Red Bull RB8 Renault

[bhall]

[UGH. Never mind.]

[Nickel]

[...] but crazy duct work? Look at the nose cone unmounted, it has no slot, the slot is in the bulkhead only. So maybe just gives better flow over the bulkhead by sort of making the transition step "disappear"?

The F-duct wasn't crazy?

A gentle air dam(n) would work just as well to eliminate the effects of that step.

No, you're right, the f-duct wasn't crazy. From my understanding though, a wide, thin duct will not maintain good air velocity/pressure?

Also, I disagree that an air dam would work just as well, as you will get spillage. This solution allows them to place the driver cooling duct in a location where it serves a dual purpose as opposed to a single purpose. It removes the turbulent air, accomplishing what the air dam would, while negating spillage of air into areas carefully designed for clean (or clean as possible) airflow.

I am of the opinion that this is enough to merit implementing this solution, without the need for secret ducts to unspecified locations. This does not mean said ducts do not exist though...

[bhall]

I think the fences along the side of the "letterbox" would handle spillage. And it really wouldn't require that much air flow through the "letterbox" to be effective for the purposes of an air dam(n), such is the nature of the difference in pressure under the nose vs over the nose.

I could be wrong - and it wouldn't be the first time - but if Sauber can make a similar duct work, I think Red Bull can, too.

That said, when I proposed the idea in February, there were no photos available of the inner workings of the bulkhead, nor did the "letterbox" have wire grating. Those do tend to poke holes in my suggestion.

[LoudHoward]

Car doesn't seem that good, maybe 4th best, though this track hides it's engine weakness, so maybe worse, though Webber didn't have KERS and only did a single run. Ragh, who knows.

[GrizzleBoy]

KERS issues?

I doubt it tbh, his cars performance is in line with his team mates.

If he's getting ahead of Vettel in Q3 with no KERS, then Vettel doesn't know how to drive the RB8.

[LoudHoward]

Vettel admitted to an messy lap.

[prince]

I remember when an updated RB8 was revealed on the last day of Barcelona test, RB fans were screaming that WDC and WCC are in pocket. I told at that time that if it is for looks, then take it. Now, forget about WDC and WCC, it appears that RB is just 4th fastest team.

Where are those GENIUS illustrations that people were drawing of exhaust behaviour. Does it mean, all those MASTERS and TALENTS on these forum have been completely bluffed by RB? Good luck guys for the rest of season and keep those illustrations continuing. Nice art work, even if they are not relevant with practical performance. =D>

Now that everyone has pulled down their pants, Vettel could now see who has got what.

[PhillipM]

KERS issues?

I doubt it tbh, his cars performance is in line with his team mates.

If he's getting ahead of Vettel in Q3 with no KERS, then Vettel doesn't know how to drive the RB8.

Webber is probably going to give a much stronger showing with the reduced EBD effect this year.
It's going to be interesting to see if RB can keep up with the development race after rushing that new package through at the last test? I wouldn't want to be trying to out-develop Mclaren from the back foot, do we thing the bridge will disappear to get more flow around the sides of the pods again?

Prince, the drawing are as relevant now as they were then, just because the car isn't the top dog does than mean we have to stop dicussing the technical aspects?
How about going trolling in the race thread rather than the TECHNICAL discussion one?

[GrizzleBoy]

As much as I'd like to see some new faces on pole/podium, remember that this is only qualifying and we haven't even raced yet.

Race pace and tyre management could easily see Red Bull taking top podiums tomorrow.

Let's wait for them to be beaten before we celebrate their defeat!

[raymondu999]

I'm no expert - so I'd like some expert opinions from people who understand aero. While there is still air that is attached to the sidepod and goes around to the back of the car through the bridge - would it not have been a bit better still with the old shrinkwrap-style packaging?

It seems to me now that Red Bull were betting on taking one step back (with the "fatter" packaging that the B-spec has) and two steps forward through some exhaust sorcery; and this was a gamble that didn't pay off. Would this be a fair assessment?

[marcush.]

clerly RB is holding on to the new concept as there is a benefit to it .If the old package was quicker you would see it on the car in Melbourne methinks.Or do you think Newey is stubborn ?

[raymondu999]

I think perhaps that it's possible that Newey felt this was quicker - just that they needed more testing time. Which if they had - they could've found out it was slower.

A large part of their winning formula for the past few years has been their supertight rear end - and this sort of goes against that - and that is why I'm asking.

I'm not saying this is the case - I'm saying that this is a potential what-if that could be explored.

[CHT]

clerly RB is holding on to the new concept as there is a benefit to it .If the old package was quicker you would see it on the car in Melbourne methinks.Or do you think Newey is stubborn ?

I would really like to see how the race turn out tomorrow. With DRS, having the quicker car on sat might not necessary mean you will win on Sunday.

[capriking]

Did anyone heard similar blowing sound from RB8 that we heard in winter testing?

I am just wondering if RB were infact using the loophole, which FIA clamped down and now they are not using it. Hence, it has affected RB performance? The rear didn't seemed so planted as it looked in testing and it was the observation that SKY analysts were telling.

Thoughts?

[raymondu999]

clerly RB is holding on to the new concept as there is a benefit to it .If the old package was quicker you would see it on the car in Melbourne methinks.Or do you think Newey is stubborn ?

I would really like to see how the race turn out tomorrow. With DRS, having the quicker car on sat might not necessary mean you will win on Sunday.

Looking at the speedtraps - difficult though. The Red Bull is 14kph down anyways. Even if the McLarens would lose 20kph of speed due to non-DRS; which is a bit rich - the Red Bulls might just get to even Stevens with the McLarens - and would have to divebomb in the braking zone.