Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Official 2021 Formula 1 test round-up ...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Rozenburg
    Posts
    10,010

    Official 2021 Formula 1 test round-up ...

    This weekend, 2021 Formula 1 cars hit the track for the first time for an official timed session during the curtailed three-day test in Bahrain. It is hard to really see what is going on, especially when looking just at the lap times. What is more important, especially this year, is track time and particularly the Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin teams were well down on the lap chart.
    Both racking up an impressive amount of laps and setting the absolute fastest time of the weekend was the Red Bull RB16B Honda. It is clear that the Austrian-owned team both managed to get to grasps with the revised aerodynamic regulations and that engine partner Honda pulled out all the stops for what will be the Japanese manufacturer's final year in the sport. It was Max Verstappen who clocked the fastest time of the weekend in the RB16B, and he may very well finally be able to break the Mercedes-Benz stranglehold on Formula 1.
    Perhaps quite surprisingly, the one Mercedes-Benz team that looked the most consistent was McLaren with their MCL35M. This is most definitely unexpected as it is the team's first outing with the Mercedes-Benz engine after having used Renault power during the last three seasons. There is also some controversy surrounding the MCL35M as it features a trick diffuser that may very well be a very creative workaround of the revised aero regulations.
    Another car that grabbed our attention was the Alpine A521. This was not just for its striking French blue livery but also for the revised cooling architecture. Compared to the outgoing Renault, Alpine's first F1 racer is based on, it features slimmer side-pods in search of an even cleaner airflow. This was achieved by moving some of the cooling elements to the area on top and behind of the engine. The bulkier air-box used to clear the radiators on the A521 does have some similarities to the mighty air-box fitted on the Ligier JS5 of the 1970s.

    Enjoy the links:

    2021 Alpine A521 Renault

    2021 Ferrari SF21

    2021 McLaren MCL35M Mercedes

    2021 Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda
    If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.

    (Ted Joans)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    125
    Any idea what that metal latticework was on the Williams and Red Bull? Williams had it at the back, Red Bull at the front.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    10,227
    I forget the term, but its something like pitot tubes. Used for analyzing airflow during testing.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    └A & Connecticlump
    Posts
    5,367
    Yep; pitot tubes is the term. Pitot tubes are specifically for measuring airspeed, so they might just be normal pressure taps for help in confirming their analytical models.
    "Kimi, can you improve on your [race] finish?"
    "No. My Finnish is fine; I am from Finland. Do you have any water?"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    10,227
    Quote Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13 View Post
    Yep; pitot tubes is the term. Pitot tubes are specifically for measuring airspeed, so they might just be normal pressure taps for help in confirming their analytical models.
    I am clearly a fluid mechanics expert.

    Very curious if Mercedes is relatively slower. They surely aren't as bad as it seems. Test programme went a bit sideways. Also this has happened before and then they slap red bull in the first race.

    Let's go Lewis for 8!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    125
    Thanks guys, never saw those before.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Formula 1 2015 Barcelona Test
    By Thegallerycars in forum Multimedia
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-20-2015, 11:03 AM
  2. 2009 Formula One Season Official Thread
    By Kitdy in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 415
    Last Post: 11-04-2009, 02:43 PM
  3. 2008 Formula One Season Official Thread
    By Jack_Bauer in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 170
    Last Post: 11-14-2008, 08:24 PM
  4. 24 Hours of Le Mans official test (June 1st)
    By Wouter Melissen in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 43
    Last Post: 06-07-2008, 03:56 AM
  5. Formula 1 Qual. Round and Catalunya Race
    By amg boy in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-07-2005, 04:43 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •