Mugello various car upgrades and testing thread

Thanks to Anthony Ferrari I already have Schumacher's sig on my helmet, which is one of my most cherished possesions.

So no, but close

Sorry for the hijack.

 

And here we go. Updated F2012 sidepods and exhaust. Looks like this usually unreliable source was reliable today!

I bet Ferrari are going to try a couple different configurations of this exhaust, the Mclaren route and the Mercedes route. Looks like they have it arranged the Mercedes route at the moment but a little more outboard than W03.

I have to say I'm not really surprised this was not a radical change to the sidepod coke bottle area as everyone was expecting. If they were to change it that heavily then the cooling system and venting system would very possibly required major internal changes. Regardless, this should yield Ferrari some much needed aero at the back end. Not much though.
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Is the airbox fin new or enhanced?

 

So what are the "Acer ducts" used for now? Cooling? I figured they'd do away with them if since they kinda protrude a ways out there.

Upgrades look good, and there's more planned for Spain yes?

 

I believe the Acer ducts are indeed a cooling exit. The F2012 uses a very old style vertical radiator arrangement in the sidepods as opposed to the nearly horizontal curved arrangement pretty much every else uses. Ferrari's setup probably has to be vented fairly directly in order to operate well.


And yes, the engine cover 'fin' is also updated. Ferrari currently have a ton of flow vis on the rear wing testing that. Or at least they did until the end of testing.

 

Thanks.
Appreciate your updates.

 

Here's Autosports Gary Anderson on the new Ferrari bits;

I definitely concur that you don't want to feed low speed air into a high speed zone. I wonder how much of a PITA moving those exits will be? Phase two?.....

Hopefully, it'll give 'em the predicted few tenths.

Cheers,
Ian
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99304

 

Nice updates! Anyone know how/why Alonso flung the car into the gravel in the morning?

 

Didn't see it but I assume it was Massa's fault.

 

LOL

No doubt!.....

Apparently, he "nudged" the tires in turn 12. I guess he was simply pushing a little too hard. Took 'em about two hours to get him back out, so it wasn't too big of a deal.

Cheers,
Ian

 

It makes you worry that he was pushing that hard in testing and wasn't able to take the top spot still. Not saying everyone is making it an easy day, but Ferrari have to be the ones that need to prove the most in Italy don't you think?

 

LOL.

 

Exhaust is the same on the Merc.

 

Who knows, maybe Merc, Lotus and now Ferrari have the right idea with the more "basic" exhaust setup. The McLaren unit that is being so widely copied hasn't proven itself as the end-all-be-all, IMO.

As for Ferrari, I read on another forum that Ferrari is channeling the exhaust as well as the air from under the engine cover out of the "Acer ducts" into a hole in the diffuser and this is the "Byrne floor" we have heard so much about.

Bodes well, we will see how well in a week.

 

I agree with you about the exhaust situation. Mclaren's setup is clever but they are fighting for 10% of the blown EBD efficiency they had last year with it. It's widely contested that what Merc and Lotus are doing, which is in essence making the center area of the diffuser operate better (this is an area of the diffuser always difficult to make work best) is as good. Lotus proved at the last race that it can be quicker than the Red Bull (both Kimi and Grosj were quicker at some point) without any EBD going on. Merc also proved it at China, but I believe that had a lot to do with their crazy acceleration obviously.

 

Here's a side-by-side snapshot of some of the F2012 upgrades from Mugello:
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yeah, Crucial, the Ferrari fantatic extra-ordinare on f1tech made that little montage. nice job.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17937295

 

man did I call it on Ferrari getting .200-.300, or did I call it lol. mmmm. good progress for them though, excellent.

Meanwhile I think Lotus gained a tenth and Merc gained a tenth. Mclaren seems to just have been concentrating on further understanding the tires

 

Did they change the sidepods at all Pilot? Or is it just the Acer logo making the coke bottle look more "squared off & flat"?

 

Yes definitely. The area around the exhaust is tidied up quite a bit. There's just not a whole lot they can do with that area as it is part of the radiator ventilation system. Notice the sidepod changes now employ several vents around the exhaust now. They are pretty much stuck with them.

 

Brawn has been quoted as saying that he has concerns about overheating the tires with a McLaren style setup.

 

Interesting. Overheating of the tires was the main issue with the F2012 launch configuration.

 

Nico said in an interview today that they might have found the solution

 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99315

So dont go to Monaco Vitaly....you wont be missed.