A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
Not sure what they are, other then covers (the real question I guess is - why?)
Simple, to stop the other teams from getting a good look at their config - the teams all used to do it even on race days until the FIA put a stop to it. Off season testing isn't covered tho.
What confuses me is why go through the hassle if even we - from back home can find the photos? Or is it purely to try and stop the other teams from knowing on the day, to kind of not show them the starting point of their testing? Even so, I still think it should be easy to find out...
But yeah, I remember in the old days, engine covers and things like that, sometimes intentionally place on the wrong component to keep people's eyes off the ball.
Very simple design at first glance, but lots of interesting details. It's not the nicest-looking car due to it's high nose, but it certainly does look quite good in profile and it certainly looks to be "aerodynamically slippery". In terms of airflow, balance/stability, and downforce the design is very purposeful and focused, making it a "simple-looking" design.
The FW31 and MP4-24 both seem to use somewhat higher noses, but the TF109 appears to make full use of the advantages of a high nose. The serrated vanes mounted under the nose are very clever, and I expect Toyota to have quite a few developments under the nose. It seems as if the floor is used to maximum effect for downforce, starting from the front section and moving to the rear where the airflow goes through the rear suspension members. The front wing is a very simple design, and no doubt Toyota will have a more developed front wing for Australia.
Interestingly shaped exhaust/cooling outlets that are nicely integrated. The hump in front of the rear wing seems a bit out of place, and it seems as if it may create some turbulent airflow to disturb any cars trying to overtake. It may or may not create downforce, and it does not seem as if it will disturb the balance or overall rear end downforce. The crash structure and diffuser are very interesting in their design. They are closely integrated with the rear wing and suspension members and it seems as if a lot of thought was put into how the rear of the car manages airflow and creates downforce.
It looks like the extremely-undercut sidepods will provide optimum airflow to the rear of the car. The "axe-head" in front of the sidepods looks interesting, and I expect to see some development in that area as well, along with other teams.
Nothing too strange or awkward in the design, and that may make it seem like a "boring-looking" car to some, but lack of strange or awkward elements likely means less problems. Also Toyota's decision to not run KERS at the beginning of the season means less problems and variables to worry about. It will allow them to more purposefully focus their time on car set-up and development.
It remains to be seen whether KERS will be decisive or not this season.
Conceptual wrote:Did anyone carch the onboard backwards looking shot from the T camera on the Toyota?
It looks like the top of the airbox, from T-bar to the end of the shark fin is actually a flat shelf...
It looked very odd indeed, but I have yet to see any pictures of it.
Does anyone have any clear pics and understanding as to why it is done this way?
That flat edge was added early in testing, I am guessign it was added to act like an endplate to prevent flow passing over the fin in yaw and upseeign the airflow to the rear wing.
"Fortunately I've got a bag with dry ice in [my suit], which I put next to my balls, so at least they stay nice and cool!"- Sebastian Vettel, 2009 Malaysian GP Friday Practice.