Blackout wrote:I hope STR will keep the V-shaped cooler. With the V-integrated Ferrari intercooler, that car could have some of the tiniest sidepods ever
will the 2011-2012 floating sidepods be back ?
Probably not.
Presumably Ferrari Pu (2015) had slight higher CofG than Renault (also 2015 mark).
I belive that CofG is higher because of position of heavy metallic watter heat exchanger in middle of Vee of ICE versus Renault carbon fiber "only" plenum version. I don't think that Ferrari reach regulated "minimal" CoFG height with that PU arrangement. it a trade-off to save energy due low "lag" response of the engine (spooling the MGUH etc.).
Anyway the beauty of water inter-cooler is that you could relocate anything literally "in one place" of the sidepod and makes the easier CFD work for aerodynamics purposes. Less complicated opening on unusual places, less variables. And that is i believe in sport where you have very limited CFD, widtunnel hours and serious constraints in teams budget one of crucial points. Some say simple is always better...
So if they keep this years configuration of very high sitting rads in the sidepod, that could raise the overall CofG even further. So mechanical setup could collapse some work from this years very balanced chasis?
So the technical team will surely question them selves:
-how much do we learn about hight rads position from last 2 yrs (yes they experiment a lot in last yrs from doable floor sidepot etc.)? What are mechanical vs aero deficits? Is worth of sidepod shrinkage and coke bottle for extra AERO points?
-or could we make
before huge regulation change complete redesign of the car in
1 year time?
-what is the path for 2017? Could we steer in one direction to make life eaier in the future?
Also big consideration points:
+they have two rookies drivers
+limited resources: staff, regulation
+very different PU from sister or "mother" team: so any potential help in that area is ruled out
Hmm.
The TorroRosso is in very very difficult position how to provide ideal package and use its limited knowledge from other years in order to provide success not only for another year but years afterwards...
"And if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver..." Ayrton Senna