3rd Winter test, Barcelona 2013

**Hornet** · 28th February 2013, 08:54

Thanks for the pics. Red Bull no surprise there, with their blown diffuser, they can run aggressive rake

**Massimo181** · 28th February 2013, 08:54

When you look at the Redfool it is pitched down at the front and raised ride height at the back and the rest of the cars above are very low to the ground?

**Bubbles** · 28th February 2013, 08:55

Is it just me or does the Merc have a short wheelbase?

EDIT: I'm no expert, but I wonder if the extra rake actually helps the downwash effect -- because it reduces the drop. Just a thought.

**Rob** · 28th February 2013, 08:58

Originally Posted by Massimo181

When you look at the Redfool it is pitched down at the front and raised ride height at the back and the rest of the cars above are very low to the ground?

They use a high rear rake to "seal" the difusser. And Sebs driving style ises abit f roll oversteer on corner entry and this helps aswell. Think we have gone lower this year too help stabilze the rear and give nice planted rear on entry and braking.

**mirafiori** · 28th February 2013, 08:59

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Guys, do you remember on which day last year did Red Bull bring out the exhaust ramp? Was it the last day of the last test?

I think it was the last day of 2012 testing, the Red Bull team were very careful not to show the back end of the car. They had a cover for the back of the car, for when it came into the pitts

**Bubbles** · 28th February 2013, 09:00

Felipe fastest right now.

**Massimo181** · 28th February 2013, 09:03

Originally Posted by Rob

They use a high rear rake to "seal" the difusser. And Sebs driving style ises abit f roll oversteer on corner entry and this helps aswell. Think we have gone lower this year too help stabilze the rear and give nice planted rear on entry and braking.

Thanks

**bluesilhouettes** · 28th February 2013, 09:06

Originally Posted by Hornet

Thanks for the pics. Red Bull no surprise there, with their blown diffuser, they can run aggressive rake

I think they're trying channel the air from sidepod (below the exhaust) to the rear end of the floor to make the diffuser work better.

**Forzi** · 28th February 2013, 09:07

No hublot vents so far.

**Hornet** · 28th February 2013, 09:09

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Is it just me or does the Merc have a short wheelbase?

EDIT: I'm no expert, but I wonder if the extra rake actually helps the downwash effect -- because it reduces the drop. Just a thought.

Well, rake is to increase the size of the diffuser, IF you can effectively seal the side of it. The idea of diffuser is to create a large volume at the rear which will have low pressure, thus accelerating the air flowing underneath the car. If you can raise the rear of the car, you can create a large volume, provided that you can seal the side. Otherwise, its counter productive.

The only way the car can seal the side of the diffuser is to use the exhaust gas.

**tifosi1993** · 28th February 2013, 09:11

**medeni73** · 28th February 2013, 09:11

Caterham and Williams have their exhaust ramp taken off...

**Bubbles** · 28th February 2013, 09:13

Originally Posted by Hornet

Well, rake is to increase the size of the diffuser, IF you can effectively seal the side of it. The idea of diffuser is to create a large volume at the rear which will have low pressure, thus accelerating the air flowing underneath the car. If you can raise the rear of the car, you can create a large volume, provided that you can seal the side. Otherwise, its counter productive.

The only way the car can seal the side of the diffuser is to use the exhaust gas.

I can understand all that. What I was talking about was the rake having an influence on the downwash since it reduces the slope of the sidepod as it goes towards the rear.

**tifosi1993** · 28th February 2013, 09:23

Originally Posted by bluesilhouettes

(From Day 3)

**Forzi** · 28th February 2013, 09:24

F1 testing in Barcelona: grey, cold and windy with rain at times today and Fri (9C). Warmer with sunshine & light winds for w/end (14C).

The track is drying up lil by lil, but the low temperature isn't really helping...