Sauber C31 Ferrari

[Huntresa]

I take it the new front wing first seen at the Barcelona tests purpose is vortex generation to avoid tyre drag?

Or have I missed something?

Isnt that always the purpose?

[Tozza Mazza]

This wing seems to take it one step further than we've seen before.

[PhantomPoster]

Sauber Update Analysis

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via AutoSport

Interesting comment about those sidepod winglet things. GA suggests they route air upwards? From the real pictures I've seen they look like they flick downwards. Am I missing something?

[Owen.C93]

I think it separates the air so the boundary layers is smaller or just has less of an effect on the rest of the airflow.

[PhantomPoster]

Separates the air? So you agree with GA? To me it looks like a lift profile to STOP the air separating. I would have thought it's there to help their exhaust solution.

[bhallg2k]

Interesting comment about those sidepod winglet things. GA suggests they route air upwards? From the real pictures I've seen they look like they flick downwards. Am I missing something?

Realize that these are the thoughts of Gary Anderson. Take everything he says with a grain of salt and invert it and then you might get something with some semblance of reality.

[marcush.]

is this the equivalent of a leading edge flap on a wingprofile?

To me it looks like the front corner treatment of trucks:

[Crucial_Xtreme]

The vane points the airflow downwards, to drive greater flow over the exhaust exit. In isolation this vane actually creates lift, as is common with F1 aero this counter intuitive solution creates more global downforce because of its downstream effect, than the small loss in downforce its creates on its own.

Scarbs Sauber Exhaust Sidepod Development

[n smikle]

It just breaks the low pressure zone around the top leading edge of the side pod by directing the air along the surface. A simple guide vane.

The drag is reduced and side pod lift reduced with it.

[FrukostScones]

large DRS-flap for Monte-Carlo

[PNSD]

is this the equivalent of a leading edge flap on a wingprofile?

To me it looks like the front corner treatment of trucks:

I asked this question in 2006 when Honda and other teams had those large sidepod winglets.

Since then I asked a former automotive aerodynamicist (my old lecturer!) and he said one of the reason's is to keep the truck's clean. They capture a lot of dirt and dust from the engine, road, other trucks. Keeps the cab steps clean too, and of course for image purposes for haulage companies.

edit - However, he did say they more than likely provided some other aero effect.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Great high res picture of the C31 front bulkhead. I don't see the strut bar present in Spain.

Right click>view image


Sauber Floor

via Lurk

Exhaust Detail

[FakeAlonso]

[italian]

Interesting...

via AMuS

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Interesting...

via AMuS

They've moved their radiators. You can see the new position in the exhaust picture I posted earlier