Red Bull RB7 Renault

[Formula None]

Has it been concluded, if the auxiliary vents are for KERS or are they merely chimneys for the engine rads?

[bot6]

I think chimneys for the radiators. KERS would be positioned lower in the car as it's a heavy device, and is probably cooled by the same system as the engine.

It could also be for electronics.

On a sidenote, apparently they are taking Webber's car apart right now as the telemetry has shown some suspect elements which might explain his struggle compared to Vettel in Oz. So he might be back up there in Malaysia if they find what's wrong...

[tok-tokkie]

RB7 had the smaller cooling outlet in the race and the huge one was tried

Friday:


Sunday:


So the big one is used when KERS is on and the small one when it's out.

This was posted 2 days ago.

With KERS they seem to have the huge outlet. It seems that without KERS they can have a much more streamlined engine cover & airflow to the rear wings.

[raymondu999]

That could be a major talking point. I believe they also did 2 engine cover in testing. Could someone enhance the lower photo btw?

[Dragonfly]

That could be a major talking point. I believe they also did 2 engine cover in testing. Could someone enhance the lower photo btw?

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[Lindz]

I agree that the 2 engine covers with the cooling outlets relate to KERS/no KERS. I thought it would have been more talked about in the last few days. I had suspected this over the weekend, but never actually went through the trouble to verify, sicne I've been busy.

Nice catch.

Naysayers won't be too happy, though. RBR's fastest times in pre-season testing were running the bigger bazooka outlet (let's assume also this meant a working KERS system). They were also fastest in FP1 for the Oz GP (with this/KERS).

I don't think the aero penalty is too bad with the 'bazooka outlet'. With the shape of the RB7 rear end, there aren't many other places to open up for additional cooling without a much bigger penalty.

[nacho]

In 2009 when the cars didn't have KERS the "battery" in the screen always was grey but now they showed the normal full "battery" on the screen every time.

[donskar]

Lots of interesting discussion here, but for me the really key point is RB's performance without KERS. Imagine the race result (gaps) if they HAD used KERS and it was worth only one or two tenths per lap . . .

We must hope that McL, Ferrari, and M-R can improve their pace significantly.

[Fil]

That could be a major talking point. I believe they also did 2 engine cover in testing. Could someone enhance the lower photo btw?

A better shot of AusGP race-spec rear here..


Link

[Just_a_fan]

Amazing how thin the rear wing endplates are considering they're taking the upper and lower wing loads and taking the DRS activation system too. And how all of the rear wing loads are taken through fairly small sections down on to the diffuser. I guess the very 3d nature of the diffuser makes it nice and stiff but even so.

[bill shoe]

That could be a major talking point. I believe they also did 2 engine cover in testing. Could someone enhance the lower photo btw?

A better shot of AusGP race-spec rear here..

Fil, your pics of the RB7 and all the cars are fantastic. Thanks for posting and linking them.

[Richard]

Fil, your pics of the RB7 and all the cars are fantastic. Thanks for posting and linking them.

+1

You had amazing access. I know they allow fans onto the track, did you peer over the pit wall?

[BreezyRacer]

The outer areas of the diffuser looks more curvaceous than the examples in testing.

BTW it seems like most of the wing loading is handled by the lower beam wing sitting on the tranny/crash structure. I'm sure the endplates handle some of the load to the diffuser but I would say the beam wing handles most of it.

[AbbaleRacing77]

If Redbull can make a front wing flex and pass every test why would they stop at just the front wing? Has anyone looked into other flexing parts?

[raymondu999]

There's also a rear wing flex test I believe.