F1 at the World Series By Renault

[adavidm]

Hi all,

Here are some photos I took at Donnington a couple of weeks ago. I have a couple of questions about the F1 cars if thats ok?

http://picasaweb.google.com/adavidm/Wor ... enault2007

Firstly, the R26 diffuser looks quite simple. Have they swapped out the 'proper' one for a dummy here? I would assume that Renault would not wan't the public snapping close-ups of a competitive design?

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/adavidm/RvbMW9rsq ... C01087.JPG" />

The tyres also appear to be non-racing variants. I assume this is so the team can't benefit from testing? They did have some used, grooved, Potenzas there as showpieces and people were peeling the marbles off as keepsakes!

<img src="http://lh3.google.com/adavidm/RvbM6Nrsq ... C01090.JPG" />

Second. the tubo renault (don't know the designation, sorry), doesn't appear to have anything to speak of, diffuser-wise. Is this because more work was done underbody and the diffuser was less important, or had aero just not got to that stage yet?

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/adavidm/RvbMd9rsq ... C01096.JPG" />

Thirdly, on the picture with the R26 on the lift, you can see just how complex the bodywork is around that area. Does all that complexity hide in the aero "shadow" of something further forward, or is that area just naturally messy from an airflow point of view?

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/adavidm/RvbM89rsq ... C01092.JPG" />

Finally, aren't Senna's JPS Lotus's the best looking F1 cars ever!?

<img src="http://lh4.google.com/adavidm/RvbRrdrsq ... C00045.JPG" />

Thanks for your patience!

adavidm

EDIT - Inlined some thumbnail pictures, originals in the first link

[benjabulle]

The R26 : the diffuser is the good one, maybe not the last type but that's all.
The Renault turbo : you show the RE40 from 1983, first year of the flat bottom, they had a huge diffuser of all the width but it must be easier to run without it (don't have to repair it), it's the same for another Renault they show, the RE60.

[mx_tifoso]

The tyres also appear to be non-racing variants. I assume this is so the team can't benefit from testing?

The tyres on the R26 were "wet" tyres. Used for wet conditions or very damp. I have noticed that they are mostly used, when not raining, during stationary moments and moving around in the garage or paddock.

Another personal conclusion is that they don't want to use good racing tyres for non-race events. Theres no use to that IMO. So wet-tyres are put to good use for non-race events.

Nice pics.

[adavidm]

The R26 : the diffuser is the good one, maybe not the last type but that's all.

Ah, thanks. I just thought that the teams would guard their diffuser designs carefully, maybe even tweaking the showcars for disinformation. I suppose there are just too many photographers at the races to bother hiding them.

The Renault turbo : you show the RE40 from 1983, first year of the flat bottom, they had a huge diffuser of all the width but it must be easier to run without it (don't have to repair it), it's the same for another Renault they show, the RE60.

That makes sense, the car does seem to be missing something.

Thanks for your answers. I have added a couple more pictures to the gallery, showing some of the other classics that were out there, as well as the engine from one of the Le Man prototypes. Did Renault use the V6 from the Le Mans cars in F1 or vice versa?

adavidm

[adavidm]

Ah thanks, I thought rain tyres were much more deeply grooved then that. They did appear to be barely used, as if they were just for rolling around the paddock, like you said.

Another personal conclusion is that they don't want to use good racing tyres for non-race events. Theres no use to that IMO. So wet-tyres are put to good use for non-race events.

Nice pics.

I thought about that, but surely the teams wouldn't be allowed to run race tyres at these events? Otherwise all the teams would have 'exhibition' days at Siverstone, Monza or Spa every weekend!

I thought of another question, sorry! Renault were running several 'taxis' around Donnington after all of the racing was over (and the marshalls had gone home, oddly). A couple of the cars were twin-seat f1 cars, but they seemed fairly old, in my opinion. Has anyone got any information about Renault's F1 taxis? I may have been misled on the age because the cars were Renault yellow with few if any, sponsers.

adavidm

[adavidm]

sorry for the OT, but does anyone else see the sponsorship potential?
<img src="http://lh4.google.com/adavidm/RvbdYdrsq ... C00002.JPG" />

[wrk]

yes if your BOSCH or NGK