lundi 15 mars 2010

Technical News for Bahrain GP

Ferrari F10 - modified front wing



During the last pre-season test at Barcelona, Ferrari introduced a new version of the F10's front wing. When compared to the older version (inset), we can see it features a tiny addition to the rear of the endplate (1) and a new main profile with a different flap which has a small endplate (2) on its inner edge.


Red Bull RB6 - new exhaust positioning



The exhausts on the RB6 have been repositioned in Bahrain. Before the exits were above the rear suspension's lower wishbones (as on last year's car). Now they are much lower, just inside the rear tyres. This is designed to increase the efficiency of the rear diffuser's side channels. However, it could prove a cooling risk at the start or if running at low speed (such as behind the safety car), when the slower airflow over the car will have less power to redirect the hot air from the exhaust.


McLaren MP4-25 - front chassis duct / rear aero package





Ever since the car's launch, the MP4-25's sophisticated aero package has attracted a lot of attention. The airbox is split into two channels. The lower one (bottom blue arrow) is designed to cool the gearbox radiator. The hot air expelled then hits the exit edge of the lower beam wing and diffuser (see small red arrows). The upper channel (top blue arrow) feeds air through the long fin that connects to the rear wing. The air is then expelled on to the wing's flap through a slot at a certain speed. These two processes combine to stall the rear wing at high speeds, reducing drag and hence increasing maximum speed. There is a clever solution to control the system. A duct has been placed at the front of the chassis, which feeds additional air into the process, over saturating it and stopping it functioning. On the straights, where this solution is most important, the drivers have the ability to close the duct with either their left leg or arm.

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