacher rounding off the three-day programme for the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team.

The focus was once again on reliability and mileage accumulation with the new MGP W02 car, as well as giving Michael the opportunity to familiarise himself with the Mercedes KERS system for the first time. A strong day of running saw Michael complete 110 laps in total.

Michael Schumacher: “We were able to achieve a lot of valuable mileage and it was a positive day. I am pleased with that, and with how the car was behaving. Again, of course, this is not our final race car for the season but a lot of elements have already proved to be a significant step forward. I felt totally comfortable in the car immediately and noticed how much I had missed driving since November. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and this week gives us a very good idea of where we should concentrate our work. I look forward to going to Jerez now.”

Ross Brawn: “A good day’s work today with Michael, and we have been able to cover some significant mileage which is important for our reliability checks. We’re starting to get an insight into the car’s behaviour and its responses to various set-up changes are proving to be very consistent. After a few difficulties at the start of the test, we have finished with a strong day providing plenty of data and options to take forward to the next test in Jerez.”

Source: F1: Valencia Test – Day Three « The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG

 

[Centurion]

Anyone looking to be um...unproductive at work today should tune into Home / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes today at 12pm(UK time) and following Mclaren's Berlin launch of the, promised to be radical in all ways possible, MP4-26.

 

[Gene]

Wow those sidepods are crazy.

 

[Gene]

This has to be the strangest reveal ever.

I mean they are bringing the car in piece by piece. Doesn't that mean the competitors can see the internals and everything?

Or am I missing something?

EDIT: Nope, not missing anything. That has to be one of the cheapest reveals ever in the history of McLaren.

 

[Monster]

EDIT: Nope, not missing anything. That has to be one of the cheapest reveals ever in the history of McLaren.

Definitely spent all their money on their new car. Radical looking indeed, but we will see how it goes on the track.

 

[Monster]

http://img80.imageshack.us/i/8626.jpg/

Q&A with McLaren technical chiefs
Friday 4th February 2011

Q&A with McLaren technical chiefs
McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe and engineering director Tim Goss discuss the MP4-26.

Q: What are the significant visual changes to the MP4-26?
Tim Goss: "I think there are some novel features on the car - the long wheelbase and U-shaped sidepods are probably the most obvious examples. The thinking behind that is to feed as much good-quality air as possible to the rear-lower main plane and the floor of the car. We want to get the rear-end working as well as possible following the loss of performance caused by the banning of the double-diffuser.

"For 2011, KERS [hybrid] is now a single integrated unit that sits within the survival cell, beneath the fuel-tank. In 2009, it was housed in the sidepods. The hybrid's cooling intake sits directly below the main roll-hoop intake.

"And, once again, we've really pushed the car's cooling configuration: we've got a second air intake on the engine cover for gearbox and hydraulic cooling."

Q: What have been your biggest challenges ahead of the 2011 season
TG: "For me, there have been two: recovering the rear downforce we lost following the banning of the double-diffuser, and fully exploiting the Pirelli tyres. The tyres only last for around 10 laps, and making them last longer is quite a challenge. So we need to look closely at how we configure the set-up and suspension to make the tyres last."

Paddy Lowe: "Getting KERS [hybrid] back on the car was a big task. Collaborating with Mercedes GP to define the specification for Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines was very satisfying: there was great collaboration and co-operation between us. There can be lots of difficulties finding alignment between two teams, but I'm pleased with how we made it happen and very happy with the outcome."

TG: "The system was also more difficult to package because you've got to carry more fuel. That was the first challenge, but we got through that. There were a few difficult decisions concerning architecture around different aerodynamic concepts, but I think we ended up with a design layout we're happy with."

Q: You've both stressed the team-effort that has characterised the development of this car - does the recent restructure of the technical management reflect that?
PL: "The restructure reflects Tim's increased role within the engineering department, but it's also been good to delegate the work around the next generation of senior engineers coming through in the company.

"For MP4-26, we've distributed the workload around five or six senior engineers in different specialist areas - and that's a structure that will continue under Tim's watch. I'm really proud of the depth of talent that we can draw upon at McLaren Racing, and there have been some great opportunities for some new players to contribute directly to the car at a high level.

TG: "And it's not just good for them; it's good for the company and good for the end-product. I think we're going to make better cars because we have wider access to the horsepower available within the design system. They're all good guys and all have good ideas - it's a cliche, but car design really is a team effort these days."

Q: What are your immediate aspirations as you roll out MP4-26
TG: We set ourselves a very ambitious aerodynamic target for 2011. We always want to do more and we're always very critical about performance, but we feel we've done a good job. We've identified some areas where we can add performance to the car - over the next weeks, the task will be to get them on to the car and reliable by the first race. That's the big challenge."

Source: McLaren

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