CaterhamF1 CT-01 Renault

[meves]

The Caterham exhausts seem to be less controlled than the concepts from Sauber, McLaren, and Ferrari (to name a few) which really direct the exhaust flow. Are they just trying to blow the whole beam wing instead of focusing on sealing the diffusor or blowing brake fins or are just being cautious with the cooling and exhaust whilst they run KERS for the first time?

Has anyone heard anything?

[Chalke]

Perhaps as a smaller team they recognise the potential for controversy with exhaust design and don't want to risk the costs until some clarifications have been made. They could well have designed some concepts, but don't want to waste production and development budgets on dead ends.

[Gridlock]

It seems that the Caterham's gills aren't actually slotted through. Is this just a preliminary engine cover? I can't think there are many benefits to just adding some fake gills.

My amateurish and in-head CFD thinking is that it creates a larger area of low pressure air behind the gills, which would draw the exhaust plume into a wider volume and possibly fill the space between the beam wing and wing. But it might just be a cooling thing - I agree that the slats don't appear open though.

[MIKEY_!]

I recall in 2008(?) honda ran gills like that (as did everyone else) but then blocked them just as caterham are doing at cooler races. The hot air interferes with the flow over the sidepod so blocking the gills is better than them being open apparently.



http://www.f1technical.net/development/196

[Blackout]

Something from mike's Renault years', the R24

Sacrilege ! it's the R25

[raymondu999]

Mike moved to Toyota when the R24 came out. Granted he was probably still the designer (as it was probably designed through 2003

[Oneshortplanck]

It seems that the Caterham's gills aren't actually slotted through. Is this just a preliminary engine cover? I can't think there are many benefits to just adding some fake gills.

is there any gain in 'softening', 'ruffling up' or 'turbulating' (i know its not a real word) the air before the exhaust exit; the gain being so the exhaust gasses can punch through and be directed rearwards with fewer losses?

[MIKEY_!]

Oh that's an interesting one. It would be a good way to use the exhaust more efficiently. I think the exhaust will cut through the turbulent air from the sidepods easier than clean air.

[Hail22]

Looks like this will be the revised front nose/wing at Barcelona.

[kris]

Trulli's out.. Petrov in.. Wouldn't they have to do seat adjustment and all pre-season activity all over again? Isn't it too late in the day?

[Owen.C93]

Trulli's out.. Petrov in.. Wouldn't they have to do seat adjustment and all pre-season activity all over again? Isn't it too late in the day?

Not really, people bring in drivers mid season so a few hundred lap pre-season will be just fine.

[kris]

Trulli's out.. Petrov in.. Wouldn't they have to do seat adjustment and all pre-season activity all over again? Isn't it too late in the day?

Not really, people bring in drivers mid season so a few hundred lap pre-season will be just fine.

I believed that each driver goes through a series of pre-season rituals like arrangements to suit him seats,steering,car properties (point front, slippery back etc) etc. If they had taken him on earlier they could have included a bit into the car as per his preferences. Now like the mid-season drivers he might get a car he's got to drive, rather than a car customed to his preferences.

[Caterhamrules]

The 2012 Caterham F1 car testing at Jerez

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBfUPKN-m1E[/youtube]

[Pierce89]

Trulli's out.. Petrov in.. Wouldn't they have to do seat adjustment and all pre-season activity all over again? Isn't it too late in the day?

Not really, people bring in drivers mid season so a few hundred lap pre-season will be just fine.

I believed that each driver goes through a series of pre-season rituals like arrangements to suit him seats,steering,car properties (point front, slippery back etc) etc. If they had taken him on earlier they could have included a bit into the car as per his preferences. Now like the mid-season drivers he might get a car he's got to drive, rather than a car customed to his preferences.

either way, Tulli is overall faster driver. To me, when Caterham came alomg the fact that they didn't have pay drivers was very impressive and sort of a statement of intent to be a REAL f1 team. Oh well they use a pay driver now like all the other crap teams.

[ringo]

The 2012 Caterham F1 car testing at Jerez

car actually looks composed. Big improvement over the 2011 and 2010 car.