Australian Grand Prix 2010, Melbourne - Race 2/19

PinkFloyd · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:24

I guess it is possible than rather having a better top speed, they've just upped the downforce in low speed stuff, and used the F vent to make sure they don't have a disadvantage in the slow stuff?

sunama · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:28

PinkFloyd said:
I guess it is possible than rather having a better top speed, they've just upped the downforce in low speed stuff, and used the F vent to make sure they don't have a disadvantage in the slow stuff?

This would make sense.

utajoker · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:29

PinkFloyd said:
I guess it is possible than rather having a better top speed, they've just upped the downforce in low speed stuff, and used the F vent to make sure they don't have a disadvantage in the slow stuff?

i was about to post this.

sunama · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:30

Cavallino said:
Indeed. Obviously the configuration of the track needs to be taken into consideration. But in a straight line, the Mclarens were supposed to be up to something like 10kph faster down a straight or something?
Can anyone dig up the numbers?

In general, the top speed of the 2 McLarens seems to be around 1-3kph faster than all the other cars.

Duke · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:31

Cavallino said:
Indeed. Obviously the configuration of the track needs to be taken into consideration. But in a straight line, the Mclarens were supposed to be up to something like 10kph faster down a straight or something?
Can anyone dig up the numbers?

Look couple of posts up

Cavallino · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:37

Duke said:
Look couple of posts up

No no I meant during testing/beginning of season, when Mclaren showed off their new design, it was "reported" to bring (ceteris paribus) around 10-15kph of extra speed compared to the next fastest car on the grid.

But the values quoted above, are in the order of 3kph. Now as I said, it could be that the configuration of the circuit does not allow the car to make full use and capitalise on this particular feature of the car as it is more useful down straights and high speed corners.

NathanE · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:40

Cavallino said:
But I assume the Ferrari doesnt have this either? So doesnt that imply the status quo between Mclaren and Ferrari is maintained?

Apparently Ferrari have been adjusting their ride height manually in the pits. Whereas Red Bull's car apparently does it automatically. Ross Brawn believes the Red Bull is using some sort of mechanical ratchet.

NathanE · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:41

Cavallino said:
No no I meant during testing/beginning of season, when Mclaren showed off their new design, it was "reported" to bring (ceteris paribus) around 10-15kph of extra speed compared to the next fastest car on the grid.

But the values quoted above, are in the order of 3kph. Now as I said, it could be that the configuration of the circuit does not allow the car to make full use and capitalise on this particular feature of the car as it is more useful down straights and high speed corners.

It's not all about top end though. It allows McLaren to run more downforce than they otherwise would because the rear wing can be stalled by the driver on straights.

Cavallino · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:43

NathanE said:
Apparently Ferrari have been adjusting their ride height manually in the pits. Whereas Red Bull's car apparently does it automatically. Ross Brawn believes the Red Bull is using some sort of mechanical ratchet.

Yea but the difference is that Red Bull somehow manage to alter the ride height of the car so that it goes down as the car uses up fuel!

James Allen reported this earlier on during the week. Theres an article somewhere.

EDIT: Ah here we go:

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/6056872/McLaren-Question-Red-Bull-s-Legality

In his Friday night blog, James Allen reported that, while 'Ferrari's system is manual and very obvious', 'There have been suggestions that Red Bull has a more sophisticated system, which allows the car to run low in qualifying trim but then raises itself up when the 160 kilos of fuel are loaded in and lowers itself again as the fuel burns off. The key to that is making it legal.

Not sure if the Ferraris do this?

Cavallino · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:45

NathanE said:
It's not all about top end though. It allows McLaren to run more downforce than they otherwise would because the rear wing can be stalled by the driver on straights.

Correct. On longer straight circuits, we should expect the Mclarens to have a higher number here. (Bahrain is now a high/mid downforce circuit due to the changes from last year, so I guess speed trap values there should be of a similar order to here.

deuse · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:56

"Schumacher seeks blocking clarification about driving standards in qualifying"

"And he was so upset with the way that Alonso had driven while on a slow down lap at the end of Q3,
that he confronted the Spaniard in parc ferme after the session"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82459

I think he did the same to DC

Cavallino · 27 Mar 2010 at 15:59

deuse said:
"Schumacher seeks blocking clarification about driving standards in qualifying"

"And he was so upset with the way that Alonso had driven while on a slow down lap at the end of Q3,
that he confronted the Spaniard in parc ferme after the session"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82459

I think he did the same to DC

Haha classic!

Sparky · 27 Mar 2010 at 16:04

MSC accusing other people of blocking in Quali????

Must be getting old and losing his marbles as he clearly forgot that he is the **** that decided to park a perfectly good car up at Monaco to stop people beating him.

Cavallino · 27 Mar 2010 at 16:16

CS||nuTs said:
MSC accusing other people of blocking in Quali????

Must be getting old and losing his marbles as he clearly forgot that he is the **** that decided to park a perfectly good car up at Monaco to stop people beating him.

My thoughts too

Can you imagine the conversation between him and Alonso?

MSC: "Did you try to block me Alonso?"
FA Just stares and says: "Monaco 2006"

Duke · 27 Mar 2010 at 16:23

^ lol

sunama · 27 Mar 2010 at 16:24

I think MS is just frustrated at being outgunned by his team-mate, again.

NathanE · 27 Mar 2010 at 16:31

The whole MS thing is starting to bore. In fact, it pretty much dried up after Bahrain Qually.

Cavallino · 27 Mar 2010 at 16:49

NathanE said:
The whole MS thing is starting to bore. In fact, it pretty much dried up after Bahrain Qually.

The whole MS thing? As in his return etc?
Or the Rosberg Vs Schumi thing?

Cavallino · 27 Mar 2010 at 16:51

Looks like Brawn have jumped in on this ride height issue as well.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82461

NathanE · 27 Mar 2010 at 17:15

Cavallino said:
The whole MS thing? As in his return etc?
Or the Rosberg Vs Schumi thing?

His return... the excitement was over how good he would be. That question was answered after Bahrain Qually.