Renault R30

[Blackout]

No. The scale is just too small...

I think an F-duct would help the R30 a lot.

If we look at how this car evolved since the beginning of the season, we can see that Renault has did everything to increase the amount of downforce rearward. For that purpose and until now, the R30 received a new diffuser, bigger winglets on the rear tires, a monkey seat above the beam wing, and different holes for the diffuser under the floor... but all the other upgrades only aimed to improve the airflow toward the rear of the car; we saw the endpaltes evolving and getting more and more complex, a new splitter and new deflectors and bargeboards.
All that means an F-duct can compensate the lack of downforce rearward and make the rear tires (witch surely generate all the grip) work better without a loss on top speed...

[PlatinumZealot]

My gut tells me the R30 has a huge amount of downforce right now. I'm just waiting till Turkey...

[Carlo's]

I'm not so sure. In Monaco their very good suspension and traction helped them to achieve good result, R30 also has good balance, but they are still lacking of downforce. They have improved much from the start of the season, however it will be tough battle with Mercedes in Turkey. I'm hoping that f-duct and new rear suspension will help in overall performance. Curious what they did in rear of the car. Maybe it works together with f-duct or something. If not, then probably they push to improve airflow management around the rear of the car.

[marcush.]

to me Renault is obvously working on all aero surfaces not only rear.The effects of the difusser is to my understanding not to produce downforce in itself (as a wing)but to enhance flow under the car so the effect should appear further forward?

[Metal]

My gut tells me the R30 has a huge amount of downforce right now. I'm just waiting till Turkey...

And who your guy is??

We saw in Spain that R30 is at the level of Mercedes in terms of downforce(we saw that in quali) and i haven't heard of any big upgrades in Monaco so that's where they still are. Maybe the turkish upgrade can give them a small boost, but i dont think it will be enough to get Ferrari(3rd best car).

I dont believe R30 has a huge amount of downforce now, there are 3 cars that have more of that.

[Blackout]

I agree, Renault is still a little bit far from Ferrari and Mclaren; maybe 0.4 s behind... but in Barcelona, Kubica was almost as fast as Schumacher despite a broken front wing and a lot of understeer.

But Renault progresses; J.Allison said that they gained 0.750 s since Sakhir and RF1PP says they gained 1 s since winter testing. That means 0.250 thanks to the new package brought in Bahrein and an average of 0.150 s par race after that.
That's much better than in 2008.

[Blackout]

to me Renault is obvously working on all aero surfaces not only rear.

That's what I said.

The last updates (thanks to ScrabsF1 for the drawing) clearly aiming to enhance the quality and the quantity of air flow around and under the car..:

[Fil]

The team has a refreshing air of confidence and pride going at the moment.
I don't know which of the off-season changes have led to this.. most probably a culmination of all of them, but its great to see.

2010 does lead to a huge question for their future though, and it lays squarely on the shoulders of their new-found son Kubica.

If you were in his position, what would you do..?


a) remain at Renault and have the team built around you and your every word..

or

b) move to Ferrari as an initial #2 to race alongside your 'kumpel' Fernando..

[Blackout]

I don't know which of the off-season changes have led to this.. most probably a culmination of all of them

yes
-enough resources thanks to Genii
-an updated and reasonably good windtunnel
-CFD operational

Renault missed all of that since 2007
And many people said the R30 was slow in winter testing... that's completely false.

b) move to Ferrari as an initial #2 to race alongside your 'kumpel' Fernando..

suicidal

[marcush.]

to me the renault is the surprise of the season .what looked like an update of a mediocre 2009 car is morphing at all corners into spectacular original detailing
we were used to this sort of development pace a few years back when Renault had
this air of improving the car constamtly every race new parts...

very nice..

[madly]

b) move to Ferrari as an initial #2 to race alongside your 'kumpel' Fernando..

suicidal

I don't think it would be a suicide. Roberto lives few years in Italy, speaks Italian, knows that people. He was the most wanted driver after Alonso for tiffosi last year. I doubt he would be #2 for long at Ferrari. Probably that duo could be "2x #1".

A year ago I would be happy if Kubica could be a Ferrari driver. But Renault is a really surprise how they manage, their ambitions are high, they do a really hard work and offer team build around him. My heart says "stay at RF1" . But it's Kubicas decision.

[PlatinumZealot]

I wonder if the Renault can be on par with the ferraris and Mclarens by the end of the season? Maybe that will give Kubica more reason to stay. Come to think of it maybe that is what the team is working at! Kubica is definitely one of those drivers you want to trap for as long as possible!

[Fil]

b) move to Ferrari as an initial #2 to race alongside your 'kumpel' Fernando..

suicidal

is it?

is moving to Ferrari any more risky than staying at Renault?

Ferrari is more likely to offer a race-winning car, but you have to contend with a potentially volatile teammate if (read: when) you start beating him.

Renault is less likely to offer a race-winning car, but the team is built around and for you.

I wonder if the Renault can be on par with the ferraris and Mclarens by the end of the season? Maybe that will give Kubica more reason to stay. Come to think of it maybe that is what the team is working at! Kubica is definitely one of those drivers you want to trap for as long as possible!

I think his Renault option expires mid-year, although its probably in his interests to let that pass by, like you said, to decide at season end. Renault would surely wait for his decision.

[piast9]

I think that so far in most cases two #1 drivers in one team led to the unhealthy rivalry rather than fruitful cooperation.

[marcush.]

to me renaults R30 in combnation with Kubica almost looks like the start of the third cycle of Bennettons /Renaults rise to the front after Schumacher and Alonso
the team seems to excell under a demanding young driver it seems