A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
Yer, I was just going to say that this happened at the last test and I remember a picture of the Sauber with it's engine cover missing. I thought that might have been intentional but it obviously wasn't.
I suppose that if that happened during a race it would result in a DNF? Or would it be fixed within a lap or two, should it not be fit for racing?
As for the pressure buildup, I'm thinking that the gaps in the bodywork are lifting up the engine cover, leading to a complete rip-off of that section at high speed.
Either as mx_tifosi was explaining or they obviously have good flow over the pods creating a huge pressure differential.
Definitely if it reoccurs it will become and issue of safety whether they should race, which is a shame because this car seems properly quick, though i still feel the top order are yet to show their hand
"I continuously go further and further learning about my own limitations, my body limitations, psychological limitations. It's a way of life for me." - Ayrton Senna
Yep, helluva sidepod opening. But it's illegal isn't it? As it's more than 350mm in cross section?
They're going to end up racing with the area covered in duck tape...
Actually they should just build an engine cover out of duck tape. Ain't nothing stronger than duck tape!
their cooling exhaust hole around the back is too small, so a lot of back pressure built up inside the side pod.
They probably need to strengthen their sidepods, they must be desperately trying to keep weight down.
Some of those mercedes gills should relieve the situation a bit.
Notice the layout of the radiator.
It seems the exhaust gasses have to barell across the side pod surfaces and turn up towards to cooling exit.
A conventional layout would not have put so much pressure on the sidepod inner surface.
After testing last year, Bridgestone said Sauber was kindest to its tires by some margin. Looks like however they differentiate their suspension design from the rest is paying off now, and Perez's driving must be compounding it.