F1technical.net

Back in testing earlier this year, some speculated that the teams have several options on where to blow the exhaust gases. Aside from sealing the diffuser, other options were the beam wing and the brake ducts.

How does a car benefit from blowing the brake ducts? Can it generate considerable downforce levels? Also, wouldn't it lead to overheating the brakes?

Thank you very much.

You don't blow the brake duct opening. If you look carefully, the teams all run lots of airfoils attached to the outside of the brake ducts. There's a small area that is unregulated, and they cram as many downforce generating elements in there as possible.

It probably does not generate obscene downforce levels, but it certainly generates a significant amount. More importantly, this downforce is unsprung. It acts directly on the wheel, as opposed to having to go through the chassis and springs. The main advantage of this is it reduces the pitch sensitivity, as the only movement will be from tyre flex. Done right, you will not heat the brakes appreciably by blowing these elements.

Ahh. Thank you very much!