BMW Sauber F1.08

[DarkSnape]

high resolution pictures LINK

[ginsu]

real cute how they taped up the diffuser section so you can't see what they've done this year.

although i did spot 'ferrariesque' wings attached directly to the rear hub. i guess it's legal since ferrari have been doing it for awhile on the front, but this is the first time i've seen them applied to the rear. anyway, should definitely help with supplementing the grip lost in the corners due to traction control.

[scarbs]

BMW have a McLaren\Ferrari like Diffuser with the extra channel on top of the usual side channels. They have also added a extra vane to the pod wing linking it to the flip up on the rear of the bargeboards. Looks like BMW have got the award for most intricate aero this year.


Scarbs...

Ps have you notices the front wing slot gap support (a silver element in the middle of the wing between the second and third flaps) is also a pitot tube..!

[DarkSnape]

i`m wondering if they will attach to the front wing the extra winglets like last year.

[futnaw]

[Principessa]

Roll-out today: http://www.f1technical.net/news/7992
More pics to follow in our gallery as soon as available.

[manchild]

On this pic http://www.f1fotos.be/launches2008/bmwl ... 20(10).jpg

Check the lower/bottom shape of break ducts. I mean, doesn't it look that they're venting front brakes trough there (inside, like Ferrari does on their rear brakes for two seasons? Outer fairing simply has no outlet at all. http://www.f1fotos.be/launches2008/bmwl ... %20(7).jpg

[mx_tifoso]

Fairings yes, but completely different than ones on other cars. Observe the front ones closely. They are not rounded but overlapping rim and at one point (looks like outer inlet and very smooth outlet).

I thought that no bodywork was permitted to portrude the overall wheel width (?). Or does it not portrude at all, and only goes a bit beyond the wheel/rim. Must be a extremely perfect fit in order for there to be no contact whatsoever between the fairing and the tyre. Though a puncture is very likely to happen as soon as there is wheel to wheel contact on track.

Nicely done winter work by the BMW crew.
Although they have departed from their previous "clean" look, and have gone a little the opposite direction.

[manchild]

I thought that no bodywork was permitted to portrude the overall wheel width (?)...

How come you didn't notice same issue with front fairings Ferrari used on F2007 and on F2008?

http://www.f1wolf.com/wp-content/upload ... assa-3.jpg

http://www.f1fotos.be/launches2008/ferr ... -5%20A.jpg

http://www.f1fotos.be/launches2008/ferr ... -4%20A.jpg

[DarkSnape]

"Rampf said, he would be disappointed if the car won't be faster than his predecessor by 0.5s "

Kubica in F1.08 was 0.588s faster then Heidfeld in F1.07 so far with the same set-up`s information from midday. This was reported by a Polish reporter at Valencia yesterday

[mx_tifoso]

How come you didn't notice same issue with front fairings Ferrari used on F2007 and on F2008?

http://www.f1wolf.com/wp-content/upload ... assa-3.jpg

http://www.f1fotos.be/launches2008/ferr ... -5%20A.jpg

http://www.f1fotos.be/launches2008/ferr ... -4%20A.jpg

I did notice this issue on all Ferrari's equipped with the front wheel fairings, but it just happens to be that just now on the F1.08 I noticed the probable regulation breach. Believe me, my vision and judgement are not blurred by my team preference.

BTW, I was googling around for the F1.08, and I stumbled upon a technical analysis by Autosport.com:

While to the side of these the front wheels sport fixed fairings, which had not been seen on the car up until this stage. Different in shape as the lower leading edge has a square shape, by putting the bodywork outside of the wheel rim, this is a step beyond what other teams have dared to with the wheel fairings.

Although within the rules as the fairing doesn't extend sideways beyond the car's maximum width or vertically below the rim, this might be seen a risk if the scrutineers don't agree with BMW's interpretation.

So it seems that there is no regulation breach for the time being, by both teams in question. Which IMO happens to be good for the sport, as it allows teams to continue with innovations all around the car, even though many areas have been heavily regulated and "frozen".

Autosport:Technical analysis of the BMW F1.08
Coincidentally written by our fellow member, Scarbs.

[DarkSnape]

EDIT:

According to f1today.nl these are times from 16.01 Valencia test:

1. R. Kubica -- BMW Sauber F1.08 -- 1:12.321 -- 105
2. N. Heidfeld -- BMW Sauber F1.07 -- 1:14.498 -- 74

2 seconds and... faster

http://www.f1today.nl/uitslagen/testses ... valenciana

[megz]

Whoa, thats unexpected. But wasn't there only 1 F1.08 Chassis to be used? Or maybe that were Toyota?

Dang tho.

[manchild]

1. R. Kubica -- BMW Sauber F1.08 -- 1:12.321 -- 105
2. N. Heidfeld -- BMW Sauber F1.07 -- 1:14.498 -- 74

2 seconds and... faster

I've always claimed that Kubica is much better driver than Heidfeld

[Spencifer_Murphy]

Hey check this out, seen at valencia today 22/01/08:


I'm guessing this kinda works how the big monocoque mounted vanes worked on last years car (before being immediately banned - I think at the french GP)