Ferrari to make changes to the engine in the F10 following early season problems
Ferrari is to run with revised engines fitted to its F10 during the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend at Catalunya.
The team has suffered a number of issues so far this season, with Fernando Alonso suffering two failures during the opening four rounds of the year.
The Sauber team has also been beset by engine issues during the fly-away events in Bahrain, Australia, Malaysia and China which led to Ferrari making a request to the FIA to make changes to its engine on reliability grounds.
With the FIA having approved the changes, Ferrari will now run a revised engine for the opening race of the European season, although Pedro de la Rosa has doubted whether or not the changes will be ready in time for Sauber to make the most of them for the fifth round of the campaign.
“An element of the F10 package that has undergone close scrutiny in recent weeks is the engine,” a statement from Ferrari read. “A lot of work was carried out on the test bench, completing several long runs and this work produced some solutions which it is felt will solve the reliability problems experienced in Bahrain and Malaysia. The team therefore requested and received the authorisation of the FIA to make some changes within the framework of the current engine regulations and these modifications will be fitted to the engines to be used in Spain.
“While since China, everyone in the Gestione Sportiva has been working hard as always on their various areas of activity, it is fair to say that over the past weeks, the staff in the engine department really produced a major effort, working night and day to analyse, evaluate and solve issues that have affected engine performance in past races.”
As well as the revised engine, Ferrari will fit its own version of the F-Duct to the cars of Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa during free practice on Friday, when a decision will then be taken over whether or not to use the system during qualifying and in the race itself.
The system was trialed by test driver Giancarlo Fisichella during straight-line aerodynamic testing in Italy last weekend.
Source: Crash.net
Showing posts with label Duct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duct. Show all posts
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Red Bull eyes Spain debut for F-duct
Red Bull could be the next team with an 'F-duct' type system running on its 2010 car.
After McLaren pioneered the initially controversial innovation, Sauber, Ferrari, Williams and Mercedes have subsequently been tinkering with their own systems at recent races, with varying success.
It was rumoured in Shanghai that Red Bull, Renault and Force India are now close to having F-duct systems ready to add to their respective cars.
Red Bull's Christian Horner said the RB6 could be equipped with a downforce-spoiling system in Barcelona, "providing we make it back to Europe" amid the volcanic-ash air travel disruptions.
Meanwhile, it also emerges that the system running on Mercedes' W01 car in China might be referred to as an 'F-duct light', given that a more extreme version could debut in Spain.
The Shanghai version did not channel air through the engine cover, but rather from underneath the car, with the flow then flicked aerodynamically into a slot in the rear wing.
A system with a cockpit inlet adjustable by the driver was not seen in China but it could be ready for Turkey late next month, said team boss Ross Brawn.
He told Auto Motor und Sport that the China version brought about a tenth per lap, and that the full-blown system will be worth several tenths.
Fernando Alonso also suggested that Ferrari's "full version" will only be ready for a Grand Prix "later".
Source: Motorsport
After McLaren pioneered the initially controversial innovation, Sauber, Ferrari, Williams and Mercedes have subsequently been tinkering with their own systems at recent races, with varying success.
It was rumoured in Shanghai that Red Bull, Renault and Force India are now close to having F-duct systems ready to add to their respective cars.
Red Bull's Christian Horner said the RB6 could be equipped with a downforce-spoiling system in Barcelona, "providing we make it back to Europe" amid the volcanic-ash air travel disruptions.
Meanwhile, it also emerges that the system running on Mercedes' W01 car in China might be referred to as an 'F-duct light', given that a more extreme version could debut in Spain.
The Shanghai version did not channel air through the engine cover, but rather from underneath the car, with the flow then flicked aerodynamically into a slot in the rear wing.
A system with a cockpit inlet adjustable by the driver was not seen in China but it could be ready for Turkey late next month, said team boss Ross Brawn.
He told Auto Motor und Sport that the China version brought about a tenth per lap, and that the full-blown system will be worth several tenths.
Fernando Alonso also suggested that Ferrari's "full version" will only be ready for a Grand Prix "later".
Source: Motorsport
Friday, April 16, 2010
Q&A with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel
After taking P4 for Toro Rosso in 2007 and clinching Red Bull’s maiden victory here last year, Sebastian Vettel is clearly relishing his return to China this weekend. Vettel reviews his Friday in Shanghai, reflects on his first win of the season at the Malaysian event earlier this month, and looks ahead to Saturday’s qualifying session…
Q: Sebastian, looking at Friday’s times it seems it’s a fight between you and the Mercedes-powered cars…
Sebastian Vettel: You must not forget the Ferraris. They’ve been running quite heavily, whereas all the others were running on much lower fuel. But it is true that the ‘silver faction’ is pretty strong at this track. It has a long straight and by now we all know that the Mercedes engine is pretty strong.
Q: Will McLaren's F-duct system benefit the British team at this track?
SV: It helps, not only here but everywhere. Of course with such a long straight it is even more magic. This morning I had a good opportunity to see it at work myself, when I was running behind Jenson. Normally on a long straight you would stay patient and calm, and at the end of the straight, try to pass him. But in the middle of the straight he just left me, as if I was standing still.
Q: Is graining a problem here?
SV: Look around! Everybody is still wearing warm jackets. That means it is still pretty cold, which makes it difficult to bring the tyres up to temperature, so graining is an issue. We have to see what the conditions will be on Sunday, but one is obvious - tyres have a hard life at this track.
Q: Are bumps an issue?
