Lotus literally works overtime to constantly improve performance and thus frequently presents new aero components on its cars . This time several middle zones updates followed the introduction of a modified front wing at last pre season test in Barcelona . The upgrade package included apart from innovative serrated bargeboards, a relocated closer to the car body sidepod panel ( yellow double-edged arrow shows the volume between the panel and the car body) and an additional element which leans outwards, inspired by Sauber’s former cars .
Launch spec – the highlighted in yellow “π shaped” tab helps to drive air upwards and away from the car to seal as possible the underbody aerodynamics .
Barcelona Test on March – the yellow double edged arrow shows the volume between the panel and the car body which is now decreased compared to previous version , all changes are highlighted in orange color
The new philosophy is to speed up the air flowing through this zone, due to now less available volume, while the serrated bargeboards bleeds portions of air to cut drag . The total volume of air may now be lesser but the increased speed counters this negative effect . The low height and leaning outwards extra vane helps to decrease further drag and provide a cleaner airflow towards the rear of the car . All changes aim to create more downforce especially when the cars changes directions .
Serrated bargeboards may look brand new and innovative but spring their origins a decade back to Ferrari saw-tooth bargeboards .
Chassis : E21
Engine : Renault RS27 – 2013
From a first glimpse the new E21 looks very similar to last season successful E20 with the most obvious change to be the altered livery which has large areas covered in red color . However a closer observation reveals literally numerous small revisions . Interesting parts on the car are the retain of the stepped nose which is likely to be covered with a modesty panel in future, the curved T tray support, Red Bullish exhaust ramp , tunneled sidepods, expanded diffuser sides and a three ducted airbox .
Winter testing updates :
At Jerez Lotus covered the whole rear floor with thermal stickers to track down the route of the exhaust flow across the diffuser sides . Additionally the exhaust coanda channel made of carbon was replaced by a metallic revised one . This happened probably because metallic surfaces possesses satisfactory antifriction properties thus a more predictable exhaust flow to seal the diffuser sides and exhibit minor ware due to heat but are much heavier than carbon . The horizontal slat on top of the sidepods was reduced in length , starts from the cockpit sides and does not reach anymore the sidepod panels . It helps to reduce the lift created by the sidepods . Fluorescent paint was also utilized to examine the flow around the car body , the wings and the rear end .
At Barcelona tests E21 had a new set of bargeboards which now consist of multi elements instead of a single piece . A blown rear wing project reappeared similar to last season to help decrease drag. It was also the right time for Lotus to examine further the new Pirelli tyres, which are considerably different in 2013. For this cause the team fixed a wheel force transducer on the rear axle in an attempt to study the longitudinal and lateral forces applied on the wheel-tyre .
EVALUATION :
Aerodynamic performance : guarantee a very stable and predictable car with enough traction on both braking and accelerating.
Speed :. excellent on long runs but yet not on top on a single fast lap
Tyres management : excellent with each one of different Pirelli compounds under any fuel load
Reliability : raises worries
T tray has a curved support to the chassis above
Despite the fact that FIA attempted to discourage teams from exploiting the nose fairing and gaining aero advantage over it, many teams bypassed the regulations spirit and developed elegant structures both to gain improved airflow over the nose and keep the weight penalty due to the added fairing as low as possible . To be honest this was something more than expected as many changes caused the opposite effect than the wanted one, with the recent ban of the blown diffuser to be the best example. The only team which does not need a fairing is Marussia because of its low chassis .
Ferrari, Mc Laren, Force India, Williams and Toro Rosso followed a conservative pattern as shown in the illustration below
Ferrari , Mc Laren , Force India, Williams , Toro Rosso
A full cover from stepped point to the nose tip , highlighted in orange color .
Sauber developed a unique “ Π ” shaped fairing to create a deep channel on top of the nose, separating the air stream flowing over the nose with the one flowing at sides .
Sauber – Π concept
Red Bull’s dwarf fairing is an outcome of the desire to limit the fairing dimensions to the minimum required for opted aero efficiency so as to keep the extra weight as low as possible .
Red Bull – dwarf fairing
Mercedes evolved further last season arched nose . Instead of being flat at the top it has an intense arched shape and a more smooth bulkhead height transition . This is to reduce drag by diverting the air flowing above the nose tip towards the nose sides while the main flow is channeled smoothly over the bulkhead , all aiming lower drag production . The optical result of this pattern resembles to a duck nose .
Mercedes – duck fairing
Finally Caterham and Lotus rejected the possibility of fixing a weight costly fairing and instead developed a sculpted chassis on top, thus forming a smoother airpath for drag cut . However Caterham features a deeper and a more obvious sculpted area than Lotus does .
Caterham and Lotus – sculpted chassis
It is of high possibility to see teams developing further their initial idea or even coping rivals patterns . It is good to remember that the nose fairing, as all new designs, needs to be examined and studied further , unless FIA decides to make regulations even stricter .
Technical Director: James Allison
Trackside Operations Director: Alan Permane
Chief Designer: Martin Tolliday
Head of Aerodynamics: Dirk De Beer
Team Manager: Paul Seaby
Chief Commercial Officer: Stephen Curnow
Head of Team Marketing and Communications: Stephane Samson
Head of Event Marketing: Frederic Garcia
Business Development Director: Federico Gastaldi
credit: Lotus F1 Team
Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, manufactured by Lotus F1 Team and designed for maximum strength with minimum weight. RS27-2012 V8 engine installed as a fully-stressed member.
Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard rocker via a pushrod system. This is connected to a torsion bar and damper units which are mounted inside the front of the monocoque. Aluminium uprights and OZ machined magnesium wheels.
Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones with pull rod operated torsion springs and transverse-mounted damper units mounted in the top of the gearbox casing. Aluminium uprights and OZ machined magnesium wheels.
Seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox with reverse gear. “Quickshift” system in operation to maximise speed of gearshifts.
Kevlar-reinforced rubber fuel cell by ATL.
Separate oil and water radiators located in the car’s sidepods and cooled using airflow from the car’s forward motion.
MES-Microsoft Standard Electronic Control Unit.
Carbon discs and pads. Calipers by AP Racing. Master cylinders by AP racing and Brembo.
Removable driver’s seat made of anatomically formed carbon composite, with six-point or eight-point harness seat belt. Steering wheel integrates gear change, clutch paddles, and rear wing adjuster.
Motor generator unit driving into front of engine with batteries as an energy store. Motor Generator supplied by Renault Sport F1. Electronic control unit by Magneti-Marelli.
DIMENSIONS
Front Track: 1450 mm
Rear Track: 1400 mm
Overall Length: 5088 mm
Overall Height: 950 mm
Overall Width: 1800 mm
Overall Weight: 642kg, with driver, cameras and ballast
ENGINE
Configuration: 2.4L V8
No. of Cylinders: 8
No. of Valves: 32
Displacement: 2400cc
Weight: 95kg
V Angle: 90°
RPM: 18,000
Fuel: Total
Oil: Total
Power Output: >750 bhp
Spark Plugs: Semi surface discharge
Ignition System: High energy inductive
Pistons: Aluminium alloy
Engine Block: Aluminium alloy
Crankshaft: Nitrided alloy steel with tungsten alloy counterweights
Connecting Rods: Titanium alloy
Throttle System: 8 butterflies
credit: Lotus F1 Team
Michalis K. ( bar555)
Formula 1 technology and art 