2 replies to this topic

[Elio]

Well, this is my first post.
Can any body tell me why this season some teams conect a fan to the engine air-intake?
(You can see clearly on http://www.atlasf1.com/news/1607.htm ). What are they cooling?
Last year they put the fan in the side pods, why not this?

Thanks

[tak]

They still put fans onto the sidepods to push air through the radiators. I too have wondered about the intake fans though. My GUESS is that it is to keep the top of the engine from heat soaking (coming to heat equilibrium with the rest of the motor). It could also be to evaporate fuel on the top of the motor so it starts more easily.

A really interesting thought is that they are chilling the airbox and top of the engine. The effect wouldn't last long, but would provide some 'intercooling' effect for the start of the race!

[PDA]

Remember the start of the Australian GP? Both Stewarts flamed up due to overheating on top of the engine after they had stopped for the grid. Maybe this is a ploy to keep the top of the engine cool.