2012 Formula One Belgian Grand Prix

Kennett Ylitalo · Aug 30, 2012

That was.. wow.. Didn't really think it was just divided airflow, i thought there was similar ~~air"flap"~~ fluid switch as merc used in the front wing working just on the pressure. This more like overflow port.. And the position in both sides of rollhoop, nicely creates automatic yaw correction, the effect decreases when you turn so DF increases..... Nice and simple...

EDIT: Maybe vortex generator after the overflow port in the main tunnel, that could start creating enough pressure difference to start driving air to the narrower channel...And they need to come up with a name, it's not at all DRS so.. And it's 2013 legal so Lotus are looking really really strong...

Hampus Andersson · Aug 30, 2012

Same here, i never thought it was simply air speed and pressure differences.
Must be a total nightmare to tune in.

Darren Bentley · Aug 31, 2012

well it's raining

Kartik Sri Harsha · Aug 31, 2012

Rain Rain Go away...

Darren Bentley · Aug 31, 2012

haha Ted Kravitz always makes me laugh

Tony Holder · Aug 31, 2012

Is it gonna rain Saturday and Sunday?

Darren Bentley · Aug 31, 2012

Tony Holder said:
Is it gonna rain Saturday and Sunday?

supposed to be dry, but according to F1 it wasn't supposed to be heavy rain this session

Hampus Andersson · Aug 31, 2012

Friday, Rain

Saturday, dry, cloudy 13-15 degrees celcius, quite cold but should be dry through the Qualifying and FP3. Possibly a very light shower, probably not even weather for inters.
(0.1mm rain)

Sunday, Great weather, 17-19C and nice and sunny, 9-10% clouds.

Looks like Sat and Sun might be sunny so FP3 will be the session where you really have to make the most out of i think.

Here´s weather forecast from SPA Franchorchamps
http://www.myweather2.com/Motor-Racing/Belgium/Spa-Francorchamps-Circuit.aspx?sday=2

Kennett Ylitalo · Aug 31, 2012

Lotus F-Duct exits. It might be possible that they have third tunnel leading to starter hole above the diffuser. So the air get channeled more to the narrow channel and away from starter hole and the middle tunnel has constant ratio of air going thru it. If that is true then it has even more effect, in low speed the air gets channeled to act as doublediffuser sealing the air and at high speeds the rear wing is stalled but at the same time, diffuser returns to normal action... And this all without any moving parts and legal.

There is a theory that it still has some relation with DRS so that the small openings shown on the picture would activate with DRS but i don't think so.. With a third tunnel it gets more complex but it has certain logic in it then...

Kennett Ylitalo · Aug 31, 2012

Edit: http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/lotus-e20-2012.46508/page-6#post-1234032 Discussion about Lotus E20... Forgot that we have a dedicated thread for each car..

Darren Bentley · Aug 31, 2012

Webber with another one of these

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/08/31/webber-fiveplace-penalty-gearbox-change-spa/

Hampus Andersson · Aug 31, 2012

Probably the most action packed FP2 i've ever seen.

Kartik Sri Harsha · Sep 1, 2012

Lotus Decided Not to run DDRS at SPA
http://en.espnf1.com/lotusf1/motorsport/story/87313.html

SVP Skins · Sep 1, 2012

Want Hamilton to win but i think thisis how it will be
Qualy:
1. Hamilton
2. Alonso
3. Raikkonen
4. Vettel
5. Button
6. Grosjean
Race:
1. Alonso
2. Hamilton
3. Vettel
4. Raikkonen
5. Schumacher
6. Button

Shane Butler · Sep 1, 2012

Watch out for the Mercedes

If it rains on race day then for some reason I can see them winning it. Also Maldonado could be in with a shout aswell (thats if he doesnt crash into anything lol). The Williams seemed to be very balanced in free practice from what I saw. Plus it seems to have brilliant mechanical grip in the slow corners.(Spain sector 3 for example - Maldonado made up something like 6-7 tenths over the other drivers through that low speed sector in qualifying).

Thats if it is a fully wet race. If its dry then I think that Hamilton, Vettel or Alonso could win. I dont see the Lotuses doing much as I think it will be too cold for their car to challenge for a victory. (Bahrain, Valencia, Hungary - all over 25 degrees and Lotus were very strong. Cold conditions dont suit their car) Since there are harder dry compounds at this race, maybe it will suit Hamilton as he can really push and be agressive which is what he is so good at.

If there is the occansional shower in the race with changing conditions then I think Button could be up there.