axle wrote:Newey originally picked the Renault as it had a low thermal output and needed less cooling. So I don't buy that the Merc needs less cooling capacity.
That is true, however ... cast your mind back.
When the decision was made by Red Bull:
* the Renault V8 was coming off the back of a championship winning season with no restrictions on engine development
* it had a low level of heat discharge compared to its nearest rival (at that time the Ferrari V8)
* the 2006 Merc V8 was a bit of a hound
An intentsive winter programme, the freeze on development and the restriction to 19,000 rpm all helped the Merc in relation to the Renault and the Ferrari and at the mandated lower RPM it became significantly more efficent for the heat produced than the Renault or the Ferrari.