Red Bull RB8 Renault

[Morteza]

[JMN]

Maybe the blown diffuser on this Red Bull is that much better than the field?

Maybe Newey once again, takes heat, then everyone realizes he choose the "best" path with the sidepod/exhaust solution

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.

The alternative explanation to the popularity of the bulge-style exhaust relative to the ramp is that the bulge-style exhaust is easier and consequently more cost-effective to implement, develop and fine-tune. It's entirely possible the ramp-style exhaust offers higher peak performance at the cost of being harder and more costly to develop. Disruptive innovations which eventually becomes dominant technologies are historically rarely the best technical solutions, but rather the most cost-effective ones. Sauber has amazing facilities but a limited budget. Red Bull and Newey are all about peak performance nomather the cost. Besides, alternative/radical technological solutions tend to get more media exposure. Given the insane cost-to-exposure rate Red Bull is enjoying from its F1 program, I'm sure Dietrich Mateschitz doesn't mind spending a little extra on alternative solutions.

[Sevach]

Sauber was back to ramp in Japan.

[aleks_ader]

Sorry my bad i think that is a Sauber thread! I will put it on right place

[siskue2005]

RBR, Lotus and williams have this bulge now
what is its use?

[Joie de vivre]

airflow maybe

[bhall]

I think it creates an area of low pressure (downforce) under the nose.

[munudeges]

What a surprise, Red Bull dominate a race and you reappear to soak up some glory?

What's there to say? They're doing it, others clearly aren't and haven't been. The hit rate of developments for other teams has been really quite poor.

Newey has usually been one to frown on developments to boost straight line performance. He has always considered that the job of the engine. However, with things the way they are now Red Bull have clearly through through what the implications are. It's not just about straight line performance but being able to qualify better where you can use DRS and then using your ability to qualify better to run the car more optimally without having to overtake anyone. Why other teams can't think like and why they haven't made hay while Red Bull have been trying to get all this right I don't know, but they're going to pay for it.

[Forza]

Korean GP - Thursday
RB8 gearbox and rear end

[PlatinumZealot]

RBR, Lotus and williams have this bulge now
what is its use?

It helps the middle section of the front wing. Notice that the teams with the bulge have moved the camera mounts, which were once being used to add DF, away from the front wing. This bulge substitutes that but does not impede the floor to the front splitter.

[Forza]

Korea - FP1

[amouzouris]

http://www.f1technical.net/images/devel ... l-nose.jpg
RBR, Lotus and williams have this bulge now
what is its use?

we have started a new thread for these 'pelican noses' as we are calling them

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13588

[Forza]

[hollus]

Korea - FP1

That will surely need to be adjusted to be race legal? The DRS flap "razors" are sticking above the end plate, so presumably out of the rear wing legality box? It also looks as if the angle of attack of the DRS flap is actually negative.

[shamikaze]

Above the rear-end plates, you could be right.

Regarding the negative angle of the DRS-flap:
Might be they use the lower AoA of the DRS flap to create a "more neutral profile" in order to push more air into their "DRS-Flap-Activated-dDRS-Air-Intake" (what's in a name in order to magnify the effect / efficiency of it.

Obviously just a wild idea, but it seems the DRS flap indeed is at a much lower AoA then I have seen before.