2019 Pre Season thread: Developments, News etc

CFD data. Images(pic 1) looks to be the bottom of the car due to the wooden plank.

This is how the flow around the car will change with the new 2019 regulations of the Front Wing. The flow around the front wheel will be dirtier and will influence the rear part of the vehicle.



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front view. Y250 vortex looks less pronounced in 2019 vs 2018.


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rear view. Don't know how far back this is. Rear diffuser looks minimal in 2019 vs. 2018. IMO, this just looks like a repeat of what to expect with the outwash from the lead car.
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Looks like a Rorschach test to me. However, if it enhances the overtaking opportunities, bring it on.

 

Measurable but marginal gains prior to development as the season moves on. Certainly not 'night and day' difference in passing based on JGonzo posts above.

 

Too bad.

 

Mclaren MCL34 launch date is February 14th.

 

It better be good !!

 

Happy to see this. Maybe Ricci will have a good year as well! - https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/140868/renault-winter-gains-our-biggest-ever

Renault says the gains it expects from its 2019 Formula 1 car and engine are the biggest it has ever made over a winter.

The manufacturer ended the 2018 season at the front of the midfield, finishing fourth in the constructors' championship, but knows it needs to make a good step forward if it is to start mixing it with F1's big three of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Renault's F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul said he does not expect the team's progress to slow, and has confidence in the improvements that are being shown from its factory efforts.

"What I see is an acceleration everywhere," Abiteboul told Autosport.

"The gains that we will be making on the engine are much bigger than we have ever done in a winter - much bigger - and the gains that we are currently doing in the windtunnel are much bigger than we have ever done.

"But, we have to be careful on the windtunnel side, the aero side, as there is a change of regulation [primarily concerning front wings]. You know that when it happens there is a big reset: you lose [downforce] and you quickly catch up.

"So, it is difficult to make a distinction between what is coming from the regulations and what is coming from the effect of the restructure [at Renault].

"But if I look at our capacity to engineer, to develop, design and manufacture, it is an acceleration everywhere."

 

I'll be happy if they beat Red Bull.

 

Already picturing Ricci slip streaming past Max in Melbourne!

 

I'm imagining Max going balls out into T1 passing Seb, Ham, Bottas, then BAM! VTEC blows up.

 

It’s not that difficult to find your biggest gains ever over this winter, if you’ve barely found anything every year previous Renault! I’ll believe it when I see it. From what I’ve seen, Red Bull made you look way better than you had any rights to do

 

Yes but the chassis must have a power unit and vice-versa. They are a team of course. Renault did give Red Bull a number of good wins last year.

 

Renault have been promising the same thing for the past 4 years. Seeing is believing with them.

Mind you I am worried with the current goings on in Austria and Honda, seems a bit of a rift happening. Not ideal.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but this optimism is uncharacteristic of Abitboul. It seems that most of his past remarks have been in response to criticism by RBR. Perhaps there is some real substance here, that would be great. I am anxious to see how The Hulk measures up to Ricciardo.

 

Marko is not at all diplomatic is he lol

 

Yes, that would be wonderful. And as Ricci told us, he did revolutionize the passing maneuver.

 

CA is a giant jackass, but Renault has been improving year over year since they returned. I don't see any reason to think they will start going in reverse. Whether they can challenge the top 3 is a big wish, though.

 

+1 Agree, it's not like the top 3 are standing still. The RBR/Honda is the wild card.

 

The question is: Will Red Bull stay among the top 3 with Honda power?

I have my doubts. (and my secret wishes too!!!)

Renault is the 3rd full factory team (chassis+engine) with Ferrari and Mercedes, and sounds committed to stay in F1 for the long haul.

Red Bull is already talking about a way out of F1.

 

[AutoBild] Honda hits a snag with its engine development for 2019 already. It has terminated its partnership with AVL(simulation and testing company). Apparently there is a disagreement with AVL and Honda engineers. Ferrari also uses AVL. This has and will prevent Honda from running its PU at full capacity.

 

That sounds like a serious issue.

 

Oh dear, oh dear !!

Already a fly in the ointment at Honda, and the season hasn't started.

The Red Bull management must Watch that in disbelief ...

I expect a strong denial from Horner or Marko at any time.

 

Honda will have to bring it in in-house instead of outsourcing. Plan B.

Marko is already aware of the split and feels confident Honda will be stronger than Renault in 2019.

"As the flag drops, the ....... stops."

Melbourne right now for us is just too far away but for Honda and RedBull it's like probably tomorrow; times a ticking and Honda is running out of it.

 

Max destroyed his mobile phone upon reading that lol!

 

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/140874/honda-eyes-big-advantage-from-red-bullstr-setup

Toro Rosso's use of a complete Red Bull rear end in 2019 will be a "big advantage" for Honda as it prepares to supply two Formula 1 teams again.

Red Bull is switching to Honda engines next year after its junior team's successful first campaign with the Japanese manufacturer in 2018.

Toro Rosso has traditionally used the same gearbox internals from Red Bull Technology, but a different casing because it has not wanted to wait to finalise and sign off its gearbox and rear suspension.

As both teams will run Honda engines next they will share a complete rear end, including rear suspension, plus some front suspension parts.

"I think it's a big advantage," Honda technical director Toyoharu Tanabe told Autosport.

"We don't need to communicate between one team and another team, or they ask us completely separately.

"We don't have that situation. Of course, they have a slightly different design and we need to adapt to each team but it's not a big specification change."

Honda has not supplied two teams since returning to the F1 grid in 2015.

It was due to have two customers this year, but Toro Rosso replaced McLaren as its chief focus and Sauber cancelled a planned deal in favour of an upgraded Ferrari partnership.

It means this season will be Honda's first since 2008, when it had a works outfit and its B-team Super Aguri, with two teams using its engines.