Christian Klien has Jaguar's new chassis in Shanghai, which is called R5b-06. Has anybody been able to spot any differences in Webber's R5 and Kliens R5b-06?
Apparently the weight distribution is improved.
And another thing, though I'm not so sure about this one, as I've only read it on one F1 page, but apparently the chassis is the 2005 model they were preparing but now can't use in 2005 because of the changed rules.
Anybody know anything more on this?
The R5b uses a revised carbon fibre lay up, it is not unusual that no visible differences are seen. Often at this time of year teams try developments for next year. Frequently systems or construction based, like wiring looms or carbon lay ups.
I wouldn’t doubt its appearance and the comment from Dave Pitchforth that the new engine and gearbox will be tried in testing soon are aimed at potential buyers and sponsors that the team isn’t in shut down mode, but are a viable going concern.
The scrapping of the original R6 monocoque design is a sign that the new rules will create different looking cars, mainly dictated by the potential raised front wing rule. The monocoque design is one the major parts whose design is shaped by the broad aerodynamic philosophy of the new car. As this philosophy has yet to harden, the design has been scrapped (as with most teams) and a hybrid 2004 monocoque will be run until the definitive 2005 design is ready.
Location: Covilhã, Portugal (and sometimes in Évora)
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A new monocoque takes around 10 days to make. The with the cars arriving at China on Tuesday it means they were shipped on Monday morning or Sunday....this means that the car assembly started on probably Tuesday or Wednesday (if not earlier)....so we're on the 15th!
Building the monocoque with the new carbon fibre layout started on the 5th of September....a long time before Ford made the announcement. If the car still made a shake-down test the timescale goes back around a whole week before the time I mentioned the car as ready. So....the 8th...this means the monocoque might have been started still in August!
In any case not running next year doesn't mean they shouldn't do their best....they going to be sold so they want to get the best results possible to increase their value.