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From GMM
Sauber has revealed the first major technical innovation of the 2013 season, and according to Germany's specialist Auto Motor und Sport it could be a masterstroke.
Reportedly, designer Matt Morris got the idea for the C32's ultra-narrow sidepods when Sergio Perez's sideways-crushed car got back to the Swiss team's garage after his huge Monaco shunt in 2011.
"If the trick works, the competition has a problem," said correspondent Michael Schmidt.
Schmidt said the C32's sidepods are 10 to 15 centimetres narrower than those on the 2012 Sauber.
The benefit is clear: reduced drag and air disruptance to the diffuser and rear wing, and more scope for redirecting the flow to the most beneficial places.
"We endorsed the concept in July last year, because it influences the chassis and the crash structures," said designer Morris.
He explained, however, that the biggest problem was not the crash tests, but accommodating the radiators, electronic boxes, wire harnesses and other parts in the drastically reduced space.
"A nightmare," grinned Morris.
But arguably the biggest advantage of all is that, if Sauber has pulled off a masterstroke from left field, the competition will not be able to copy the innovation -- to do that, rival teams would have to build a new chassis.
Meanwhile, unlike McLaren, Sauber has not followed Ferrari's lead by introducing novel 'pull-rod' front suspension.
"There is probably an aerodynamic advantage," Morris admitted, "but to optimize the benefits and minimize the mechanical disadvantages would require a really complicated programme that goes beyond our capacity.
"This is a project for the 2014 car," he added.
Sauber has revealed the first major technical innovation of the 2013 season, and according to Germany's specialist Auto Motor und Sport it could be a masterstroke.
Reportedly, designer Matt Morris got the idea for the C32's ultra-narrow sidepods when Sergio Perez's sideways-crushed car got back to the Swiss team's garage after his huge Monaco shunt in 2011.
"If the trick works, the competition has a problem," said correspondent Michael Schmidt.
Schmidt said the C32's sidepods are 10 to 15 centimetres narrower than those on the 2012 Sauber.
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| The shrunken sidepods of the Sauber C32 (Photo: Sauber F1 Team) |
The benefit is clear: reduced drag and air disruptance to the diffuser and rear wing, and more scope for redirecting the flow to the most beneficial places.
"We endorsed the concept in July last year, because it influences the chassis and the crash structures," said designer Morris.
He explained, however, that the biggest problem was not the crash tests, but accommodating the radiators, electronic boxes, wire harnesses and other parts in the drastically reduced space.
"A nightmare," grinned Morris.
But arguably the biggest advantage of all is that, if Sauber has pulled off a masterstroke from left field, the competition will not be able to copy the innovation -- to do that, rival teams would have to build a new chassis.
Meanwhile, unlike McLaren, Sauber has not followed Ferrari's lead by introducing novel 'pull-rod' front suspension.
"There is probably an aerodynamic advantage," Morris admitted, "but to optimize the benefits and minimize the mechanical disadvantages would require a really complicated programme that goes beyond our capacity.
"This is a project for the 2014 car," he added.