MALAYSIA GP : TECHNICAL NEWS

Ferrari F2008 - additional sidepod venting

The hot and damp Malaysian climate imposes special demands on all the teams to prevent overheating, especially of the engine. Ferrari had already adopted additional venting on the top of the F2008's sidepods, but these new slits (see insets), fit seamlessly with the original design. They provide a more efficient thermal exchange, while impacting as little as possible on the car's aerodynamic efficiency. Radical solutions adopted by other teams have hindered efficiency, as the hot air exiting through the new venting spoils the airflow directed to the car's rear wing and any winglets on the rear bodywork.

Ferrari F2008 - front-axle airflow management

Looking closely at the cars in the pit lane it is always possible to spot interesting concepts in the front suspension area, including fins, winglets and wing-shaped suspension wishbones. To find the most efficient aerodynamics in this area of a car, the F2008 is a good example. This section of the Ferrari is virtually divided into two parts, with the upper section (top arrow) managing the airflow passing over the sidepods, to feed the rear end's wing profiles. The lower section (bottom arrow), meanwhile, is directed towards the entry of the sidepods and the bottom of the car, feeding the barge boards placed just in front of the sidepods.

Honda RA108 - additional sidepod venting

Malaysia's tropical weather means teams face a cooling challenge. The high humidity hinders the correct flow of air through the car's radiators, so most squads try to find 'on site' solutions to guarantee the proper dissipation of hot air, without spoiling aerodynamic efficiency. Reliability is paramount, so even if the perfect compromise in terms of efficiency can't be found, radical solutions are often adopted. In the case of Honda, additional venting has been added on top of the sidepods by cutting big holes in front of the exhaust vents (inset). This improves the extraction of hot air from the sidepods (red arrow) and thus reduces the risk of the engine overheating. This precaution is even more significant if we consider the two-race engine rule.