The majority of Formula 1
engine development work is carried out on the test
bench. Certain aspects of the work, however, can only
be done at the race track. Track test engineer Axel
Plasse, who works out of Renault Sport's Development
Department, talks about the importance of track
testing in the course of a Formula 1 season and
explains how his work complements bench testing.
Why is track
testing indispensable?
"Generally
speaking, testing is a means of validating a new
development or a new component. It is an
indispensable phase of the development process and
rare indeed are the fields of technology in which
engineers can allow themselves not to test."
"Despite the
importance of calculation work both within teams and
at Renault Sport, nothing can replace testing. To be
able to predict on paper what is likely to work and
what isn't has effectively become increasingly
important, but testing is still essential."
What additional
information does track testing provide you with?
"Although
bench testing attempts to reproduce real conditions
as closely as possible, it has its limits. A Formula
1 car moves, turns and accelerates whereas an engine
on the bench is fixed which means that a whole host
of situations can not simulated."
"Having said
that, the test bench remains a rigorous tool which is
capable of determining, for example, whether a
particular engine is developing, say, three
brake-horsepower more than another unit. This is
something which a driver is incapable of doing.
However, a test bench is a bit like a computer
inasmuch as it can only quantify parameters that are
quantifiable. Some parameters - such as the
characteristics of a new type of fuel - are difficult
to put into figures in order to evaluate performance
gains. On the other hand, there are many subjective
considerations - such as driveability and response -
which can only be judged by a driver. Track testing
is an intermediate phase between bench testing and
race use."
The work of your
team is twofold. On the one hand you validate engine
developments from the technical viewpoint and, on the
other, you take on board the reactions of drivers
with a view to improving driveability...
"Renault
Sport's policy effectively covers two areas. First of
all there is the quest for engine reliability, the
final phase of which is validation on the race track.
All new components brought must be validated in this
way before they can find their way on to race
engines. Reliable engines ensure that future
development work is coherent and linear."
"Renault Sport
also attaches significant importance to driveability
and driver comfort. We are not obsessed with engine
power. We endeavour to produce an engine which is
driveable in all conditions and which gives drivers
no reason for complaint. Our aim is in fact to
produce an engine which drivers can forget all about.
It is often said that an engine on its own cannot win
a race, but that it can lose one. An engine which
puts out 10 or 20 extra horsepower will not change a
car's overall competitiveness. However an engine
which fails does. Track testing is essential for all
the considerations which are related to driver
comfort and driveability."
Can successful
bench tests sometimes be rejected following track
testing?
"There are
certain types of modifications which we know in
advance will benefit performance and which will have
no adverse effect on driveability. A component which
produces less friction, for example. These are
systematically homologated...if, of course, they are
reliable. However, it has been known for
bench-validated evolutions which can potentially
effect driveability to be dropped because the drivers
weren't happy with them."
How do you organise
your work once the season is under way?
"Track testing
is the final link in the chain before a part or a new
development can be raced. My job is to provide the
race team with a perfectly finished product and team
work is essential. During the season, private testing
and races alternate. Test programmes tend to follow
either long or short cycles with certain targets
based on a time scale of perhaps one, two or three
months, while other developments need to be validated
in time for the following Grand Prix. Engine
development accounts for around two-thirds of our
work. The other third concerns problems encountered
at the previous race. These are communicated to us
once the race team gets back from the Grand Prix
which means that our exact test job-list is only
finalised at a very late stage."
"I get my
satisfaction from hearing race engineers tell me that
their engines functioned well over the Grand Prix
weekend. That's when I feel that our job has been
done correctly."
Which in your
opinion is the best circuit for testing purposes?
"Estoril. It
includes some very slow portions, including the
chicane where engine speeds fall to as low as 4,000
rpm, which is pretty much an extreme case. Then there
are the straights and some fast, 220-240 kph corners.
It's an interesting circuit. The weather is generally
fine and rain is quite rare."
"Having said
that, it is important to test at a variety of
circuits. An engine needs to be put through its paces
at all engine speeds to be sure that it will be
reliable at all venues."
How do you see the
1997 season shaping up following the first three
Grands Prix?
"The first
part of the season has seen the performance gap
between teams both new and old to the championship -
close quite remarkably. Tyres look set to play a big
role throughout the year and that promises to liven
things up and add even more interest to the
sport."
April 21st 1997
Le Mans claims
first victim in 11 years, Brundle fastest, Bell wants
another crack.
(May 3rd 1997 Le
Mans) French driver Sebastian Enjolras was
killed in an accident whilst pre-qualifying for the
Le Mans 24 hour race to be held in June. His Peugeot
Prototype went out of control accelerating
through a corner hit the banking and burst into
flames. The last driver to suffer a fatality at the
circuit was Austrian Jo Gartner, In 1986.
(May 4th 1997 Le
Mans) Martin Brundle, ex Benetton and
Jordan driver and now co-chair and successor to aging
race commentator Murray Walker, put in the
fastest overall time in the weekend qualifying
sessions for the 24 hour race. Driving a TWR designed
Nissan R390, he drove round the 8.5 mile
circuit in 3.43.15, an average speed in excess of 136
miles outperforming Porsche, Lotus and
the McLaren F1’s.
