Renault R30

[Just_a_fan]

mmmm. Snorkel perhaps?

Dunno. The part within the "snorkel" appears to have the words "do not paint" on it. Which is odd.

I wonder if there's a sensor in there which the "snorkel" both protects and directs air over. A temp sensor perhaps? Or an aerial or some sort?

[scarbs]

Thats the GPS dish under the cover

[Just_a_fan]

I did wonder if that was the case. Thanks.

[cravenciak]

Ehh.

[mach11]

Fantastic images! Thanks Zgred =D> Amazing details I have to say

yeah just brilliant....

May i ask... how do you manage to get so close to these cars??? are you a journalist??? or are u the official photographer of F1technical.net???

[cravenciak]

[King Six]

What I don't get is how the tethers are done when it comes to wheels, if there's a reasonable shunt they usually hold the wheels in place, but how does it all work when they're doing pitstops and changing the wheels, or in cases like this, the wheel flew off but the tethers didn't hold it in place.

It's abit confusing.

[Giblet]

The brake assembly and hub is tethered to the car, the rim and tire are rigidly bolted to the hub.

If the whee *rim* comes off, then then there is nothing tethered, but they are not supposed to come off. The tether is there to keep the whole assembly from going airborne when broken from contact up to a certain load.

[thestig84]

What I don't get is how the tethers are done when it comes to wheels, if there's a reasonable shunt they usually hold the wheels in place, but how does it all work when they're doing pitstops and changing the wheels, or in cases like this, the wheel flew off but the tethers didn't hold it in place.

It's abit confusing.

If the rims were tethered how would they change tyres at pitstops

[Greg_OR]

http://www.renault-f1.fr/?Rupture-mecanique-pour-Robert

...
Two hypotheses for this abandonment: Let the nut was loose but could have taken the first four rounds, including three under safety car, or there is a technical problem from the wheel nut. In any case, think what Alan Permane.

In any case, the GP finished, the men went to Renault on track to find this nut.

so if they've found this nut we will get know soon or they will keep it for themselves in order not to blame particular mechanic for this, and I like their philosophy behind, that is, as mentioned in cited news, "we win and loose together", which is quite obvious but when it comes to real life this is what makes one team stronger or not.
I would love to hear more on different teams spirit from insiders (although not in this thread).

[marcush.]

to me the idea of a single nut securing the wheel to the car AND changing at least four wheels per car in under 5 seconds is representinga considerable risk in itself.
I think the first team to introduce a self securing and automatic release of wheels for wheelchange will be in a very fine position .I think it is very much doable to produce a wheel locking device that 1) is integrated into wheel /Hub -with no separte parts to actuallly secure the wheel (what a shitty idea to put a separate nut on the system which can fail ,can get lost ,cross threaded etc...) and 2nd not depend the clamping force on the pressure of the airline or the time(!) the operator
presses the airguntrigger... you got a lot of variables there ....too many to have a repeatable process that cannot go wrong in the heat of the moment.
The coolest thing would be to create a fail safe system that will only allow you to drop the car from the jacks when all 4 wheels are locked properly....all doabale...don´t they have clever creative engineers in those teams?
I think all teams now have had their issues with wheelnuts in the last two seasons.
any one of those events would justify putting all necesary effort into that to get rid of the problem on safety grounds alone.

[Greg_OR]

I fully agree but:

12.8 Wheel assembly :
12.8.1 The only parts which may be physically attached to the wheel in addition to the tyre are surface treatments
for appearance and protection, valves for filling and discharging the tyre, balance weights, drive pegs, tyre
pressure and temperature monitoring devices and spacers on the inboard mounting face of identical
specification on all wheels for the same axle.
12.8.2 The wheel must be attached to the car with a single fastener. The outer diameter of the fastener must not
exceed 105mm and the axial length must not exceed 75mm. The wheel fastener may not attach or mount
any part to the car except the wheel assembly described in Article 12.8.1.

So there is no much room left for invention but as I understand 'fastener' does not mean 'nut' nor 'screw' so maybe we'll see some 'click-clack' bolts in future.

[manchild]

Same thing happened to Renault twice in 2006. both times on Alonso's car during the race (right-rear wheel). Than they've changed the mechanics and it stopped. Perhaps they went back to same mechanics positions again?

[TheRMVR]

Same thing happened to Renault twice in 2006. both times on Alonso's car during the race (right-rear wheel). Than they've changed the mechanics and it stopped. Perhaps they went back to same mechanics positions again?

Ok forgive me Im not really following the discussion but am I blind or is that a Ferrari mechanic working on a Renault pit-stop?

[marcush.]

wow very blatant case of espionage discovered....