Team Lotus Renault T128

Team Lotus have just realeased there new car via the internet to the public. They have beaten thier rivals Lotus Renault who will be launching later today.

http://cdn.skive.co.uk/TLN_LaunchIssue.pdf

 

cool just got to the bottom of that article and there are some alternative designs they had in mind for the paint work like the black and gold. The Pac-man one is cool too

 

Blade airbox.

Their's looks better than last year's Merc but it's still a hideous looking solution, I thought they were banned for this year? If a Lotus driver had an accident like Webber's last year they'd be in serious trouble with that airbox.

 

If you are referring to the 'fin' that runs along the top of the engine cover from just behind the air intake down to the base of the engine cover just at the rear wing, this is a requirement of the Technical Regulations. It's to provide a certain minimum area for sponsors' logos.

Rule 3.16.1 is the one that's rlevant:
http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/15A68242E9992FCEC12577F8004A826A/$FILE/1-2011%20TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%2010-12-2010.pdf

 

It is a blade it divides the air intake into 2 its not just along the top of the engine cover

 

Looks good. Anyone else having issues with the lotus notes pdf? Interesting how confident they're being about being able to challenge the midfield, lets hope they're right!

 

The pictures a re quite dark, but I see what you mean; not what I was thinking of at all. But I don't see why that airbox would be any more dangerous in a crash.

 

Because the roll hoop is lower down (closer to the drivers head) and the blade doesn't look like it could take a huge load. Also if a car flipped onto grass or gravel it would sink in easier, meaning spinal injuries are more likely. I'm sure Lotus and Mercedes wouldn't deliberately put drivers at risk, but to me it looks unsafe.

 

AbsolutelyGlorious,

I see what you mean, but I presume that the Technical Regs prescribe a minimum height for the roll hoop itself, and Lotus' designers surely wouldn't be so daft as to go below that. But your point about the increased likelihood of 'digging in' to gravel or grass is a good one. Maybe the 'blade' portion is fragile or deformable enough that this wouldn't be an issue.

 

I presume its all been cleared with the FIA, mercedes may feel a bit hard done by though..

 

Karun chandhock has just been revealed as Team Lotus's test and reserve driver for 2011

 

If they can flex their wing, everyone should be able it do it as well:

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I like the designs in the link. The Pac-Man one is cool as well

 

Jose, how does that picture prove its a flexible wing?

 

Look at the front wing. You can clearly see it flexing like Red Bull's did.

 

Thats good news, he deserves a role somewhere, a nice bloke and very knowledgeable about F1.

 

This didnt warrant a new thread but after 10 rounds at the hungarian GP, Team Lotus will finally have a power steering device for Jarno Trulli.