Car Racing without Money-Chapter 454 - 180: The Japanese "Gyokusai" Mentality (Part 3)

Chapter 454: Chapter 180: The Japanese "Gyokusai" Mentality (Part 3)

Indeed, the power is too high, the materials can’t withstand it.

At the same time, the scene of the tow truck entering the station also attracted the attention of other team members.

"It seems Xiangbei’s lap time was achieved by extreme car tuning, no wonder he could run so fast."

"What’s the point of tuning like this during winter testing to clock the fastest lap, is it for vanity?"

"I think it’s to prove his ability after skipping levels, no one likes to be labeled as a pay driver."

Various discussions weren’t just limited to ordinary members; even the strategy group and engineering team were discussing the fault of the TF110 car.

After all, this was the first engine failure in winter testing, and lessons could also be learned from others’ experiences.

Especially the Red Bull Racing Team, which had a similar design approach. Horner and Newey were carefully examining the TF110 car, trying to determine whether it was a power unit issue or a chassis design issue.

"Newey, where do you think the problem lies?"

Horner opened his mouth to ask a question, for professional matters naturally require asking professionals.

No one understands F1 cars better than Newey!

"The problem lies with HRT and Toyota; in fact, neither has grasped the true essence of the new technology."

What?

This sentence surprised Horner, who initially thought Newey’s answer would directly pinpoint the specific fault. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Why do you say that?"

Horner asked in return.

"The exhaust diffuser is the technology that changes the car’s power output. Simply pursuing the strongest horsepower will inevitably lead to such results."

"I predict this season’s fastest car won’t be the one with the strongest power, nor the one with the best fuel efficiency, but the one whose output mode and torque curve matches the exhaust diffuser the best."

"Renault engine has perfectly integrated these two points!"

Newey was not boasting; just before the yellow flag appeared on the track, Vettel had already completed his test laps.

However, everyone’s eyes were drawn to the TF110 car with the engine failure, leaving them to overlook Vettel’s performance and lap times.

His time was 1 minute 19.660 seconds.

If it weren’t for Chen Xiangbei’s prior performance, this lap time would be quite decent, just 0.1 seconds off last year’s pole position time.

However, when a rookie surpasses the pole position, they inevitably become the center of attention.

But only the Red Bull Racing Team’s strategy group knew that neither the RB6 car nor Vettel himself were performing at more than 80% of their potential.

Newey is indeed a super genius in the era of empty cars; he has completely figured out car aerodynamics, even just on the first day of winter testing, he had already mastered the true use of the exhaust diffuser.

In contrast, the HRT Team only treated this thing as a tool to increase downforce in corners.

"Trulli, describe the fault."

On the other side, Bob Bell was also trying to find the real reason for the problem.

"The engine and tire temperature consistently remained high, and after crossing the safety line and pressing the accelerator deeply, a strange sound came from the engine, then the oil pressure gauge dropped rapidly, and I knew the car had engine issues."

"Did you try to cool it down during the window period?"

Bob Bell asked a follow-up question; he knew Trulli was eager for victory, wanting to compete for the number one driver position.

But this must take into account the car’s cooling situation.

"How to cool it down?"

"The faster the speed, the more cold air comes in, meaning more hot air is expelled, it’s a dead cycle!"

Trulli is equally straightforward; he feels using engine exhaust to increase downforce is something only a little genius would come up with.

The tires were already at high temperature, and the hot air directly caused the temperature to blow up.

If under normal circumstances, the working temperature of full slick tires is like gum sticking to the track.

Then under high-temperature catalysis, the tire surface has already become like a mouse trap.

Even if the car doesn’t have an engine failure, this tire wear wouldn’t stand the sixty laps of a race.

To a certain extent, this TF110 car is similar to the later Haas, with extremely exaggerated tire wear.

During qualifying, it often achieves good results, but in the race, it immediately disappears; long-distance is simply a mess!

The design direction really has a problem?

Receiving Trulli’s feedback instantly made Bob Bell somewhat question life.

For small teams taking over prototype cars, there are pros and cons; the upside is naturally saving development costs and time.

Historically, the HRT Team didn’t even have a wind tunnel, purely an assembly factory longing for ready-to-use prototype cars, otherwise what they’d build would become a "moving roadblock" on the track.

But powerful teams often don’t want to take over others’ prototype cars.

The downside is obvious: the genius design approach is difficult to share and resonate.

Especially for F1 cars, such aerodynamics layouts are extremely intricate and complex products, even if Bob Bell’s abilities aren’t lacking, having led the development of several Mars Rovers, he still can’t perfectly resonate ideas with Toyota’s designers.

In comparison, Ross Brown’s takeover of the RA109 was much easier.

After all, this car was designed and developed under his guidance, and there was no learning cost whatsoever; it was ready-to-use.

Seeing Bob Bell was already in a bewildered state, Briatore decisively stepped out to give instructions.

"Today’s test ends here, Bell, you go find the reason, no need to rush."

"Xiangbei, go and provide feedback on car tuning with the engineers and mechanics team."

"MAN, stop staring, get moving!"

Briatore clapped his hands to motivate everyone.

As a "rookie" team, they absolutely couldn’t be immersed in a defeated atmosphere; they needed to find something to do to stir up emotions.

"Got it!"

Sure enough, once Briatore made arrangements, the team’s members adjusted their states, with everyone getting into their work positions.

At this time, Chen Xiangbei came over to Sawano Hiroyuki and Liang Chi, and spoke.

"Bridgestone tires are too soft and not very durable; I suggest inflating them slightly higher than standard to reduce the contact area between the tires and the road, and also lower the tire surface overheating."

"Medium angle of attack for the front wing to avoid excessive drag on the straight while ensuring front wheel grip."

"The car tends towards understeer, so we can appropriately lower the rear wing height; I can handle an oversteering vehicle."

"The clockwise track requires facing consecutive right turns, setting the front suspension hard and increasing the camber angle to -4.0° to compensate for the extra wear on the left front tire caused by the right turns."

Listening to Chen Xiangbei’s continuous car feedback, Briatore’s face showed an extremely satisfied smile.

Only by understanding the car and taming your race car can you become an elite professional driver; Schumacher was just like this.

Chen Xiangbei’s current appearance made him see the shadow of Schumacher’s tuning back in the day!