F1 Technical on Oppo - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork) 11/03/2013 at 23:14 • Filed to: F1 Technical on Oppo, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Formula 1, F1, OppositeLock

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Welcome to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ! The one thing that separates Formula 1 from any other motorsport is the absurd level of engineering and aerodynamic advancement that the teams push on each other, and we are here to appreciate, discuss, and revel in the beauty of design on the current limits of speed.

Open discussions in the comments section are welcomed and promoted. I will post a few pictures that I've found interesting on a particular race weekend, and hopefully we'll get some great discussions stirring!

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Ferrari

Vertical strakes on top of the diffuser to channel the airflow from the coke-bottle zone and the exhaust.

New vent exit seen next to their coanda exhaust exit; this is closed off in other pictures.

Williams

Williams ditching the coanda exhaust layout, and perhaps preparing for the 2014 season when the diffuser won't be defended from tire squirt by the blown exhaust.

Mercedes

Mercedes testing their passive DRS. I think the second channeled exit below the monkey seat is funneling the hot air out of the engine compartment. Does anyone know if passive DRS systems are banned in 2014; I doubt this if Mercedes are testing this system this late in the season.

Red Bull

Just amazing.

[Select images from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ]

nobody > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/03/2013 at 23:18

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Williams also found that they were quicker after ditching the Coanda.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > nobody 11/03/2013 at 23:26

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I know not having the exhaust blowing increases horsepower, so the increase in power must have contributed to a better lap time than loss in downforce form the blowing took away.

Foxtrotzed - Internet Sensation of 2010 > nobody 11/03/2013 at 23:29

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I haven't been following the Coanda exhausts quite like I should have been. I petered off after pre-season really... From what I've heard, the combination of Red Bull's rake and exhaust flow management, they've managed to seal the tray and diffuser edges much like the R-18 minus the direct exhaust flow. Is this how most teams are utilizing it? Or just the hot blown effect? How would this have been a negative impact for Williams? I suppose if you get the flow wrong it could just introduce unnecessary turbulence and lower the aero efficiency?

nobody > Foxtrotzed - Internet Sensation of 2010 11/03/2013 at 23:31

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Yeah, they're sealing off the wake of the tires from disrupting the diffuser flow

desertdog5051 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/04/2013 at 00:33

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Fantastic post. Thanks. I would suggest that you annotate images for folks who may not understand all the complexities of what you are speaking of. Once again, fantastic.

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/04/2013 at 09:44

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Both loldonado and bottas said that while yhe new exhaust didn't give any major laptime advantage they did make the car a lot more deliverable. So both liked it .

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents 11/04/2013 at 11:41

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loldonado: don't know if this is a typo or on purpose, but I like it.

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/04/2013 at 12:17

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Not a typo :)

cbckly962 > nobody 11/07/2013 at 21:47

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It's been a nightmare for them all season, so I'm not really surprised.

Thenotsolonelytraveler > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/10/2013 at 11:49

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The rear of the Ferrari looks undeveloped compared to the RB9. Makes you think of how much development and work has gone just at the back of that car. Just Amazing! Exactly.