Lotus E21 Renault

[Maxion]

Maybe they're running soft heave, that's why the rear seems closer to the ground at speed and there are a lot of sparks...

I guess that'd make sense, as more squatting at the rear should change the AoA of the rear wing slightly which should mean it produces less drag, right?

[toolate]

Has anybody noticed how frequently sparks were flying from the underside of Kimi's lotus during the race? I assume that means it was running lower and that however this was achieved, this would have assisted with downforce? (do correct me if wrong!).

[bucker]

One question. Lotus had lowest degradation today, but temperatures were low. Last year Lotus was great in high temperatures, so can we say that Lotus will be even better compared to the others with tyre degradation this year, when temperatures will rise?

[Huntresa]

Ted on his notebook said Grosjean got all the new bits on Saturday and only had 2 dry laps to setup them up with, compared to Kimi having them all Friday long.

Bad shipments or wat?

[Donuts]

One question. Lotus had lowest degradation today, but temperatures were low. Last year Lotus was great in high temperatures, so can we say that Lotus will be even better compared to the others with tyre degradation this year, when temperatures will rise?

Or maybe they just improved on the ability to get the tyres into their operating window in cold conditions. They'll probably be just as good in warm condition as last year, then there is the question if they have improved more than the other teams? Understanding the tyres will only give an advantage for one or more races, then the other also figure it out...

What is interesting is that Christian Horner(looked like someone had pulled an "atomic wedgie" on him) complained about cold condition, but what about qualifying? So they are baffeled...

[Huntresa]

One question. Lotus had lowest degradation today, but temperatures were low. Last year Lotus was great in high temperatures, so can we say that Lotus will be even better compared to the others with tyre degradation this year, when temperatures will rise?

Or maybe they just improved on the ability to get the tyres into their operating window in cold conditions. They'll probably be just as good in warm condition as last year, then there is the question if they have improved more than the other teams? Understanding the tyres will only give an advantage for one or more races, then the other also figure it out...

What is interesting is that Christian Horner(looked like someone had pulled an "atomic wedgie" on him) complained about cold condition, but what about qualifying? So they are baffeled...

Why would you think they figure out the tyres in 2 races? Last year it took 6 or 7.

[Neno]

Ted on his notebook said Grosjean got all the new bits on Saturday and only had 2 dry laps to setup them up with, compared to Kimi having them all Friday long.

Bad shipments or wat?

they both tested new parts, they divided car devolopment. kimi tested new floor and sidepods updates i think, and grosjean tested new front and rear wing. problem is kimi during that time maked better setup then grosjean, which worked very well after he get later same parts who grosjean tested, but same didnt work for grosjean when he get parts who's kimi tested. you can say kimi did better job then grosjean overall.

lotus this year concentrated to test new parts bits by bits, to see what is working what not. with this kind of program they can make better car progress, but it usually takes longer to evaluate what kind of progress they made.

[Donuts]

One question. Lotus had lowest degradation today, but temperatures were low. Last year Lotus was great in high temperatures, so can we say that Lotus will be even better compared to the others with tyre degradation this year, when temperatures will rise?

Or maybe they just improved on the ability to get the tyres into their operating window in cold conditions. They'll probably be just as good in warm condition as last year, then there is the question if they have improved more than the other teams? Understanding the tyres will only give an advantage for one or more races, then the other also figure it out...

What is interesting is that Christian Horner(looked like someone had pulled an "atomic wedgie" on him) complained about cold condition, but what about qualifying? So they are baffeled...

Why would you think they figure out the tyres in 2 races? Last year it took 6 or 7.

There´s another question as well. Have they understood the tyres? Maybe they just had the right setup for these condition, let's wait and see.

[Huntresa]

Well since Kimi said the 2 stopper was their Plan A or first strat i assume they know the tyres.

[Ral]

On the prictures below you can see how front wing's upper flap is adjusted:

http://i.imgur.com/qK6Htw8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1wlwEP4.jpg

Was that used in the race? And if so, whose car on?

Because if that was on Kimi's car, I would pay whatever he wants to the guy who made those adjustments with a cutter and some bolts, to come work for my team

[Rhodium]

hello all.

I would like to raise a question.

it is clear that this season, Lotus has designed his car by integrating the "DDRS" even in the design of their car. (ears on the air box, specific monkey seat)

However, this system is not yet implemented on the car.

some team have implemented a similar system much faster (red bull, sauber etc ...)

In your opinion, why Lotus was slow to put their system in place?
since last year, they multiply testing this system without getting a validation.

we can imagine that this complex system has other specifications than just DDRS?
one additional system, which would complicate its implementation?

what secret they hide behind this system?

[stefan_]

Lotus, Red Bull, Sauber and Mercedes have all implemented their DRD system this year in the sense that they fitted it on the car and used it a little bit in testing (the thing that on some cars it is a part of the initial design and on others they bolt on some pieces - as Sauber does with the ears - is another story).

It has been discussed about what this system does or what it should do, but the devil is in trying to make it work when you want it and how you want it. That is why it's taking so much time, because there are a lot of variables (different tracks, speeds reached, temperatures etc.) and you have to nail it with almost everything to work at its full potential.

I think Lotus are actually ahead of everyone in developing this system and it takes so much time because fine tuning it to work as it should it is a tricky thing to do.

[Rhodium]

So you do not believe has the possibility that their system confers an aditional advantage over "normal" DDRS?

I find that this system is not really economical.
it is very long for develloper, and certainly very expensive.

someone has already been able to quantify the gain brought by this system?

is it reasonable to continue its developement?

[dren]

Once the teams sort out these new tires, then we will see them running the DRS.

[SRK]

some team have implemented a similar system much faster (red bull, sauber etc ...)

What do you mean by "implemented"? Their systems like Lotus DDR, don't come out of the test phase.