2014 LMP1 question

Hello members. I saw yesterday a full coverage in motorsport.com of the new Audi R18 LMP1 which will take part in the 2014 LeMans 24H race and by observing thoroughly this picture http://cdn-5.motorsport.com/static/img/mgl/1600000/1650000/1651000/1651600/1651605/s1_1.jpg i wondered what are these large openings on top of each front wing and what is the purpose of it. It is probably the new regulations but i really can't imagine their usefulness.

Thank you.

 

Probably engine cooling as well as aero efficiency to maximizes downforce. I believe power is also down, which means that cornering speeds must be fully utilized...

 

I don't understand something. Why the front openings play major factor in engine cooling?

Thank you for the response.

 

Weren't these introduced a few years ago by the ACO as part of their anti-flying plans - see post 6 here Aerodynamic flow in wheel arches and behind wheel - Forum - F1technical.net

 

Correct.

 

they don't do anything for engine cooling. it helps "vent" turbulent air from around the wheels to reduce front end lift, so the cars don't take off under certain conditions.

 

Thanks a lot Chas for explanatory analysis.

 

For years, they used slats in the wheel arches which never really made any sense
as most of the time, the slats would be gone within a few laps due to the amount of
rubber pick-up the tires were throwing through them.

The amount of broken slats likely also caused a lot of sharp on track debris leading
to other problems.

BHW

 

I think the idea behind the slats was to smooth the airflow over the top of the fender but you're right, they got torn to hell quickly with clag...and if you went through a gravel trap it was like buckshot right through them.

 

For as technically advanced and nicely designed as the Audis are, can't they have done something a little more elegant with those vents? It looks like they have been cut out with a sawzall and a cutoff wheel. At least with the add on slats, they looked finished. That hole appears like someone had to plug a tire and didn't feel like taking off the wheel.

 

I believe the size and placement of those vents are FIA mandated; sort of "design your car, then we'll tell you where to cut the holes" sort of thing, which is why they look some haphazard.