Alpine A522

[RedNEO]

Yes its reminiscent of MP4-26 although the sidepods are completely different
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FODiFr_XsAY ... ame=medium

I wonder if that fence is there to have more control on the downwashing air over the ramp, or on the lateral airflow, or both, or neither

I also wonder if that single slot at the front of the sidepod serves that purpose

[diffuser]

That rear part of the sidepods brings me mp4-26 and blown diffuser vibes.

Yeah, wonder if they're gonna unleash those vents on the sidepods now.

Open the vents so they can turn the engine up?? Let’s Hope…

The thinking is that during the 1nd test, the side pod vents were open or none ofthe vents were open, clearily one set was taped over. We almost know to a certainty that the sidepod vents were closed at the bahrain test, well cause of the heat in Bahrain, we presume the upper side vents were open. So in the spirit of the blown diffuser, if you open the side pod vents now, that heats gets guided down to the diffuser.

To be fair, I have no clue.

[diffuser]

Apart from the lower lip missing on the inlet the frontal area of the sidepod is quite similar to the RB though ... and it kinda looks like they just raised the shoulder so to speak where the top of the B is, the remaining shape seems (almost) identical i'd say

RB18 has a lot more undercut + an extra downwards 'shoulder',, i'd say its way more similar to ferrari now.

Scarbs seems to think the redbull undercut is maybe a future direction

Our very own Blackout mentioned that all the way back at the Spain test. Good to see both him Scarbs are on the same page. I wonder how much something like that weighs?

[AR3-GP]

Weird. It's like a RB front sidepod, and a Ferrari rear sidepod.

[Blackout]

For Blackout

Thanks.
It seems they placed the front brake calipers "at 9 o'clock" (if the brake disk was a clock), last year it was at 3 o'clock... maybe for weight distribution or to have a simple duct (red arrow)... and it's simple and neatly packaged indeed, with those aforementioned outlets...

And that radiator duct flap (green arrow) shows there is plenty of space between the rad and the engine cover

[RedNEO]

RB18 has a lot more undercut + an extra downwards 'shoulder',, i'd say its way more similar to ferrari now.

Scarbs seems to think the redbull undercut is maybe a future direction

Our very own Blackout mentioned that all the way back at the Spain test. Good to see both him Scarbs are on the same page. I wonder how much something like that weighs?

A change like that could end up having effectively zero net gain in weight if they manage it correctly. If you’re cutting the top lip of the sidepod and effectively transferring it to the bottom lip

[diffuser]

Here you go, the side pod in all it's glory.

[PlatinumZealot]

Looks like its either better now to protect the rear wing area completely from the wake of the front wheels, or to help ingestion of air near the outer rear of the floor, why the slab sides have been adopted.

[diffuser]

Nice shot with the roll hoop off....

[AR3-GP]

For Blackout
https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... -su-1.webp

Thanks.
It seems they placed the front brake calipers "at 9 o'clock" (if the brake disk was a clock), last year it was at 3 o'clock... maybe for weight distribution or to have a simple duct (red arrow)... and it's simple and neatly packaged indeed, with those aforementioned outlets...

And that radiator duct flap (green arrow) shows there is plenty of space between the rad and the engine cover
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FOD0XJpVcAk ... ame=medium

I was just scrambling to point that out too. The answer to our brake vent curiosity. It looks like they keep the aero shaped holes because they are cooling the caliper with the air that cross flows.

[AR3-GP]

Scarbs seems to think the redbull undercut is maybe a future direction

Our very own Blackout mentioned that all the way back at the Spain test. Good to see both him Scarbs are on the same page. I wonder how much something like that weighs?

A change like that could end up having effectively zero net gain in weight if they manage it correctly. If you’re cutting the top lip of the sidepod and effectively transferring it to the bottom lip

In this case, the Alpine already has a very "late" sidepod inlet compared to other teams. So the upper lip will not go further rearwards imo. Only the bottom lip could be drawn forwards.

[GoranF1]

its more Ferrari esque than red bull. It has a scalloped shape to it at the slope. The side pod is basically the same dimensions internally im thinking, just has that Ferrari 'fence' to it.

Pat Fry is fast at copying others, but this is faster than expected.

[Blackout]

Our very own Blackout mentioned that all the way back at the Spain test. Good to see both him Scarbs are on the same page. I wonder how much something like that weighs?

A change like that could end up having effectively zero net gain in weight if they manage it correctly. If you’re cutting the top lip of the sidepod and effectively transferring it to the bottom lip

In this case, the Alpine already has a very "late" sidepod inlet compared to other teams. So the upper lip will not go further rearwards imo. Only the bottom lip could be drawn forwards.

Yes

[Blackout]

Maybe the aim of that fence is also to squeeze airflow there with the bulbous hot air outlet, like a venturi tunnel, and gain 2 seconds per lap
viewtopic.php?p=1039821#p1039821

[AeroDynamic]