Anyone have a good picture/technical drawing of the new Renault exhaust layout? A number of teams are considering it. The photos I saw aren't very clear. Kevin Wonder if it sounds different?
From what I have been reading, a number of teams have different theories regarding where the exhaust should be ventilated. So in a way, they will be doing what Renault is doing. Everyone is going to have a number of updates come the first race and I bet we will see someone else do something with their exhaust before practice is over
I think you misunderstand. When FIA said: "You can't have a blown diffuser anymore" most of the human world would say: "OK, lets put it back where it was", but a F1 designer will end up saying: "Where can it blow that is not called a diffuser".
Mitch - not sure I follow your response. Renault has located the exhaust in he front of the sidepods; meaning the exhaust curves forward from the block and comes somewhere out th front. Definitely different; seems very risky to have that much heat on both sides of the car next to the driver, radiators, bodywork etc.....
There is speculation that exhaust gases are getting directed under the car and still feeding the diffuser... but since they're feeding the exhaust further forward it's technically not a "blown diffuser" Some good pictures of it here: http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/f1/renaults-radical-r31-exhaust-system/
very cool! I hope the FIA doesn't ban it. At least not until it can be used in a couple races. thumbs up on the idea; hope it works.
Here's another good article explaining some more detail. I'm interested to know what could happen in a shunt where hot exhaust gases and fuel mixing (like Heikki's car last year) would be directed closer to the driver than before. http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/renault-r31-front-exit-exhausts-fee-explained/
Brawn has already gone on record as admiring the concept and saying that Mercedes is looking at it; and it's rumoured that McLaren came up with the same idea and that the MP4-26, to be unveiled Friday, already incorporates a similar forward exhaust.
According to Autosport, Brawn does not think it is a concept that will be vital. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89241
Hmmm - according to http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=399037 , Auto Motor und Sport quoted Brawn thusly: As always, the F1 news, reports, quotes get recycled so much you never know which reports are more accurate!
Right, so the exhaust gasses flow under the sidepods. This cause more air+gasses to flow under the car causeing the gas to move at higher velocity, therby reducing pressure and gaining downforce. Thus, my statement: They found something other than a diffuser to blow the exhaust under.
Great stuff. The type of innovation that makes F1. I get how the exhaust gasses move while the car is under way but don't they exit too close to the cockpit to dissipate safely while at rest?
+1 I guess it's no big deal - I don't think it really matters where it comes out. Now, what happens when he gets T-boned may be another story...... Cheers, Ian
I wonder if this will generate extra heat for the driver's cockpit... if heat shields fail then the driver could have to retire to avoid being roasted alive. It would also make hotter races like Bahrain more difficult and physically challenging to endure. It is innovative though, I like it. All the best, Andrew.
Its been a while since I've been close enough to smell an F1 exhaust but I imagine they're a bit noxious.
Me too, but now they're on pump gas I don't think they're too bad - There's always a couple of guys right on the tail with a starter in case of stalling for example, and they're not wearing breathing apparatus...... 'Twas different when they running rocket-fuel wacky-juice..... Cheers, Ian
Brilliant innovation, loving it. I suppose what Ian mean with T boned is a nudge (wheel to side), which happens fairly often...I suppose if the nudge is hard enough it could bend the exhaust enough to seriously reduce power. Actually, how about a trip through the gravel trap? You'll be off throttle, so not much back pressure. Stone gets lodged in exhaust, might get in engine = expensive trip (and another engine gone...) When heatshields fail, generally the electronics get roasted and the car will get to a stand still, or will catch fire. They don't fail often IIRC.
Expect every team to incorporate this - or take a stronger look- Final Times for today. Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Robert Kubica Renault 1m13.144s 95
You don't die when you stand near old cars without exhaust gas aftertreatment idling at a red light. So I suppose the drivers are safe!