Team Lotus T128 Renault

[feynman]

They were never, as a matter of contract, going to receive the current box, it was always gonna be at least one version-old. (This was mentioned last year when the deal was announced).

I guess, maybe, if you had to choose between one designed for a single diffuser, and one designed for a double, you'd now take the single I suppose ... assuming all the internals remained consistent. Or maybe not, depends on what else changed.

Either way, whatever precise specification, I don't think the photo helps much, I doubt Red Bull Technology officially designate their gearboxes with silver magic-marker, It's gonna have a very specific assembly number, I think it is just more likely that in the particular photo, Lotus were just using Red Bull gearbox number 5 from their supply.

[FW17]

It makes no sense for Red Bull Technologies to be producing 2 different spec gear boxes, 2011 spec for RBR team and 2009 for Team Lotus.

[H. Zedozil]

It makes no sense for Red Bull Technologies to be producing 2 different spec gear boxes, 2011 spec for RBR team and 2009 for Team Lotus.

Analysis: Lotus to use bespoke Red Bull gearbox and hydraulics from 2011
http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2010/10/0 ... from-2011/ (Scarbs)

[feynman]

It makes no sense for Red Bull Technologies to be producing 2 different spec gear boxes, 2011 spec for RBR team and 2009 for Team Lotus.

Why? It actually makes no sense to give your customers the best stuff, you ideally always want them at least a version or two behind you.

Leaving aside whatver is actually in the back of the Lotus right now ... just in general, customers always get offcuts, B-spec and wobbly looking Friday afternoon/Monday morning units.
You'll always try to keep the latest gear exclusively for yourself, and have its expensive development subsidised by selling your cast-offs.

[FW17]

It makes no sense for Red Bull Technologies to be producing 2 different spec gear boxes, 2011 spec for RBR team and 2009 for Team Lotus.

Why? It actually makes no sense to give your customers the best stuff, you ideally always want them at least a version or two behind you.

Leaving aside whatver is actually in the back of the Lotus right now ... just in general, customers always get offcuts, B-spec and wobbly looking Friday afternoon/Monday morning units.
You'll always try to keep the latest gear exclusively for yourself, and have its expensive development subsidised by selling your cast-offs.

B-spec OK, but why would RBT have a inventory of 2009 gearboxes laying around?

[Giblet]

RBT don't need them to be lying around. They are a full manufacturing facility that owns the plans, IP, and programs to run the CNC and what have you.

They can make a 2009 gearbox whenever they want to.

[747heavy]

[nacho]

Still no rear shots, anyone seen anywhere.

[wrcsti]

Didnt FOTA ban that intake?

[Giblet]

Didnt FOTA ban that intake?

Read back in the thread it has been gone over thrice, it meets the minimum measurements required. The blade wasn't banned, but Mercedes version would not be legal this year.

[ESPImperium]

Didnt FOTA ban that intake?

Read back in the thread it has been gone over thrice, it meets the minimum measurements required. The blade wasn't banned, but Mercedes version would not be legal this year.

As long as the central section relative to the reference plane is larger than what the regulations say, its legal, and without taking a pair of callipers to the T128, it looks as if it is totally legal to me. Next year i believe the overhead crash structure (Roll Hoop) will be tested as part of the homologation of the chassis same as the floor crash structure (T-Tray Bib Stay, Snow Plough) will also be homologated as well as the FIA would like to see those areas homologated to avoid flexi floor controversy and any accidents that could be fatal like what Mark Webber has at Valencia.

[nacho]

More pictures:




There you can see the suspension well.

I just noticed that at least Williams and Team Lotus don't only have a high nose but they have raised the whole "canoe" where the legas are very very high.

[bosanac1]

lot of front wing flex

[RedTzar]

Very interesting to see that front wing flexing, I assume it will pass the FIA tests. Maybe we will be seeing a T128 fighting higher up than expected... unless the whole grid has worked it out

[RAF]

really like the new livery. The traditional Renault stripes at the back break up the green brilliantly. Much better than the Messy gold/black Group effort.