Getting serious in Bahrain

[ginsu]

Macca join everybody else with the sidepod shields, aimed at preventing the flow from separating around the extreme curvature of the sidepods.



Also, new front wing for Toyota, copying the Ferrari/Renault design directly, although, I like the interpretation on the wing roots, looks a bit smoother, should be stronger as well:



Also, anybody have any idea what they are doing? Spinning up the wheel to adjust the steering?

[mistareno]

If there is one on each front wheel, I'd imagine it is to prevent brake disc damage or distortion during cool down.

If the disc remained stationary during cool down, it may fuse to the pad or deteriorate the disc/pad surface.

The back brakes might not be so critical.

[manchild]

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think that CF discs can distort as steel discs can if instantly cooled without rotation. I think Renault crew is just adjusting something-testing while car is static.

[DaveKillens]

To me it makes sense to heat up the wheel and drivetrain bearings before going on track. And once returned, to use them to gradually cool off the components.

[Ciwai]

it might be to hurl small rocks or bolts at unsuspecting bystanders.

[joseff]

Could they be testing a new tyre warmer now that blankets are banned?

[Iciano]

Im most likely totally off here, but could it be for scrubbing the tire before the car goes out on track?

[manchild]

I think it definitely has something to do with attempts to increase their performance in a single lap which was the main problem for them so far. Scrubbing tyre or causing friction in order to warm it up could be the answer.

[allan]

i didn't know blankets are banned now

[allan]

1 F. Alonso 01:30.994 73
2 L. Hamilton 01:31.094 53
3 F. Massa 01:31.718 52
4K. Räikkönen 01:31.867 100
5 H. Kovalainen 01:32.032 86
6 R. Barrichello 01:32.115 129
7 J. Button 01:32.137 78
8 D. Coulthard 01:32.220 73
9 N. Piquet jr. 01:32.334 102
10 N. Heidfeld 01:32.451 65
11 R. Kubica 01:32.475 95
12 A. Davidson 01:32.553 126
13 F. Montagny 01:32.917 110
14 M. Webber 01:33.034 73
15 J. Trulli 01:33.062 104
16 S. Speed 01:33.255 60

[joseff]

i didn't know blankets are banned now

Uh... was it now or next year?

[ginsu]

I haven't heard about blankets being banned before. Is that true?

Also, another speculative reason why they might be spinning up the tire like that would be to balance the wheel with all the rotating components intact. It kinda makes sense because balancing the wheel when it's off the car isn't completely right, you would want to do it with all the rotating components together, brake disc, spindle, etc.

[Tp]

Not sure if this has been posted before.

Formula 1 Winter Testing - 24.02.07 at Bahrain

[JimmyK]

i didn't know blankets are banned now

I'm not sure... if they are banned it hasn't stopped them using them in testing (e.g. on the above video)

[zac510]

Also, anybody have any idea what they are doing? Spinning up the wheel to adjust the steering?

The thing that is attached to the wheel hub and runs around the rear of the tyre is a Kistler sensor for measuring force. I'm not sure what part the 2 stroke motor plays in this but they may be related.