Ferrari plans aero update for Bahrain

[TheStig]

Ferrari has not been idle on the car front since Sepang and last Saturday, tester Marc Gene evaluated some aerodynamic elements in a secret test session at Vairano.

The plan for this year is that we should have continuous updates throughout the season," revealed Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa. "We aim to improve the package step by step with changes coming for almost every race and in Bahrain we will run some new aero parts."

TheStig

[Scott]

Secret test session - does that mean that they aren't counting it as a testing day?

[TheStig]

I read today,that they plan to hold fire on the introduction of the new aero.So we wont see anything new in Bahrain.

TheStig

[Scott]

'cept maybe that electronic lolipop

[TheStig]

I must say i missed the electronic lollipop,have you anything more on it at all?

TheStig

[Chameleon]

Secret test session - does that mean that they aren't counting it as a testing day?

It was straight line testing apparently, Scotty.  Doesn't count towards the testing allocation.

[cosworth151]

I read today,that they plan to hold fire on the introduction of the new aero.So we wont see anything new in Bahrain.

TheStig

Guess maybe the changes didn't work as well as they hoped.

[Chameleon]

Well, they will be introducing some aero tweaks apparently.  What they have decided against at this stage is the hole they have cut in the nose - because they don't want to compromise reliability.

Now I know this is probably a silly question, but how will a hole in the nose affect the reliability of the cars (let alone be of aerodynamic benefit)?  Methinks they're playing some devious Italian game or other...

[cosworth151]

I think the small hole in the current nose is used to cool some electronics. Maybe the mods caused problems there.

[Chameleon]

I knew it was a silly question.  But I still prefer my Italian conspiracy theory. 

[Dare]

the culprit

[Scott]

That looks like quite a bit more developement than a hole to cool electronics.  I think it's a bit ugly, especially at the angle of the picture, but  wonder how the aero is improved.

[Chameleon]

The photo doesn't include the alleged hole in the nose, which is supposed to be right where the Bridgestone logo is at present.  I have seen elsewhere an explanation that makes quite a lot of sense.  We have been presuming that the hole is an intake but it is more likely that it is an outlet.  If a corresponding hole is cut ahead of the logo but underneath the nose, it would act as an extractor for the central section of the front wing, thereby increasing its aerodynamic efficiency.

This would be a similar idea to the sixties brainwave of cutting a hole in the bonnet (hood) to allow air passing through the radiator an outlet, thus reducing drag.  I still don't see how it affects reliability, however. 

[cosworth151]

That way, when David Hobbs says, "The Ferrari just went kablammo!" the team can blame it on the hole.

[TheStig]

I have found a reference photograph of the proposed nosecone with the hole that has been tested here:

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2008/mal/f1-2008-mal-xp-0595.jpg

Hope this helps the topic

TheStig