Renault R31

[marekk]

Well the exhaust looks the same as the pics on page 85. Note again, the crossover pipe incorporated into the exhaust. Not your normal F1 exhaust ..

What do you think, what's possible gains can this connection of exhaust pipes give to R31 ?

[Boost]

Well the exhaust looks the same as the pics on page 85. Note again, the crossover pipe incorporated into the exhaust. Not your normal F1 exhaust ..

What do you think, what's possible gains can this connection of exhaust pipes give to R31 ?

Didn't think you needed a crossover or link pipe with a flat plane v8. The two halves behave as two individual 4 cylinder units.

[BreezyRacer]

Well the exhaust looks the same as the pics on page 85. Note again, the crossover pipe incorporated into the exhaust. Not your normal F1 exhaust ..

What do you think, what's possible gains can this connection of exhaust pipes give to R31 ?

Didn't think you needed a crossover or link pipe with a flat plane v8. The two halves behave as two individual 4 cylinder units.

It COULD be that they use the pipe to balance pulsations from left and right exits .. I don't know. A WELL PLACED crossover pipe can extend the torque range of a motor, usually at the expense of peak HP. It might even make it more fuel efficient. Of course that's a very general thing for me to say and only Renault know what they are up to with this. But it has to be the only car on the grid with a crossover pipe.

[Harvey]

Firstly, how could they get away with a X-over pipe if they're only allowed one exit per bank of cylinders? Secondly, why would a X-over pipe have a number of slotted holes in the top of it? Thirdly, have you actually seen that it IS in fact a pipe that goes all the way under the chassis connecting both runs of exhaust, or are members of this forum jumping wildly to a false conclusion, again?

Ever considered that it could just be a bracket to hold the end of the pipe steady relative to the leading edge of the floor...?

[BreezyRacer]

Firstly, how could they get away with a X-over pipe if they're only allowed one exit per bank of cylinders? Secondly, why would a X-over pipe have a number of slotted holes in the top of it? Thirdly, have you actually seen that it IS in fact a pipe that goes all the way under the chassis connecting both runs of exhaust, or are members of this forum jumping wildly to a false conclusion, again?

Ever considered that it could just be a bracket to hold the end of the pipe steady relative to the leading edge of the floor...?

Damn! Sorry but I was only pointing what I saw in the pic. Good catch on the slots so I guess it couldn't be a crossover pipe, and I wasn't aware that I was suggesting an illegal layout. Most likely like you say, a brace.

[Pierce89]

If Bobby Kubica was in the seat they would be consistently on the podium right now. I don't think Petrov got that much better... I just think he has a less competitive teamate to challenge him. Kubica was always signifcantly further up the order than petrov last year... I dont think this is a secret to renault though... Maybe.... (just a thought) they should've given Grossjean a shot at the seat this year... he seems to be doing very well on the pirelli tires in gp2. I like heidfeld but he's nothing but an average driver... A decent update and a driver with really good talent (Hamilton, Alonso, Kubica) and this thing will win a race.

you do know that out of 07 08 & 09, 08 was the only year Kubica had more points?right?I think Kubby is probably better, but not by that much.

[PlatinumZealot]

Just want to make this clear.. that thing is NOT a cross pipe. It is merely a support for the exhaust.

Right click, view image, then hold control button and roll the mouse wheel to zoom in:

You see not a continuous seam weld, but actually intermittent welds joining the pipe to the exhaust - This is proof that there is no sealing of anything. Next, up that same supporting pipe has slotted perforations on its top surface - no exhaust pipe would be perforated like that. This thing is clearly just a support brace or some kind of multifunction housing.

[adrianjordan]

Have to say they've ruined the livery by adding over-sized Lotus logos to the sides of the car...

[Carlo's]

Have to say they've ruined the livery by adding over-sized Lotus logos to the sides of the car...

[madly]

Some HiRes photos:

[madly]

Have to say they've ruined the livery by adding over-sized Lotus logos to the sides of the car...

I have to agree. It WAS one of the best looking cars on the grid.

[adrianjordan]

Have to say they've ruined the livery by adding over-sized Lotus logos to the sides of the car...

I have to agree. It WAS one of the best looking cars on the grid.

I'm sat here thinking "We get it guys, you want to be called Lotus".

[Carlo's]

[JMN]

[bot6]

Looks like some kind of fuel leak... Hope Nick is OK.

Renault says: "Nick's car catching fire was not scheduled, cause being investigated"

Seriously? Not scheduled?

EDIT: More from Renault:

Renault says: "Right hand exhaust temp was very high from when Nick left pits. It was thought to have been a sensor problem. Rather evidently, it wasn't"