2015 F1 Mechanics/Aero; Design predictions to win the WCC/WDC. READ FIRST POST

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

They had no reliability issues in Hungary, but I'm not at all convinced 1 race indicates all problems have been resolved. I just hope the power increase doesn't reduce the reliability, wherever it is now, once again.

The drivers have both spoken about the drive-ability of the engine so it is definitely more than just having more power available throughout the entire race. The same article reveals that Honda think the chassis is actually what is holding performance back and the lack of aero efficiency is the problem...

It is all concerning me, given the way Red Bull and Renault have gone over the last 2 years. Individual interviews / press releases that blame the other half of the team can't be constructive. Hopefully I'm just misreading that between context.

Honda and McLaren have been pointing the figure at each other since the partnership has started so sour especially after what they had years ago. The thing is they're just not as public about it as RBR and Renault. But yeah it's been talked about on here, and many others think it has more to do with Honda and less to do with McLaren.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

A return to ground effects with simpler front wings is tipped for 2017:

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120362/f1-poised-for-ground-effect-return

 

[GTPorsche]

The low-drag wing for Mercedes.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Mercedes have re-iterated that they won't be talking to Red Bull about engine supply until Renault's position is confirmed. No surprises there but I guess it's only a matter of time until negotiations are opened.

 

[GTPorsche]

Makes sense. Why talk about supplying another team when they're still most likely locked into their deal with Renault.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Makes sense. Why talk about supplying another team when they're still most likely locked into their deal with Renault.

Because they're not allowed. Apart from the principle given the off-track relationship between Mercedes and Renault there may be some legalities involved in the notoriously correct German law.

There's an interesting article on Murdoch Vision today; Lotus cannot sell to Renault because Infiniti Red Bull Racing are contracted to be Renault's "premium partner" until the end of 2016... so Renault cannot buy into another team before 2017.

However, if it's true that IRBR have served notice of an early contract withdrawal through Renault's failure to hit stated performance targets then that plan may be advanced to 2016. Of course, as Murray Walker always said, F1 is "IF" backwards.

La Source.

 

[GTPorsche]

I wasn't asking a question, hence the lack of question mark.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I wasn't asking a question, hence the lack of question mark.

Why start with why.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Charlie Whiting wants to open up the rules regulating the use of the CFD to help teams finalise their 2017 projects:

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120520/cfd-amnesty-to-help-f1-revamp-plans

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Charlie Whiting wants to open up the rules regulating the use of the CFD to help teams finalise their 2017 projects:

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120520/cfd-amnesty-to-help-f1-revamp-plans

Problem is oversight, they already limited the amount of CFD data size used by team each year and it's lower than it was last year when the first started the CFD/wind tunnel limits. So how do they ensure that teams aren't using it to further 2016 ambitions?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Problem is oversight, they already limited the amount of CFD data size used by team each year and it's lower than it was last year when the first started the CFD/wind tunnel limits. So how do they ensure that teams aren't using it to further 2016 ambitions?

I would imagine that they would need to show that everything they did contributed to what they put together for 2017.

Besides, there's only so much that CFD can do. Even if they were running at maximum output, dedicating resources to 2016 will take away from 2017. And given the radical overhaul expected for 2017, I doubt that we will see significant changes in 2016 - rather like the limited changes between 2012 and 2013 in anticipation of the 2014 changes.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I would imagine that they would need to show that everything they did contributed to what they put together for 2017.

Besides, there's only so much that CFD can do. Even if they were running at maximum output, dedicating resources to 2016 will take away from 2017. And given the radical overhaul expected for 2017, I doubt that we will see significant changes in 2016 - rather like the limited changes between 2012 and 2013 in anticipation of the 2014 changes.

True but just like tunnel testing, if more time can be poured into it than what is already given I'm sure they would want it. Just to have something to test during FPs. Also not sure how it will take away, from what I just read this is more of an effort to help the 2017 rules that aren't solid yet. Any info that they do provide to the FIA for how the 2017 rules should be crafted wont ensure that what was done can fully be used, thus if a team modeled a full CFD version of a 2017 prospect nothing guarantees even 40% of that car will be used. The FIA will just tweak in accordance to the overall perspective teams give and probably (hopefully) not to one or two teams saying so over the rest.

