Brasil - Race Engineers Notes Part 2

FP2 Analysis

 Sector 1

In order of final FP2 position, I have created a graph showing each of the top ten drivers’ Sector 1 times.

Before I go on to analyse, I will quickly mention my earlier prediction of what would happen during Sector 1:

·                             Williams would be the closest match to the Mercedes’ - Due to: good medium speed aerodynamics and for having the same PU for the end of S1 straight.         

Whilst Rosberg finished fastest with Hamilton right behind, Massa gave both Mercedes drivers a run for their money as he pushed hard through S1. Less than half a tenth split him from Hamilton which is an impressive fact. Williams’ average S1 time is 2^nd best in the field, highlighting the FW-36’s delicate balance between aerodynamics and mechanical set up.

Ferrari came close to matching Red Bull on average which is surprising considering how inefficient their aerodynamics are.
As this sector demands both mechanical and aero capabilities, I would’ve thought that Ferrari could make up for their aero deficit through S1, but it was not the case.

Kvyat had another magnificent Sector as he continues to demonstrate why he got next year’s RB seat. Fourth fastest, ahead of Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren, is something special. Again, this proves that the Toro Rosso has a good balance between mechanical and aero set up.

Sector 2 

The data above can be used to show the teams’ aerodynamic efficiencies. If you’re quick through here then it help show how good your medium speed aero is.
On average, Ferrari are second quickest which shows how much better their medium speed aero is compared to their usual high speed aero. It could be that Ferrari are running more downforce to help increase laptime whilst compromising their S1 and S3.

In stark comparison to S1, Massa becomes second slowest in S2. Massa has never taken a liking to tight twisty circuits (like Monaco), and Interlagos’ S2 replicates a street circuit quite well. It would be inaccurate to say that the Williams struggles here because Bottas goes over 1.5 tenths faster than his team-mate.  

Sector 3

Pace through S3 is pretty much completely dependent upon straight line capabilities - that is max velocity and acceleration.

Massa once again pulled out the home advantage, even beating Hamilton, and doing it quite comfortably. The Williams is quick, their theoretical best lap time could easily challenge for the front row in Qualifying.

Ferrari don’t seem to have been punished at all by their good speed through S2. The F14-T suits Interlagos quite nicely.

Ricciardo and Vettel continue to struggle with their Renault PU. The pit straight will be very detrimental to them in the race.

Qualifying

Qualifying in Brasil will be very tricky this weekend. The field is incredibly competitive at the top between Ferrari, Mercedes and Williams. The weather will also play a significant role in determining the grid as teams like Williams will struggle with low grip conditions.

Car set up will be crucial because if it is dry in qualifying, teams may have to compromise set up so that they will remain competitive in a wet race on Sunday Quali in Sao Paulo will be a thrilling event that will be very intriguing to analyse.

Thanks for reading!

Ali

Brasil - Race Engineers's Notes

Interlagos and its challenges

Round 17 of the FIA Formula 1 Championship takes us to Sao Paulo, Brasil.

This old school circuit is Formula 1 jewel. Its similarities to a gritty karting track are quite striking, which is probably why most drivers adore this circuit. History has witnessed some iconic moments at this special place such as: Senna’s heroic first win at home in ’91 and Hamilton’s ’08 final corner Championship winner.

There is only one ‘real’ straight with the rest of the circuit comprising of curves and corners, all of which vary in magnitude. 

The circuit has been renovated for 2014 with a new pit lane entrance, and more importantly with a new resurfacing. Pirelli also re-nominated their tyres to help ensure suitable degradation throughout the race.

Aero Characteristics of Circuit

Sector One starts with the Senna S curve, where the tricky turn in phase may claim more victims than usual because of the new, smooth tarmac. Turn three will demand medium downforce as the cars fight to stay on line after being initially disturbed by the tough Senna S.
The following (and only true) straight of the circuit follows, where Sector 1 ends at the braking zone. This DRS straight is the first real opportunity to overtake after the lunging opportunity back at T1.

Sector Two progresses into a series of highly challenging tight corners. Entry speeds are tremendous considering how constrictive and street like the corners are. Once again, high downforce levels are required to keep the cars stable as they enter S2’s corners.
The curvaceous nature of this circuit means that the car is under lateral loads during the braking phase (Such as T8 and T10). This results in increased levels of instability, which manifests itself in lots of oversteer spins.

Sector Three starts at T12, the one corner of this sector which requires braking. T13/14/15 are basically all on the pit straight and don’t require any input changes except for steering. It is no doubt that they’ll be flat out, even without the blown diffusers.

Sector Two is the dominating sector of this circuit and therefore the car needs to be set up to be quickest around here. The corners at Sao Paolo aren’t particularly high speed and therefore a very high downforce spec is not especially required. Any excess downforce will not result in quicker cornering speeds but they will result in enhanced drag levels on the straights.

Tyres & Strategy (Wear, options)

Prime – Medium (WHITE)
Option – Soft (YELLOW)

Interlagos’ recent resurfacing will reduce degradation massively. Just as in Sochi, the tarmac will not yet have had chance to expose its ‘base’ layer, this means that the tyres will not have anything abrasive enough to cause substantial degradation. We will have to see over the weekend whether Pirelli nominated a suitable pair of tyres.
It is a little bit of an unknown to the engineers as to how the tyres will behave, but it is nothing that can’t be realised from the practice sessions.

As I mentioned last week, two of Ricciardo’s wins have been on a soft/medium combination and it would be worth keeping an eye on him! Ricciardo comfortably secured the final podium position which confirmed my predictions.

Mechanical Set Up

Sector two is the main decider at Interlagos. Stability is key as the circuit induces heavy instabilities especially at corner entry.

A higher than usual roll centre is most likely required to allow the cars to absorb any lateral instabilities which will help the car bite and roll at turn in.

It is worth noting that a stiff setup will be extremely poor when combined with the resurfacing. Four wheel sliding and endless levels of oversteer will ensue with a stiff chassis and suspension.

Interlagos requires a very good chassis design because it relies upon mechanical set up quite heavily. The m

edium speeds of the circuit means that the cars can’t generate the highest levels of downforce, this means that the cars have to extract grip from somewhere else, the mechanical set up.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! (Apologies for it being late)

Ali