Red Bull RB8 Renault

[raymondu999]

I wonder if that suspension arm helps the direction of the flow to be consistent - rather than varying as the air pushes it down

[motobaleno]

the article basically says that they use the suspension arm to deflect the exhaust gas towards the lower wing or diffuser

[raymondu999]

How do they deflect it all the way down with one suspension arm?!

[Gridlock]

Cleverly?

[motobaleno]

How do they deflect it all the way down with one suspension arm?!

I guess that the deflection effect could be no more than partial but maybe enough to improve performance...

[bhall]

But I can see it all the way along the main plane, and it wouldn't reflect at that point, surely?

Look a little bit closer, and I think you'll see a break in the middle of the line. Once you see that, it becomes a bit more apparent that you're just seeing the reflection of the drive shafts.


I threw this out earlier in the thread. In light of that article, I'll throw it out again to sample some more opinions.

10.3.4 Non‐structural parts of suspension members are considered bodywork.

So, if the article is right about the RB8 suspension directing exhaust, does that make its heat shield moveable aero?

[Robbobnob]

How do they deflect it all the way down with one suspension arm?!

I guess that the deflection effect could be no more than partial but maybe enough to improve performance...

That suspension arm wont be deflecting downwards but instead pulling the airflow up



like this



Regarding if its bonded to the suspension arm, i think you'll find if it is, it would be hard to prove it isnt structural

[raymondu999]

Yes I can definitely see how it would pull upwards, but not downwards..

[hardingfv32]

Why no sign of heat shielding? Is flat black the best for heat shielding?

Brian

[Robbobnob]

i think you are onto something Ray,

I think that the suspension arm is there to ensure that at speed (200kph+) the exhaust ploom is still spreading out over the beam wing evenly instead of being a concentrated jet and changing the cars aero balance.

i would have thought a black material would encourage heat absorption

[bhall]

Regarding if its bonded to the suspension arm, i think you'll find if it is, it would be hard to prove it isnt structural

It looks like a hose clamp is currently holding it in place.

[Robbobnob]

no trace of that hose clamp here

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... e_2012.jpg

[aral]

no trace of that hose clamp here

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... e_2012.jpg

If you lighten the picture, you can see a band around the suspension arm, but it does not take the expected position of a hose clamp. It could well be some temperature sensing wire.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

3 of them in this picture. Right click>view image. This is from 3rd day of testing.





Day 2


Day 1

[bonjon1979]

But I can see it all the way along the main plane, and it wouldn't reflect at that point, surely?

Look a little bit closer, and I think you'll see a break in the middle of the line. Once you see that, it becomes a bit more apparent that you're just seeing the reflection of the drive shafts.


I threw this out earlier in the thread. In light of that article, I'll throw it out again to sample some more opinions.

10.3.4 Non‐structural parts of suspension members are considered bodywork.

So, if the article is right about the RB8 suspension directing exhaust, does that make its heat shield moveable aero?

I think you're on to something here. Heat resistant material cladding the suspension is non-structural. Also, does it not mean that the suspension arm contravenes the rules because it is bodywork in the disallowed cone behind the exhaust?