Skip to content

Renault revises sidepod shape

By on

Renault have been very quick introducing new bits on its R29 contender, and part of their rear end update at China was a heavily revised sidepod ending. In sharp contrast with version seen at the launch, the new sidepods have more openings to provide extra cooling. As such the team could slim down the bodywork quite a bit and ditch its undercut hot air channel between the rear wheels.

A disadvantage of allowing more hot air to escape earlier on in the air stream, the sidepod components are exposed to much more heat. After initial running at Bahrain today, the team decided to fit additional titanium plates close to the exhaust to prevent the bodywork from burning.

Comments

By gcdugas on 25-04-2009 at 05:23

You write: "A disadvantage of allowing more hot air to escape earlier on in the air stream, the sidepod components are exposed to much more heat......" I can't see this. Either it will be exposed to the heat on the inside as the air is trapped or it is exposed to the hot air on the outside as the heated air escapes. What difference does it make which side of the bodywork the heat is on? It is still the same amount of BTUs/calories or whatever unit you select. On is heat on the inside (and potentially allowing more heat build-up) and the other is heat on the outside. Either way, I can't see opening up the bodywork making things hotter. I suspect the Ti sheet metal is just quicker to fab for the occasion.

By Anonymous on 25-04-2009 at 08:55

You write: "A disadvantage of allowing more hot air to escape earlier on in the air stream, the sidepod components are exposed to much more heat......" I can't see this. Either it will be exposed to the heat on the inside as the air is trapped or it is exposed to the hot air on the outside as the heated air escapes. What difference does it make which side of the bodywork the heat is on? It is still the same amount of BTUs/calories or whatever unit you select. On is heat on the inside (and potentially allowing more heat build-up) and the other is heat on the outside. Either way, I can't see opening up the bodywork making things hotter. I suspect the Ti sheet metal is just quicker to fab for the occasion.

By Steven on 25-04-2009 at 10:57

gcdugas, of course I mean the outside of the sidepod shell. It's no secret that many teams layer the inside with titanium sheets to protect the carbon from the heat. As the heat now exposes the outside, we can see the necessity of the Ti on outside. Sorry for the unclarity.

By Saribro on 25-04-2009 at 19:59

I didn't know about the titanium sheet either, but yeah, from the context and the pic, I too, assumed you meant the outside shell.

Add comment

Please register or log in with your account to comment on this article