Technical news from the Abu Dhabi GP weekend
Abu Dhabi hosts the last round of the 2017 Formula One Championship season. As the two titles are already sealed and several other championship positions are secured, the Moving Circus is completely focused on next year's development and regulation details.
Ferrari focused on 2018 development
Scuderia Ferrari have already shifted its focus towards the 2018 developments. The team tried out various solutions during Friday practices which were aimed at the development path the team wants to take with its next year’s challenger. The team experimented with different aerodynamic parts, especially around the diffusor area.
Sebastian Vettel disclosed that his team may try to maximize its potential during the season finale, but its mindset is already in next year.
“We also tried something aimed at the next season today. I think we are ready for next year, but right now it is important to finish this season in the right way, because the better the result, the better the mood within the team,” added Vettel.
360-degree cameras for 2018
F1 cars will run 360-degree cameras that will be mounted on the chassis just in front of the halo from the 2018 season. That is part of Liberty Media’s push to enhance the viewing experience for fans.
"There is a 360-degree camera being added to next year's car on top of the chassis, which will give a different perspective of things. That will be just in front of the halo. It's very impressive," said Force India technical director Andrew Green.
F1 technology partner Tata trialled two 360-degree cameras during the Singapore GP weekend. So far, 360-degree feeds have proved challenging to introduce for sports because of a long delay before the images can be processed.
Halo will add weight massively
FIA decided earlier that it introduces the revolutionary safety device, the head protection system called halo despite to the concerns regarding its looks and safety improvement.
According to the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the new device tips the scales at 14 kilograms in total. The consequence of that is that F1 cars could be half a second per lap slower in 2018.
The halo device will be a standard element in its structure, but teams are allowed to play with the aerodynamics of the upper surface of the structure. The American squad Haas F1 Team was the first one which tested a unique configuration which had serrated details on its surface.
Ferrari broke the curfew
F1’s governing body FIA first stated Ferrari used up its second of the two individual exceptions permitted during a championship season regarding the curfew during Friday night.
FIA then carried out further investigations which showed that the person who was within the confines of the circuit during the eight-hour-period which commenced at 2:00 on 24 November and end three hours before the scheduled start of P1 at 10:000 on 24 November is not associated with the operation of the cars.
Brandon Hartely double-fined
Scuderia Toro Rosso’s newcomer Brandon Hartely was fined 300 EUR for exceeding the pit lane speed limit . The New Zealander entered the pit at a speed of 82.7kph despite to the maximum limit of 80 kph.
The Porsche star driver got another penalty. Toro Rosso installed the 9th motor generator unit-heat in his car which is the first element of the 9th power unit. It means a 10-place-grid penalty is imposed for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Renault gives it full beans again
Out of spare parts at a reliability-marred tail end of the season for Renault, the French manufacturer detuned its engines in the previous Brazil Grand Prix after it was dogged by a series of reliability woes in Mexico.
Auto Motor und Sport claims the power is back up as the season concludes this weekend in Abu Dhabi for all its teams. Renault supplied Red Bull and Toro Rosso with its power unit and this race will be the last one of its collaboration with the Faenza-based energy drink company-owned squad.
