Dust - Any influence?

[stevegek]

Hi guys,

Saw a picture of Renault and how much Dust was on the car after a couple of runs. Getting dust on places you don't want it could have huge conscequences. So I wonder, are F1 cars built for these kind of conditions?

Can we see an increased number of technical failures this weekend during the Indian GP?

[raymondu999]

I think the primary issue will be ducts - whether it will clog the meshes that are put on brake ducts that were put on to keep marbles out; or maybe into sidepods/airbox

[N12ck]

Dust = less adhesion with the road = less grip = slower laptime, so yes indeed it does have an affect, however mechanical failures due to dust I doubt, unless an air intake gets clogged - which is highly unlikely

[PlatinumZealot]

The engine pays a slight price as well.

I reallly wonder if they have any of those water trucks to wash the dust off the track.

[mx_tifoso]

Strictly speaking, if there is dust on track it is because they driver past some curbs and into the dirt, correct?

And I doubt they have any engine worries because they already have experience, seeing how special filters have always been developed for Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. This is nothing.

[Steven]

It looks pretty bad indeed around this circuit. This could be especially troublesome for overtaking moves, as going off-line will likely cost a lot of grip.
As such, I would expect only the DRS to provide any overtaking moves, which is a bit sad.

[Giblet]

Bahrain sprays a gel down on the sandiest areas upwind to keep the dust and sand down for the weekend, maybe India should consider the same for next year.

[mep]

Dust and sand is probably not the same material.
I expect sand is much worse for the engine whereas it doesn't matter when there comes some dust into it.

[strad]

Well dust will screw with the cylinder walls...If fine it can pack into the radiator fins and hurt cooling..traction is obviously compromised.
I am amazed the couldn't be bothered washing the track off after the finished construction. Why doesn't Bernie and the FIA demand better?
One regular water truck..one with a sideways jet and a street sweeper that sweeps and vacuums..come on.

[Richard]

Strad - I think you'd find it a bit more extensive than the capability of a street sweeper and a hose.

This is a new track in a middle of a huge construction site. The dust will blow in as quick as the sweepers can remove it. What it needs is a monsoon season and a chance for the vegetation to grow to bind the soil.

I must admit that I'm surprised they haven't follow the modern convention of using astro turf or concrete in place of grass so close to the track.

[manmeetvirdi]

I also think it’s cool that you throw up a bit of dust when you go off-line - that’s how racing should be: there should be grass and dirt when you go off the track

--Lewis Hamilton

[Mr Alcatraz]

This is a new track in a middle of a huge construction site.

Perhaps the dust problem will decrease for the race being that it is on a Sunday. Or do these freakin' guys work 7/24 on their building projects?

[Lycoming]

I seem to recall valencia being similarly dusty during friday practice this year; though having support races helps clear the dust somewhat