GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: John S on July 08, 2010, 11:36:33 AM
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The answer appears to be yes according to the Renault boys in this article from pitpass.com. I'm sure we are all keeping our fingers crossed that they are right, however I am not encouraged by the turn 11, heavy car, reference. - Ooh, I just can't wait for the action to start. :yahoo:
The motivation behind the Silverstone facelift was to encourage overtaking and improve the show. So, can the simulations tell us whether the new arena section has hit the sweet spot? "On paper it certainly looks like there could be a couple of overtaking opportunities," says Alan Permane, Renault Chief Race Engineer. "Turn 16 is a good opportunity because there is a long drag from the low-speed turn 14, and turn 15 will be taken easily flat out. Turn 13 is also a possibility for overtaking, but it will depend how closely the cars can follow each other through turn 11 because turn 12 will be another flat-out corner. We expect turn 11 to be flat out on low fuel, but far more challenging with a heavy car."
So what impact will the five new corners have on the car's set-up this weekend? "In terms of downforce levels, it's difficult to make a comparison with last year because the car has evolved so much, but we're not expecting a massive change to the set-up," says Alan . "Our simulations show the average speed will be slightly higher at 230 km/h compared to 227 km/h in 2009, and the percentage of the lap spent at full throttle has also increased from 69% to 70%."
The simulation work carried out by the Renault team has also shown up the extra demands on the brakes compared to 2009. Although the percentage of the lap spent braking has reduced by 0.3%, the energy going through the braking system will be 2.3kW greater on the new layout with the big stops into turns 13 and 16.
Yet, no matter how accurate your simulations, there are some things they simply can't predict. Variables such as grip levels, bumps in the road and kerb characteristics cannot be known until the cars take to the track, so the simulations rely on average values. Likewise, the finer details set-up comes down to driver feel and there's no computer programme in the world that even comes close to an F1 driver's brain. So while our simulation tools set us on the right path, the real work will begin when practice starts on Friday morning.
Pitpass.com, Today.
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I would be surprised if there is a lot of overtaking. I think the drivers are conditioned to think passing is too difficult so they rarely even give it a go.
Lonny
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I would be surprised if there is a lot of overtaking. I think the drivers are conditioned to think passing is too difficult so they rarely even give it a go.
Lonny
Some of the kids have absolutely no fear trying to make 'unconventional' passes. I hope their engineers and principles don't calm them down any time soon!
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well now the race has been run, i thought there was a big increase in overtaking, and it made the race at Silverstone loads better :good:
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I'm with you, Hampster. I think it's an improvement without losing the spirit of the track. It's good that Silverstone has a lock on the race for the next decade!
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I'm with you, Hampster. I think it's an improvement without losing the spirit of the track. It's good that Silverstone has a lock on the race for the next decade!
so true you guys - being the first track to host a F1 GP way back in 1950, Silverstone is the spiritual home of F1...
...and it is a brilliant race track.
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Being an "Old Fart", I have a preference for the original layout, but it would be blindingly fast today. That said, the new layout seems quite good and they have eliminated the stupid chicane. I hate chicanes.
Lonny