Fuente : Renault F1 Team
http://www.renaultf1.com/

FORMULA 1 - RENAULT: Istanbul uncovered, F1 style…

/noticias.info/ Although Fernando and Giancarlo still haven’t taken a lap of the track in the R25, Istanbul is already familiar territory for the team’s engineers.


In one week’s time, the Renault F1 Team racing cars will be installed in the Istanbul garages. The mechanics will begin fettling and preparing the vehicles ahead of the opening practice sessions, and will set-up the R25 according to basic settings established at Enstone several weeks ago, and that have been honed in the intervening time. Pat Symonds, the team’s engineering director, will already have a clear vision of the possible race strategies that can be used, having calculated them according to the predicted fuel consumption of the V10, the overtaking opportunities and the length of the pit-lane. More than a million scenarios will have been evaluated by the time the final decisions are taken!

For the Renault F1 Team, everything begins with a set of data which provides the circuit’s basic information: the lengths and radii of the corners, as well as the changes in elevation. Since last winter, simulations at Enstone have been conducted to determine two key performance factors: the level of downforce, and the gear ratios required for the circuit. “You need to start early,” explains Pat. “For certain parts, like gear ratios, an eight-week lead time is required for production.” Once the team has a relatively accurate idea of the circuit’s general demands and has mapped a 3D racing line, they start focusing on the nitty gritty: suspension settings plus cooling and braking demands are taken into account. Gradually, the initial set-up for Friday morning’s first runs takes shape. “We enter the characteristics of the R25 into the computer with a basic set-up. Then as we alter the downforce levels and the gear ratios, we see how the lap time changes and narrow things down to the most effective set-up.”

Back at their base, Michelin’s engineers have been working on the circuit’s characteristics too. The lateral and longtitudinal forces, as well as the surface of the asphalt and predicted temperatures, are all taken into account. As usual, this mean the Renault F1 Team has two options of tyre type to choose from during Friday practice.

The set-ups of the cars might be quite different from one team to another on Friday morning. Gradually, they will all evolve towards a similar compromise – but the competitiveness of each team will also be dictated by their ability to adapt and react quickly to unexpected circumstances.

In spite of all this preparation, though, the F1 teams are still heading into the unknown. Although the team has masses of data at its fingertips, there are still a number of unknown factors that limit the effectiveness of any simulations – none of the data can be 100% accurate. For example, the grip level of the brand new circuit may be different to the estimated level. Furthermore, the nature of the kerbs – and whether or not the drivers can use them at the apex and exit of the corners – can have a big influence on lap time… and on car set-up.

And there’s one final thing: Fernando and Giancarlo need to learn the track! That, though, should only take them between five and ten laps! notas_de_prensa_archivo