F1 2019 Pre-Season Testing Thread

[mani517]

https://twitter.com/Vetteleclerc/status ... 2639004673

Not an aero expert, but, common sense suggests the cars running aggressive rake and heavy undercut tend to produce decent mid section down force (around the side-pod area). This might let them get away with shedding some front wing down-force without unsettling the car drastically.

One could speculate that Mercedes, due to it long wheelbase and more flat flow of the floor surface area, relies on balancing the down-force more evenly across the whole car. In other words, shedding front-end down-force might produce more lift in W10 than it would on SF90.

** purely based on my over-simplified/non-technical understanding (or interpretation)

*** I don't mean to say Merc's solution is wrong or Ferrari's solution is better, that remains to be seen. I'm just stating why a solution that works on one car may not work on another.

[syntaxerror147]

Now this is some BS.

https://twitter.com/Vetteleclerc/status ... 5087333376

Ahh yes, the good old body language

Body language doesn't lie. The question is wether he is the right one to interpret body language correctly

[mantikos]

Not really - high rake typically equals more d/f at the diffuser as there is more expansion - unintended side effect is ground effects on lower front wing

[mani517]

Agreed, the primary purpose of the rake is to improve diffuser performance. But, rake (angled floor) with high side-pod inlets should increase the airflow around the side-pod and indirectly contribute to a decent mid-section down-force setup - which probably wasn't key until now (as in, until the teams had to compromise front-end down-force for a better out-wash)

[CriXus]

A low rake floor means that the point of pressure (where the downforce acts from) is far more rearward than forward. The strongest low pressure region would be right in front of the diffuser and relatively weaker at the forward edge of the floor.

By raking the car, you get a number of benefits. Firstly, the flat floor now creates an expansion zone of itself, shifting the point of pressure forward. This creates a more balanced car, with good front to rear downforce and stability.

[dans79]

Body language doesn't lie. The question is wether he is the right one to interpret body language correctly

For all he knows, the Mechanics could have been discussing what's on the dinner menu.

[RonDennis]

According to the body language of Paddy Lowe Williams will beat Ferrari.

[JPBD1990]

Ferrari long run pace seems relatively poor, particularly with tyre deg (which seems like a hard thing to disguise).

It goes without saying obviously, but those already saying Ferrari will be champs... not so sure.

[Phil]

I think body language is a better indication than anything at the moment. Different front wing philosophies could mean one or the other got it wrong - and if that is the case, very difficult to change, as the concept follows the car all the was to the rear.

Mercedes have gone well with the low rake concept. It’s well possible Ferrrari’s concept wouldnt work well, unless they went the high rake route too. It’s going to be interesting to see if Mercedes did miss a beat or underestinate this solution...

[dans79]

Ferrari long run pace seems relatively poor, particularly with tyre deg (which seems like a hard thing to disguise).

It goes without saying obviously, but those already saying Ferrari will be champs... not so sure.

Honestly, the media seem to be talking it up more than the average fan. It's pretty sad how they will grasp as straws just to generate a few more clicks,

[Bill_Kar]

What are some possible solutions if Ferrari-Sauber do have to give away too much downforce? How is it possible to compensate for tyre deg and pace in long runs?

[zibby43]

https://www.autobild.de/artikel/formel- ... 29053.html

According to this article, the Red Bull camp estimates that, over a single lap, Merc is currently down 0.5 sec/lap to Ferrari for 2 reasons: 1) Ferrari's FW design and 2) the Ferrari's ability to squat its rear end down on the straights to lower drag.

Article also raves about how stable the Ferrari is under late braking and the driveability of the PU/powertrain.

Don't know how reliable Autobild is.

On the other hand, we have other paddock gossip indicating that Ferrari's looking a bit off when it comes to tire management and pace over a longer stint.

What in the world is going on lol.

[Jolle]

I think body language is a better indication than anything at the moment. Different front wing philosophies could mean one or the other got it wrong - and if that is the case, very difficult to change, as the concept follows the car all the was to the rear.

Mercedes have gone well with the low rake concept. It’s well possible Ferrrari’s concept wouldnt work well, unless they went the high rake route too. It’s going to be interesting to see if Mercedes did miss a beat or underestinate this solution...

Over the past few seasons Ferrari and Mercedes already had quite a different philosophy at the front. Where Mercedes has done everything to make a big gap over the neutral section of the wing, under the wishbones to the side of the car, by the undercut over the diffuser (with their narrow nose, high wishbones or the combined lower one and their "high waist" sidepods) Ferrari has blocked this gap more or less, first with the pull rods at the front end, lower wishbones, thumb nose (with before a snorkel) and their sloping side pods. Their "thing' looks more to get the air much higher and then drag it down over the pods back at the floor. And don't forget Ferrari was running the blown wheel nuts last year and Mercedes wasn't.

If I had to put money down. it would be on Mercedes. Their team nailed every regulation change in the last decade.

[dans79]

What in the world is going on lol.

People looking for clicks, at any cost!

[Stahlkocher]

What are some possible solutions if Ferrari-Sauber do have to give away too much downforce? How is it possible to compensate for tyre deg and pace in long runs?

Drive slower. For that you need to be in front... The lower drag design should be faster on the straights making it hard to overtake. This would make it possible to get away with it - if you can conserve the rear tires enough so that you do not lose out in acceleration. If a lower downforce/less drag car degrades the rear tires too much it is toast.

On the other hand following other cars closely might be a nightmare due to way too low grip. Either blue flag distances get incresed even more or backmarkers might ruin your day.


But honestly it is way too early to make any assumptions.