Naturally, the very last thing that groups need is for his or her rivals to have an opportunity to attract detailed conclusions about their automotive early on, so they may usually put screens up when a driver returns to the pits to hide the story that the paint reveals.
Sticking with the aerodynamics theme, groups could add aero rakes to the automotive. These scaffolding-like metallic constructions are coated with sensors and might help verify that the real-life efficiency of the automotive matches up with what they discovered of their wind tunnel simulations.
Much like the flow-vis paint, aero rakes present precious knowledge about airflow, giving the groups an extra alternative to see precisely the place turbulent air may very well be impacting their efficiency.
What do groups wish to discover out throughout pre-season testing?
The restrictions which have been in place since limitless testing was banned in 2009 imply that the quick journey to Bahrain would be the first measure of true efficiency that hasn’t been simulated. As subtle as groups’ software program is, driving in a non-virtual surroundings will inevitably throw up surprises.
They’re going to primarily be specializing in aerodynamics, the effectiveness and reliability of elements they labored on over the winter break, and the way their drivers deal with the automotive. There are additionally probabilities for the mechanics to practise their high-pressure pit stops, so no factor of a conventional race weekend is forgotten.
On high of that, they may even be supplied with the most recent Pirelli tyres that will likely be on provide at every spherical on the calendar. Particularly for the younger rookies, this will likely be an ideal probability to get a really feel for a crucial part that may dramatically alter the course of a race.