SV: Yes, especially in Turn One, where there is a substantial bump that slightly gets in your way. It doesn’t matter if you are on high or low fuel.
Q: How satisfied are you with your Friday running?
SV: Well, it was quite a good day today. We enjoyed good running with no issues or problems with the car. So, yes, I would call it a positive day.
Q: Is sitting in the Red Bull almost a guarantee that you’ll win the race?
SV: I am only 22 but I have already learnt that there are no guarantees in life, so we still have to work hard. Yes, we do have one of the best cars and that is something that we can be proud of. Today it looked very close. Apart from McLaren nobody is running the F-duct - yet. At least none that work as well as the McLaren one. Hopefully we will have something similar soon.
Q: How relieved were you to win in Malaysia?
SV: Well, it is always nice to come to the next race with a win under your belt. It’s that extra bit of self confidence that can enable you to do even better. We could say that it ‘gives you wings’, like it says on our team gear.
Q: Last year you won this race, you must have fond memories…
SV: I have indeed very good memories, not only from last year’s victory but also my P4 in 2007 in a Toro Rosso. It’s obviously a track that has suited me, so let’s see on Sunday if it is still valid!
Source: Formula1.com
Q: Sebastian, looking at Friday’s times it seems it’s a fight between you and the Mercedes-powered cars…Sebastian Vettel: You must not forget the Ferraris. They’ve been running quite heavily, whereas all the others were running on much lower fuel. But it is true that the ‘silver faction’ is pretty strong at this track. It has a long straight and by now we all know that the Mercedes engine is pretty strong.
Q: Will McLaren's F-duct system benefit the British team at this track?
SV: It helps, not only here but everywhere. Of course with such a long straight it is even more magic. This morning I had a good opportunity to see it at work myself, when I was running behind Jenson. Normally on a long straight you would stay patient and calm, and at the end of the straight, try to pass him. But in the middle of the straight he just left me, as if I was standing still.
Q: Is graining a problem here?
SV: Look around! Everybody is still wearing warm jackets. That means it is still pretty cold, which makes it difficult to bring the tyres up to temperature, so graining is an issue. We have to see what the conditions will be on Sunday, but one is obvious - tyres have a hard life at this track.
Q: Are bumps an issue?
SV: Yes, especially in Turn One, where there is a substantial bump that slightly gets in your way. It doesn’t matter if you are on high or low fuel.
Q: How satisfied are you with your Friday running?
SV: Well, it was quite a good day today. We enjoyed good running with no issues or problems with the car. So, yes, I would call it a positive day.
Q: Is sitting in the Red Bull almost a guarantee that you’ll win the race?
SV: I am only 22 but I have already learnt that there are no guarantees in life, so we still have to work hard. Yes, we do have one of the best cars and that is something that we can be proud of. Today it looked very close. Apart from McLaren nobody is running the F-duct - yet. At least none that work as well as the McLaren one. Hopefully we will have something similar soon.
Q: How relieved were you to win in Malaysia?
SV: Well, it is always nice to come to the next race with a win under your belt. It’s that extra bit of self confidence that can enable you to do even better. We could say that it ‘gives you wings’, like it says on our team gear.
Q: Last year you won this race, you must have fond memories…
SV: I have indeed very good memories, not only from last year’s victory but also my P4 in 2007 in a Toro Rosso. It’s obviously a track that has suited me, so let’s see on Sunday if it is still valid!
Source: Formula1.com
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Vettel hopes Red Bull to use 'F-duct' soon
Almost half of the field is expected to be running an 'F-duct' in Friday practice in China, but current pacesetters Red Bull will not be among them.
Alongside innovators McLaren, it emerged on Thursday that Sauber, Williams, Mercedes and Ferrari will be using similar driver-activated air inlet systems, to stall the downforce onto the rear wing, in Shanghai.
With its Mercedes engine already more powerful than the Renault, the device is giving McLaren a substantial straight line advantage over Red Bull.
Designer Adrian Newey has admitted to working on an F-duct for the RB6, and German Vettel said on Thursday that he hopes it is ready soon.
Asked whether it will be on the car in Barcelona, he answered: "I hope so.
"China is the last flyaway race for a while, with a number of grands prix in Europe to follow. Hopefully we'll have it (the F-duct).
"We have no fixed date. Like all the others, we're working on it," Vettel revealed.
He said the system can deliver up to half a second per lap, which is a potential development that no capable team can ignore.
But "it's not easy (to integrate quickly), because McLaren worked on it in the development stage for a long time," said Vettel.
Source: Motorsport
Alongside innovators McLaren, it emerged on Thursday that Sauber, Williams, Mercedes and Ferrari will be using similar driver-activated air inlet systems, to stall the downforce onto the rear wing, in Shanghai.
With its Mercedes engine already more powerful than the Renault, the device is giving McLaren a substantial straight line advantage over Red Bull.
Designer Adrian Newey has admitted to working on an F-duct for the RB6, and German Vettel said on Thursday that he hopes it is ready soon.
Asked whether it will be on the car in Barcelona, he answered: "I hope so.
"China is the last flyaway race for a while, with a number of grands prix in Europe to follow. Hopefully we'll have it (the F-duct).
"We have no fixed date. Like all the others, we're working on it," Vettel revealed.
He said the system can deliver up to half a second per lap, which is a potential development that no capable team can ignore.
But "it's not easy (to integrate quickly), because McLaren worked on it in the development stage for a long time," said Vettel.
Source: Motorsport
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
