F1 Technical on Oppo - Brazilian Grand Prix

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork) 11/24/2013 at 16:50 • Filed to: F1 Technical on Oppo, Brazilian Grand Prix, Grande Premio do Brasil, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Formula 1, OppositeLock

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( Updated ). Technical innovation is what makes Formula 1 so different from any other form of racing. The on track action is as much played out by the engineers and aerodynamicists as it is the drivers. We are here to admire, study, and discuss this beauty that exists on the ragged edge of what we think is possible, or at least what we thought was possible.

Discussions and questions are welcomed and encouraged in the comments section below.

Grande Prêmio do Brasil - Interlagos

Red Bull

Pitot tube testing the rear of the RB9.

While Red Bull do run a traditional duct on their front brake ducts, they seem to also be running ducts within carbon structure bracing the inside of the tire's sidewall.

RB9 rear bodywork detail. The exhaust piping is exposed and can be seen angled upward on exit, as per the rules.

Ferrari

Turing vanes on the Ferrari chassis.

New vortex generators on the Ferrari.

Does anyone know what this white thing that the blue arrow is pointing toward? My only guess is a tire temperature sensor, but alas it is only a guess.

Mercedes

Mercedes pit garage during Thursday build-up.

Mercedes front wing detail. These curbed carbon panels adorning the front wing exist to curve air around the front tires; this will be more difficult in 2014, as the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to shorten the width of the front wing.

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A tire surface temperature sensor can also be seen integrated into the front wing; this measures the tire temperature during the race and relays that information back to the team on the pit wall.

Mercedes beam wing detail.

These slots in the floor are meant to reduce the air pressure above the tire and send it below. This is the first time I've seen these as some sort of metal component, where previously and currently on other chassis these slots are just part of the carbon floor. I presume that they are made of metal for strength purposes.

Sauber

New vanes at the front of the C32 chassis sidepods. also note the rise in floor body work at in between the vertical vane and the sidepod.

Sauber's Coanda exhaust detail. The bodywork surrounding the exhaust must be without paint or made of a different material entirely, other than carbon fiber, in order for the paint or carbon not to bubble, deform, or collapse under the high temperatures.

Sauber, just as Infinity Red Bull Racing, have opted to implement an 'S-duct' on their C32; this duct brings air up from underneath the nose, to create a lower pressure underneath the chassis, and dumps it above the nose, exiting out of the vent seen above.

Sauber steering wheel detail.

Williams

Williams steering wheel detail. Notice the differences between this and the Sauber's iteration? Each wheel is handmade by each team in order to function perfectly with each team's specific chassis and to fit each driver's preferences.

Lotus

Inlets on the E21's T-tray; I do not know to what these vent.

Wheel weight distribution simulation weights.

Note the red circle; this part of the wing creates a vortex directed underneath the nose and towards the outside of the sidepods. At the Austin Grand Prix, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! due to the particular conditions of FP3.

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This allows us to see that a vortex is also generated from the Front Wing which is ultimately targeted at the Sidepod's airflow conditioner and designed to impede the airflow from the front wheel/tyre impinging on the front of the sidepod/floor (especially during yaw).

McLaren

Wheel weight distribution simulation weights.

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

Shoop > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 19:41

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Fucking Bullshit.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 20:02

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Prêmio has one of those stupid accents in it, you can copypasta from here if you want, for when this gets on the Best of Oppo and someone from the FP makes a similar comment in typical FP politeness.

Oh yeah, other than that, great read as usual!

desertdog5051 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 20:57

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Another great one Fractal. Keep them coming.

Ghost Dog - For the kittens > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/23/2013 at 16:42

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Thank you very much!

desertdog5051 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/23/2013 at 20:32

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Another Exxxxxcellent post. I am really watching for them now. Thanks, Fractal.

desertdog5051 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/24/2013 at 17:06

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Camera or turn signal. :)

desertdog5051 > desertdog5051 11/24/2013 at 17:07

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Thanks kinja. You nailed it. You worthless POS.