Lotus E20 Renault

[skgoa]

A "fluidic device" is just a bunch of AIR. A movable flap is the very definition of movable aero. Yes, even inside the airbox.

[bhall]

There's no fluidic switch. It's always "on." But, it's only "effective" at a certain pressure threshold.

[FlYiNgIcEmAn]

Analysis from Scrabs
http://scarbsf1.com/blog1/2012/09/01/lo ... -analysis/

[MarkedOne8]

That only creates drag, but nothing positive.This would be Kimi's third race in a row runing that system and gaining no benefits.

I was thinking the same thing, and with races passing by without using it (and possibly losing points not benefitting of the possible advantage it gives them), it would become a useless investment for the last races, or it might be too late to use it as it will be banned for next year. But then again, someone said that the device might avoid the rules that ban DDRS.

Lotus' completely legal REACTIVE ride height system - banned.
Mercedes' completely ilegal DDRS -not banned.
Many of Red Bull's tricks have been used by Red Bull themselves, banned, but too late.
I think it would be equaly fair/unfair to leave Lotus' "device" in 2013.Also, it looks like it is completely legal even in 2013 rules and it has nothing to do with Double DRS or DRS.

As for roll-hoop intakes, I don't know how much they cost per lap, but they are far from useful.
I've been thinking... If their "device" has two benefits.One is more downforce at lower speeds, the other one is less drag at higher speeds...right?So, what if they uninstall vertical pylon, and leave the beam wing tubes.They will still have more downforce at lower speeds, only compensating the effect on straights.

[AnthonyG]

I think the problem of the system is not evaluating, but setting it up right.

[raymondu999]

Yes, and if they're activating it via fluidic switch, the weather too. If the air is cooler and denser, they could run the risk of the switch activating earlier - if the air is more rarefied they could then have the system activating later.

[MarkedOne8]

I agree.Activating later is not problem.You just lose some time, but it is already gain considering the case if you don't run system at all.
On the other side, you don't want to have major oversteering dead in the middle of the corner.

[Richard]

This thread is intended for discussion of actual features of the car.

Comments about driver selection have been moved to the team thread viewtopic.php?f=15&t=12240&view=unread#unread

Comments about Monza have been moved to the race thread viewtopic.php?f=13&t=13371&view=unread#unread

[Forza]

@adamcooperf1
F1 Lotus tech boss James Allison confirms that the DDRS 'Device' won't be raced before Suzuka

“Although we would like to have it at Monza – because it is the type of circuit that rewards such a thing – we don’t have the DRS device configured to cope with the Monza level of downforce,” said Allison. “So it is not even on the table. In Singapore you won’t see it either, because it’s too high a downforce circuit with insufficient straights for it to be worthwhile. The earliest you might see it now is Suzuka.”

Team boss Eric Boullier added: “Quite a few interesting developments are still in the pipeline and they’ll be implemented later in the year. At this time of the year, the team usually starts focusing almost only on its next car. This is not the case this year, as we’ll develop the E20 until the very last race. And that won’t compromise the design of the E21.”

Link

[stefan_]

This is ridiculous, they ended up having some useless pipes and scoops around the car. What is the point in investing in such a device if you are using it 2 races in a season. But at the end of the day, they know better.

[zyphro]

After all that hype, a bitter disappointment.

[RB7ate9]

This is ridiculous, they ended up having some useless pipes and scoops around the car. What is the point in investing in such a device if you are using it 2 races in a season. But at the end of the day, they know better.

Considering the length of the back half of the season, starting in Suzuka may not be so bad. Considering the Tilke-o-dromes of India, Korea, Abu Dhabi, and the new Austin track, as well as the sweeping nature of Brazil, it may see more than 2 races.

[ParanoiD]

so next year car is E21...

[MarkedOne8]

so next year car is E21...

How do you know that?

About "Device":
Suzuka - probably
Yeongam - I give it 80% chance
New Delhi - 90% chance, very likely
Yas Marina - yes, of course, because there are more slow mechanical than fast aerodynamic turns
Austin - not sure, but system will be more developed till then, so very likely to be there, too
São Paulo - pretty much the same as for Austin

[raymondu999]

so next year car is E21...

How do you know that?

Team boss Eric Boullier added: “Quite a few interesting developments are still in the pipeline and they’ll be implemented later in the year. At this time of the year, the team usually starts focusing almost only on its next car. This is not the case this year, as we’ll develop the E20 until the very last race. And that won’t compromise the design of the E21.”