Technically Formula 1 - Jerez Testing Day 4

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
02/01/2014 at 14:57 • Filed to: Technically Formula 1, F1 Technical on Oppo, Formula 1, Jerez, Testing, OppositeLock

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.

For more technical intrigue, be sure to check out this year's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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

Testing Day 4 - Jerez, Spain

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Red Bull

Notice the slots in the floor and the elongated strake leading up to the edge of the tire. These are what the teams have to now run, somewhat in excess due to the loss of the blown diffuser in an attempt to deal with tire squirt, the turbulent air running off the rotation of the tires.

The red arrow above is pointing to venting outlets that were made in a hurry. Red Bull, and their engine manufacturer Renault, are having quite a bit of trouble in Jerez; the former for cooling issues, and the latter with engine problems.

Mercedes

W05 rear end detail.

Ferrari

Rumor is that the Ferrari powered cars have the easiest time dealing with cooling; this is why Ferrari can sun such small sidepod and airscoop inlets relative to the rest of the field.

A small opening at the rear of the sidepods, just before the cooling exit, has appeared on the F14T.

McLaren

Some overhead shots of McLaren's Wishbone Wings, Butterfly Suspension, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , or whatever you want to call it, that came out from under the covers on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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It becomes a bit easier to visualize how these aerodynamically designed wishbones work from this angle.

MP4-29 rear end detail. Along with the Shroomspension helping to replicate the beam wing in creating a conglomerate stream of upwash in coalition with the rear wing and diffuser, the Y75 winglet modified flow from the exhaust also helps to a degree.

Force India

The VJM07 pitot tube testing. Interestingly enough, the tubes seem to be pointing a bit inward, something I've not typically seen.

VJM07 rear end detail.

Sauber

Sauber, along with Marussia, do not seem to be running a vertical strake at the corner of the sidepods.

Sauber are also running a Ferrari engine, and can get away with running substantially less cooling vents than either a Renault or Mercedes powered chassis.

Williams

Another rumor circling the paddock is that Williams will be running a Martini liveried chassis come the first race in Melbourne, though they will continue to run this blue paint up until the end of testing.

FW36 front wing detail.

FW36 rear end detail.

Marussia

MR03 front wing and nose detail.

Caterham

an interesting view inside the cockpit of the CT05 chassis.

CT05 rear end detail.

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DISCUSSION (42)

Pedro Rafael > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 15:12

Kinja'd!!!

Nice Senna sticker

Cixelsyd > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 15:31

Another rumor circling the paddock is that Williams will be running a Martini liveried chassis come the first race in Bahrain, though they will continue to run this blue paint up until the end of testing.

Please be true. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

CAcoalminer > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 16:24

I guess I never really realized it but those rear tires look huge. How wide are they?

czechmonsterdeux > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 16:26

So if Ferrari has the easiest time cooling their engines does that mean there will be no Ferrari fires? Sad face.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 16:31

Why only in Bahrain? Would be strange to not paint the new sponsor starting with the first GP in Melbourne.

01101001an > Cixelsyd
02/01/2014 at 16:40

Here is their new launch photo....

Kinja'd!!!

SeaOfAshes > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 16:49

Kinja'd!!!

I'm hoping that either the pitot tubes mean this is just for testing, or else Ferrari tries sailing with it at least once

NoahthePorscheGuy > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 16:51

Wouldn't that be frowned upon? Is Alcohol illegal in Bahrain? Or is that just Abu Dhabi?

SeaOfAshes > SeaOfAshes
02/01/2014 at 16:52

Nevermind. Just saw the McLaren ones, so I'm pretty sure they're just for testing purposes. They might still be able to sail with them, though

Also_Ran > CAcoalminer
02/01/2014 at 16:59

According to Pirelli's website (which only mentions 2013):

Rim: 13 inch diameter

Front: 245mm wide

Rear: 325mm wide

Dry: 660mm diameter

Wet: 670mm diameter

There was talk of making this year's tyres larger (I'm not sure which way) to cope with the extra torque, but one of the engine suppliers objected so it didn't happen. Wikipedia mentions larger dimensions but I think they're out of date.

