tuj wrote:The Ferrari engine is the most compact laterally and uses an air-water-air intercooler, therefore it can run significantly smaller sidepods, thus reducing drag. Also, don't forget that top speed is often also an indicator of a lack of down-force in F1.
Where did you get this idea from?
And why would the sidepods be smaller if it still would require the same surface area for air to heat exchanger transfer?
air to water to air doesn't make any difference on an open wheeler like an F1 car. It only makes sense on cars that have sizable interior spaces. Almost every area on an F1 car is exposed to the air, and there are no interior spaces, as everything is tightly packaged.
You wont find any space to place that air to water intercooler. And then you still have another intercooler to locate and a water pump.