Renault’s James Allison says hard to judge where LRGP will stand after FIA ban – Formula 1
Renault’s technical director, James Allison, has stated that the new rules imposed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) relating to engine mapping are going to affect all teams participating in the European Grand Prix.
Allison added that the blown diffuser ban was going to hurt the top teams but the ban on engine set up changes after qualifiers are going to affect all 12 teams in the tournament.
Allison stated, “All blown floor cars will lose downforce under braking as a result of these new restrictions. Some teams will lose more and some teams less; it is hard to know exactly what relative loss LRGP will suffer.”
Allison explained that if the restriction on engine changes from qualifiers to race is carried out, two problems will arise in the F1 cars. Firstly the downforce will be compromised, which is already a threat to teams after the ban on blown diffusers. Secondly,
the balance of the cars is going to change with less downforce.
However, talking about his own package for 2011, the R31, Allison stated, “However, it is possible that we will suffer less on the balance shift side of the equation because our forward exit exhausts produce their effect quite near the middle of the car.
This means that as the exhaust blow waxes and wanes, it does not really disturb the aerobalance of the car too much.”
Allison explained that the teams with a rear blower will lose more downforce then Renault who used an innovative idea for their exhaust system.
From the clampdown on blown diffusers, it is expected that Red Bull will suffer the most and although the engine ban will affect all teams, it can be expected that Red Bull’s glory is going to fade early in the 2011 season.
This might be an opportunity for the Renault team to grab some points before the Red Bull come up with something new. Renault is currently fourth on the constructors’ championship table, ahead of the Mercedes team and are eyeing the top three spots.
The season continues in Valencia with the eighth Grand Prix of the season coming June 26.
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