scarbs wrote:That’s a valid argument. The sidepod’s will create lift and adding VGs will create even more lift locally over the sidepod. Of course that’s already the case today and has been for years. However the resulting effect at the diffusers trailing edge should create more downforce, which offsets the lift created above the sidepod. This is why Lotus has had sidepod shoulder VGs even when they didn’t have a coanda exhaust set up, the effect was aimed at the diffusers TE, not the exhaust.
It’s a trade off, globally you have more load from the car.
I guess it will really depend on how much lift is created vs how much extra downforce you get out of the diffuser vs the extra drag penalty from shaping the sidepods like that and having the vortex generators. Remember creating vortices adds on a lot of drag. If a team can get away with using a smaller vortex or not using one all together the you can cut a lot of drag from the whole system. To add to that by not using any VG's it keeps the airflow laminar. Laminar airflow is easier to model and work with than vortices. Laminar airflow is also more useful further downstream than unstable air. You can always add in a vortex further back if need be to laminar airflow however if you already have a vortex for a purpose and it doesn't fit some aero further down the car then you are stuck with potentially unstable air.
I wouldn't be surprised to see sidepod designs more biased towards moving air around the sidepods rather than over them as they are now. If this comes to pass then trying to seal the edge of the floor with that extra air amass coming around the the sidepods will be even more crucial. Especially with the fact that the front wing is narrower so therefore cannot have the same affect as before when it comes to pushing airflow around the front tyre.