Renault R26 Breaks Cover!

[scarbs]

Yes and very similar strucutres sit beneath the skin on the more recent cars too.

[manchild]

Why would they need to attach sidebars in new desing when the structure of of sidepod inlet is closed (rounded) and therefore much stiffer than bars conneted on one of their ends to chassis? I mean, if the bars were there like on older cars than why would new sidepod inlets be as much integral part of the chassis as it is roll bar structure/airbox inlet?

[johny]

new nose for r26

[m3_lover]

The back wing looks less pronouced as it did when it debuted, maybe a new wing?

[manchild]

Renault switched to cooling air intake at the begining ot the nose insead of one on the top of the chassis they had before. Just an observation.

[vyselegend]

The camber angle of the front tires seems quite pronounced, especially on the pic posted by johny (or maybe just an impression). Is it a classic set up for barcelona, or could it be linked with a problem with the car's behavior? (or maybe it's a set up that fit to the intermediate tires...). can someone enlighten me?

[manchild]

[Scuderia_Russ]

Sweet!

[ginsu]

Blown engine?

I guess there's no doubt about it being an outlet back there. Possibly helping to drive the diffuser?



Nice detail on the rear wing endplate.

[manchild]

On first pic car is being pulled in the garage after running (used tyres) and since it was cold and I guess that this "smoke" is acualy the water condesated during runs evaporating trough the outlet above the diffuser since.

This is the pic of same event from different angle



As it can be seen there is no mechanic with fire extinguisher behind or near the car.


Second pic show car with fresh tyres mounted on, during pit stop practice.

Blown engine usualy blows water or oil (or both) in cylinder(s) and trough the exhaust pipe or directly trought the hole on block (if connecting rod breaks and makes hole on engine block).

[ginsu]

Yes, I didn't think it was a blown engine, but I also didn't think it could be steam, so I really wasn't sure. I am suprised that it vents back there, and there must be an aerodynamic reason for it.

Personally, I can see the diffuser air being pulled out by the hot air exhausting right above it, but I'm not sure if it's there because of that reason, or just because the hot air vents better in the low pressure region out the back. That is, without disturbing the rear wing.

[Spencifer_Murphy]

Any body else notice that the R26 is sportiong a wider nose? Sorry if it's been mentioned b4...I have been away for a few days.

[johny]

what happens to camera casing?

[manchild]

Could be some thermal cam recording situation at the rear end of the car.
Perhaps a mic pointed backwards to pick engine sound?

[DaveKillens]

Any body else notice that the R26 is sportiong a wider nose? Sorry if it's been mentioned b4...I have been away for a few days.

Yes, I noticed that too, a nose much wider than the previous one which was more about penetraton than managing airflow over it. I compared noses from the previous year's car, and it appears that since the lines are relatively straight from nose to sidepods, the entire front chassis has been widened a bit. If so, that's pretty substantial. The distance between front upper arms may be further apart, the pushrods, as well as the driver's footwells.
The smoke coming from the rear? It appears to be a normal byproduct of coming to a stop. Those cars run very hot, and as soon as the airflow stops, they start to cook. I don't know the history of that car, but since the tires appear almost unblemished it is reasonable to assume the car went out for just one, two laps. If that happened, any oil residue or stuff that usually burns off after a few laps didn't have the chance, and are the source of the smoke.