DarthNoll > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
02/01/2014 at 17:03

I don't think it said they wouldn't, just that the blue is staying until the end of testing.

montyburners > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 17:09

Kinja'd!!!

Really like what they did with the nose.

Brosenkranz > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 17:18

While McLaren is running those crazy rear control arms, Redbull also seems to be ducting hot air toward shaped controls arms. McLaren has a pretty serious exhaust diffuser too - they seem to have the most obvious aero tricks but maybe the other teams have more subtle solutions.

James Coulee > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
02/01/2014 at 17:21

There'll be a second pre-season test weekend in Bahrain, starting the 19th of february: I guess that's where Fractal Footwork mixed it up.

Andrew > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 17:21

I'm so torn about this season. Bullshit political rules, but unbelievable technology and engineering behind these cars. Hopefully we'll get some actual racing, but hopefully it's not all dependent on the manufactures.

I'm worried that it's going to be a battle of pit wall rather than the drivers. I'm unbelievably excited, and nervous, to see what happens in Melbourne.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > NoahthePorscheGuy
02/01/2014 at 17:25

I think they may display the colors, but hold off on the logos

dapper_otter > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
02/01/2014 at 17:31

I suspect it's a typo and the author meant the first race in Melbourne.

F1guy hates duck billed F1 cars > Pedro Rafael
02/01/2014 at 17:33

They've run that on each car they've made since he died. It's usually on the front wing. Even after 20 years, they still recognize him, which is nice.

dedoverde_uk > Cixelsyd
02/01/2014 at 17:41

It's looking likely Karun Chandhok tweeted a couple of weeks ago about a classic livery coming back.

https://twitter.com/karunchandhok/…

So a great new livery and what seems to be a very smart engine supplier switch, it's about time for a proper Williams renaissance.

dmcspeedy > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 18:05

Kinja'd!!!

Is that a Yorkshire rose peeking out from under there? Maybe an easter egg added by one of the crew?

cooperquinn_wy > Cixelsyd
02/01/2014 at 18:14

Oh good god yes.
Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease

f86sabre > Pedro Rafael
02/01/2014 at 18:26

They have been there since 94 and some money goes to the Senna Foundation. Williams may be struggling, but they have always been a class act.

CAcoalminer > Also_Ran
02/01/2014 at 18:26

Interesting. Thank you for the information.

Architect > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 19:16

Kinja'd!!!

There is no end to my desire for this Caterham leaf-blower. I would be the envy of suburbia.

punksmurph > montyburners
02/01/2014 at 19:48

It looks more like a bird of prey beak than a cock.

Destructive Tester > Cixelsyd
02/01/2014 at 20:51

Damn you beat me...
I was ready to say: You had me at "Williams will be running a Martini liveried chassis..."

By the way, am I the only one who loves that Force India livery?

Pedro Rafael > f86sabre
02/01/2014 at 21:01

It's nice to see that they still remember him. Senna was not only a great driver, he was also a great person. Here in Brazil, the Instituto Ayrton Senna helps to enhance the quality of the educational system, which is pretty poor.

Rich J > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
02/01/2014 at 21:39

"Technical innovation is what makes Formula 1 so different from any other form of racing."

We can all agree that it's no contest with the technology in most of racing - Indy, Nascar, etc - but that's dismissive of the great things happening in the WEC. Yes, the fields and variety are greater in F1, but the rules are wider open in the WEC.

This year, we have 4 known P1 teams, with very different drivetrains (I'm including Rebellion's LMP1-L in the count), not to count all of the different little aero details.

mierdv > Brosenkranz
02/01/2014 at 22:54

I dunno of the big teams McLaren was really out of the running mid way last year. I suspect they went ahead and rode out the season while all their engineering staff busted ass, under pain of death, to make sure the 2014 car got off on the correct foot and maybe set them up for dominance.

nickhater1 > Cixelsyd
02/01/2014 at 22:59

Fun fact; the first race isn't Bahrain

nickhater1 > NoahthePorscheGuy
02/01/2014 at 23:00

Well the first race is Melbourne, so there's that...