Scuderia Ferrari SF15-T

[miguelalvesreis]

Something to follow?

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/photo ... t-for-2015

[f1316]

So bearing this in mind:

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/ ... cedes-edge

What is more telling is that Mercedes also seems to be running more wing + a much bigger monkey seat than Ferrari.

The 7 kph difference isn't in and of itself a huge issue- red bull were often that far down during championship years- but it comes in combination with Mercedes (seemingly) running more wing, which is worrying.

[dodds_turbo]

Something to follow?

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/photo ... t-for-2015

"Also, the drops of water on the bodywork create many reflections, but on the Ferrari they seemed to just slide away," said Galli.

Is it possible they have opted for a low drag type of paint? And regarding the rain/water, possibly a hydro-phobic paint/coating?

[George-Jung]

Could it be that Ferrari uses a shorter gear ratio for faster acceleration with slightly lower top speed?

[timbo]

Could it be that Ferrari uses a shorter gear ratio for faster acceleration with slightly lower top speed?

There could have some optimization compared to last year happening but I don't think it is significant. And it should not be apparent in Jerez, it's quite a low speed circuit.

[Overdriving]

So bearing this in mind:

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/ ... cedes-edge

What is more telling is that Mercedes also seems to be running more wing + a much bigger monkey seat than Ferrari.

The 7 kph difference isn't in and of itself a huge issue- red bull were often that far down during championship years- but it comes in combination with Mercedes (seemingly) running more wing, which is worrying.

Last year the difference was much bigger in Jerez:
Massa (307,6 km/h) - exactly the same top speed as this year, which is curious.
Hamilton (300,8 km/h)
Magnussen (300,8 km/h)
Button (291,8 km/h)
Hülkenberg (291,1 km/h)
Alonso (289,5 km/h).
Vergne (278,3 km/h)

This year Ferrari and Renault's top speeds are better than last year in Jerez. Mercedes's top speed is the same - 307,6 km/h.

[Juzh]

Could it be that Ferrari uses a shorter gear ratio for faster acceleration with slightly lower top speed?

No. This is not V8 era anymore.

The 7 kph difference isn't in and of itself a huge issue- red bull were often that far down during championship years

Entirely different reasons.

[f1316]

Could it be that Ferrari uses a shorter gear ratio for faster acceleration with slightly lower top speed?

No. This is not V8 era anymore.

The 7 kph difference isn't in and of itself a huge issue- red bull were often that far down during championship years

Entirely different reasons.

Which was exactly my point

[Juzh]

Could it be that Ferrari uses a shorter gear ratio for faster acceleration with slightly lower top speed?

No. This is not V8 era anymore.

The 7 kph difference isn't in and of itself a huge issue- red bull were often that far down during championship years

Entirely different reasons.

Which was exactly my point

Red bull in their champ years would accelerate up to lets say 314kmh on almost entirely same rate as everyone else (or sometimes faster), they would just lose out on the last part of straights with their short gearing. From 2014 onwards you're losing out over the entire straight, not just last hundred meters.
7 kmh deficit now is much worse than it used to be and should not be underestimated.

[SectorOne]

Red bull in their champ years would accelerate up to lets say 314kmh on almost entirely same rate as everyone else (or sometimes faster), they would just lose out on the last part of straights with their short gearing.

If they have shorter gearing then they would accelerate faster then people with longer gearing, every time.

[timbo]

Red bull in their champ years would accelerate up to lets say 314kmh on almost entirely same rate as everyone else (or sometimes faster), they would just lose out on the last part of straights with their short gearing.

If they have shorter gearing then they would accelerate faster then people with longer gearing, every time.

Not every time, only when they are not traction limited. Of course with DF advantage RBR had they would stop being traction limited at lower speed threshold. Also, what Juzh meant was that they will reach top speed faster, but due to it (top speed) being lower, they would loose a bit of time at the end of the straights if others can reach higher top speeds.

[f1316]

And why is it inconceivable that Ferrari are running similarly shorter ratios etc in Jerez?

If they have to stick with one set of ratios this year, it's logical that they would assess different ratios at the two testing tracks

[timbo]

And why is it inconceivable that Ferrari are running similarly shorter ratios etc in Jerez?

If they have to stick with one set of ratios this year, it's logical that they would assess different ratios at the two testing tracks

It would be pointless to check much shorter ratios than what you might want for the whole season, and I would guess they have just enough info already to commit to a set.

[Juzh]

And why is it inconceivable that Ferrari are running similarly shorter ratios etc in Jerez?

Shorter/longer --> no difference (within reason). Proven by merc/williams examples last year. Forget about gear ratios already people.

[f1316]

And why is it inconceivable that Ferrari are running similarly shorter ratios etc in Jerez?

Shorter/longer --> no difference (within reason). Proven by merc/williams examples last year. Forget about gear ratios already people.

I'm not saying you're not right, but do you mind explaining why the length of the ratios makes no (or not much) difference. Why is the principal any different with these engines?