So I really don't see how they lose anything on the 2017 front especially when there is still an entire year before the FIA says what is and isn't reality for that race year.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Craig Scarborough breaks down the latest 2017 proposals:

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120521/tech-analysis-latest-2017-f1-ideas

 

[Cap'n Jack]

McLaren might be just as well off without a rear wing for the Italian GP, it's that shallow.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

McLaren might be just as well off without a rear wing for the Italian GP, it's that shallow.

Eh I'll pass judgemnt when I see others. Merc are supposedly not bringing the same rear wing we saw in Spa. So this new wing may just be a boxy, and shallow as this.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

Eh I'll pass judgemnt when I see others. Merc are supposedly not bringing the same rear wing we saw in Spa. So this new wing may just be a boxy, and shallow as this.

 

[PeterJB]

Haven't seen one that wide in a while.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Mercedes are effectively running the new 2016 engine having used all their dev tokens in one go. They're also running their 2016 fuel with the oil to follow... presumably not literally following like the Peugeot engines used to do.

Pirelli have made three revisions so far to the minimum tyre pressures at Monza-and-onwards, possibly after whinges from the drivers.

We were all concerned about the failures, but I don't believe that some of the changes proposed by Pirelli for this weekend are the right approach, even if they are doing it for understandable reasons.

Increasing the tyre pressure, as they are planning to do, reduces grip and increases wear, and no-one has any experience of running the tyres at those pressures.

The tyres have been great for the last couple of years and my personal view is we don't need to make that change going into the weekend.

I don't think we would have any problems if we ran the tyres in the same specs here as we did in Spa.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Yeah not as shallow but still very drag free in nature when you look at the top element. More drag free than the upside shallow bell shape one from Spa that if you scroll up was posted by @GTPorsche

 

[Pezzarinho17]

I saw in one of the live feeds that they have those Belgium spec "spoon" shaped wings available in Italy as well.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I saw in one of the live feeds that they have those Belgium spec "spoon" shaped wings available in Italy as well.

I only saw the tail end of the feed, did they say if they were evaluating the Italian wing to see if it would stay on for the race? Cause the car seemed to have wonderful balance and quick get up in the straight line. I don't think a change seems necessary but they know better than I.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

I didn't catch the whole thing either so I'm not sure. My guess would be that if the drivers reported the car as being unsettled with the Monza spec wing, they could use the Spa wings instead at a slight cost in drag. My second guess is that they may well see how far ahead they are in the speed traps and sacrifice some / all of that advantage in order to make the car easier to drive and easier on the tyres.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I didn't catch the whole thing either so I'm not sure. My guess would be that if the drivers reported the car as being unsettled with the Monza spec wing, they could use the Spa wings instead at a slight cost in drag. My second guess is that they may well see how far ahead they are in the speed traps and sacrifice some / all of that advantage in order to make the car easier to drive and easier on the tyres.

Makes sense due to the new Pirelli guide lines.

 

[GTPorsche]

Red Bull are now confirmed to not be using Renault engines starting next season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120696

 

[catamount39]

Explains Renault buying (I believe) a majority of the Lotus team.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Red Bull are now confirmed to not be using Renault engines starting next season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120696

Claimed confirmation of a rumour that's been around some time; IRBR have issued a note to Renault that their contract for 2016 is void through performance clauses. If that's the case then Renault's path to purchasing Lotus is contractually open for pre-2016 rather than pre-2017. Certainly Lotus didn't have the money to race this weekend and had to get a Bernie Bailout. Soon we'll see that

Explains Renault buying (I believe) a majority of the Lotus team.

this has happened, I think.

 

[DK]

Mercedes refuse to offer Red Bull their power units. (Autosport)

 

[catamount39]

Mercedes refuse to offer Red Bull their power units. (Autosport)

So that's pretty much a confirmation on Ferrari. Or (in a messed up wacko world)...Honda.

 

[GTPorsche]

I can understand why Mercedes would refuse that. Give Red Bull the best engine on the grid, with their ability to design a car, they'll be a threat to the factory team.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

So that's pretty much a confirmation on Ferrari. Or (in a messed up wacko world)...Honda.

Either that or some how RBR have found a manufacture that will build an engine for them...but that really makes little sense. And I doubt Ferrari would want to give a power unit to them as well after they see Mercedes refuse. I mean Ferrari have a b-team now, they have no need for RBR to run their engines. And Sauber will never really be a threat to them. So yeah...I have a feeling RBR is screwed.