Jackles-UK wrote:
I think the fact that every other team has cut their losses with their original solution and switched to the McLaren style exits (including Sauber who kind of pioneered the ramp style solution that RBR has persisted with) points to this not being the case. The 3 or 4 races they struggled whilst desperately trying to get their tunnel to work earlier in the season (which wouldn't have been a problem with other solutions) also can't be forgotten. You can't help but wonder what state the title race would be in if they had gotten around that issue quicker!
That being said, not spending all that time focused on extracting what little extra exhaust gains can be made and spending time developing other avenues does seem to be finally paying dividends when it really matters.
I wouldn't discount the possibility that the early runs did actually work as expected, and that they were leaving the ace up in sleeve for this moment - 6 races in 7 weekends, end of the season, the time when it really matters, others may simply have no time to copy, implement, test and tweak it