What is it Red Bull do during qualifying?

[DHCanary]

Yeh, just checked technical regulations 5.6 states max of 2 exhaust exits. Although I'm still curious if there is a way of working around that.

Ok, potential workaround, bear with me...

The first, main exhaust, enters through the centre of the back of the car, and feeds the diffuser for all the time the driver is on the throttle. When off-throttle, the engines still fire 4 cylinder currently for the off-throttle blowing. Using a special engine mapping, could the process of cutting to 4 cylinders reroute the exhaust gases through a second exhaust to aim at a rear tyre. Again with the engine mappping, could the 4 cylinders used alternate by corner, and when using the second set of cylinders, the exhaust gases be routed through a third exhaust, aimed at the other wheel. Technically at no point are all 3 exhausts simultaneously, and something has to move inside the engine to stop fuel injection to 4 cylinders anyway, so why not combine this with shutting off the exhaust port?

Or am I both displaying a limited knowledge of the rules and trying to bend them too far?

 

[Basil_Brushzenberger]

Basil,

My first post in this thread was simply a theory that has no evidence to support it. In other words, my suspicions are about as valid as the BBC's when they banned my first 606 account for being EL_NANDO. I do still believe that Red Bull have some sort of superior overrun system, but I suspect Red Bull might be doing something else with the exhausts which gives them an advantage on the first lap of a stint (whether that be qualifying, or the first lap of race/ safety car restart).

We know the importance of heating the tyres to optimal working temperature - for example, Felipe Massa had tyre problems last year, which made his gap to Alonso in qualifying huge. As we know, the earlier you can get the tyres heated to optimum temperature, the better. If it takes 2 hot laps to heat the tyres sufficiently, you've already lost the best available grip from the tyres.

Today I read this article in which a Pirelli source says that the Red Bull exhausts are too close to the tyres. With all the hot gas blowing, it's bound to play a role in heating up the rear tyres, and would play an even bigger role if the overrun system is superior to rivals. Could it be that Red Bull's exhaust placement allow them to heat up the tyres much faster than other teams, explaining how Vettel can always pull away on the first lap of the race, and also in qualifying?

Whatever the real reason for Red Bull's unbelievable pace, I remain convinced that the exhausts (in some way) play a huge role in Red Bull's advantage. The way Red Bull have been trying to stop the FIA banning it suggests that they are going to lose out big time when we get to Silverstone.

Excellent stuff, Forza. Thank-you very much for posting it.

Firstly it's amazing what the designers can come up with. I had heard of using the brakes to heat the tyres quicker than with traction, but using the exhaust? Incredible. They must have it at the absolute perfect distance from the tyres so that they don't overheat.

I find what Button said interesting, because other drivers can see in minute detail exactly where other cars are quicker or slower, so his opinion is valuable. The Red Bull is a piece of work, and no mistake. The flexi wing gives it massive speed and grip through high speed corners, and the blown diffuser and whatever else just keep on giving it more downforce, and then the exhaust possibly brings the tyres up to temperature almost immediately, enabling a quick lap without taking too much from the tyres beforehand in qualifying, or being able to scamper away on the first lap of the race.

I believe I am right in saying that at every race where Vettel has got away into the first corner in the lead he has pulled out at least a second or two's gap after one lap. What makes me laugh is that the commentators always sound surprised. "Look at the gap that Vettel has pulled out", Brundle will say at nearly every race.

If Red Bull's exhaust system is banned because the tyres are too close (if it contravenes the rules) then I hope it will bring about closer racing, and more open qualifying. It must give them a significant advantage if they are thinking of appealing against the ruling, and Newey is reacting "with anger" (although I don't know exactly what he said.

It will be interesting to see what happens to say the least. I suspect it will see the end of Vettel getting pole by half a second, although I can't see it stopping him getting on the front row of the grid quite often.

 

[Big Ern]

hmm, is it also the reason why Vettel gets caught up towards the ends of races, because the excess heat is damaging his tyres to much, causing more wear and that's also why he doesn't push so hard when being caught?

 

[Basil_Brushzenberger]

hmm, is it also the reason why Vettel gets caught up towards the ends of races, because the excess heat is damaging his tyres to much, causing more wear and that's also why he doesn't push so hard when being caught?

Could well be, Miggins. It looks like Red Bull have gone all out down the road of Get On Pole And Get Away And Worry About Anything Else Later. Off the top of my head China, Monaco, Spain and Canada follow the pattern that Miggins has suggested. Nice one.