20/07/2012
NEWS STORY
Lotus has debuted a number of development aerodynamic parts in Hockenheim as the Enstone team looks to close the gap to Red Bull and Ferrari. It’s believed a ‘double-DRS’ system was fitted to Kimi Raikkonen’s car during Friday practice, though the team was coy when Pitpass asked about the development.
The double-DRS effectively stalls the front and rear wings, giving an added benefit in that, while DRS is active, the car is more aerodynamically efficient. The resulting boost to straight-line speed can be a significant advantage during qualifying, though its impact is reduced in the race.
A hugely complicated system it’s taken until mid-season to reproduce, the system Mercedes having developed having been designed in to the monocoque when it was homologated by the FIA.
It’s somewhat ironic that Lotus should investigate such a system, having been vociferous critics of the concept at the start of the season and pursuing the matter through the FIA. The system was declared legal and Lotus’ challenge thrown out.
The team worked beyond the allowed curfew period on Thursday night fitting parts to the car, the first time the team has broken the curfew in 2012. Their efforts were largely scuppered however as the wet conditions in both Friday sessions did not help the team in evaluating the device, which is understood to be a proof of concept, a first endeavour with such a solution. It is therefore unlikely the system will remain on the car come Sunday.
Check out our Friday gallery, here.