Derek Bell 55,
a veteran driver and five times winner, is
negotiating with Gianpiero Moretti to drive his
Ferrari
Lauda has new
kidney
Austrian Ex world
Champion and Ferrari consultant Niki Lauder,
is recovering in hospital after receiving a new
kidney donated by his younger brother Florian. Both
patient and kidney are doing fine.
Villeneuve back to
Indy?
(April 30th 1997) Jacques
Villeneuve has intimated that if the racing is
not "fun" he might return to Indycars.
However, rumours that he will quit Formula 1 at the
end of the season are unfounded especially in the
light of his recent signing with Williams for a
further year. Prompted by the implementation of new
technical regulations regarding grooved tyres and a
narrower track width on 1998 cars he said, "If
it becomes boring to drive, then the pinnacle of
racing will end up being in Indycars, and it could
have a big influence on my decision," he
said. "I'm racing because I enjoy it and I
want to capitalise on it. If that's taken away, the
money's not going to be enough to keep me for long.
I've heard a lot of other drivers say that they would
look at the other side (US) also."
Villeneuve, who is not a member of the Grand Prix
Drivers' Association, had no intention of taking
his opinions personally to FIA Boss Max Mosley,
saying that, "It's one thing to talk but
another to listen."
Walkinshaw in scrum
with Hill (and Hill)
Tom Walkinshaw
boss of TWR and the Arrows team has
invested £2.5 million of his own personal wealth in
the Gloucester League One rugby union club. Coach
Richard Hill will join the TWR stable as part of
Walkinshaw’s 75% share in the club. It is
understood that he will leave the day to day running
of the team with those already present, but will aim
for additional sponsorship to improve facilities and
player line-up.
Meanwhile the other
Hill made cryptic remarks regarding his future with
Arrows, "It's important for me to know what
the future holds next year for the team." He
said, "I won't make a decision yet, but I
have to plan ahead." Insiders say that he
has given them ‘til the British Grand Prix to
sort themselves out.
But, ever the
optimist, Hill thinks he has a chance of a point or
two at Monaco, "I think we will be better off
there than other circuits. I just hope Bridgestone
have taken heed of my comments about the track
surface at Monaco being different. If we get a good
tyre for the race, I think we will be in better
shape. We have to adapt this car when really we
should be building a separate car."
Walkinshaw now has to
wait until the debut of the new Yamaha V10
engine in Barcelona to find out if the improvements
promised will enable the World Champion to become
competitive. "We are still waiting and I'm
glad I'm not holding my breath." he said. "We're
struggling with last year's engine and reliability is
one of the main issues, because in race trim we're
not looking too bad at all." Despite his
poor qualifying position of 13th, Hill was only 1.3
seconds off the pole position time of Villeneuve at
Imola.
Both Ferrari’s
break new record
(May 2nd 1997
Maranello) Both Michael Schumacher and Eddie
Irvine have been testing at Ferrari’s
track at Fiorano and continue to break the
track record. After Irvine did a time of 59.501s last
Wednesday, carrying out set-up work on the F 310B
fitted with the 046/2 engine, Schumacher today went
even quicker, stopping the clock in a time of
59.007s. The German driver continued work on finding
the best set-up for the Monaco Grand Prix, trying
different aerodynamic downforce and brake settings.
Schumacher divided the programme into a series of
runs, stopping for between 20 and 25 minutes to make
changes to the car, which was fitted with the 046/1
engine. Earlier testing was done with the 046/step2
engine in order to compare the two power units. "I
tried the 046/2 engine and am happy with its
behaviour even on this twisty track." Said
Schumacher later. "I am optimistic that our
car will be competitive for the Monaco Grand
Prix." Earlier in the week He drove 26 laps
in the rain. His best lap of 59.545s, was only a few
thousandths of a second less than the old lap record.
The shakedown for the three Monaco cars will be
carried out on Saturday (3rd) by Gianni Morbidelli.
Despite Ferrari
president Luca di Montezemolo criticising Goodyear
for falling behind Bridgestone in the F1 tyre war,
saying, "Goodyear is a giant asleep. If we
had Bridgestones, we could be a
second faster." , Ross Brawn
Technical director agrees with his Number one driver,
that Ferrari will be competitive in Monaco. "This
is a track which will reduce the gap to
Williams," he said, "It suits the
areas in which we're strong, rather than those where
we're not. We know where the problems are with the
car, but finding solutions in the short term is
another matter."
Barcelona tests
29th, 30th April, 1st May 1997
All the major teams
with the exception of Ferrari and McLaren, completed
three days of testing in Barcelona with
Jacques Villeneuve topping the times with a 1.18.4s
and team-mate Heinz Harald Frentzen lagging over half
a second down.
The Benetton
Renaults of Jean Alesi and test driver Alexander
Wurz looked strong, working through an
aerodynamic programme and front suspension geometry
to find a more comfortable balance with the car. Jean
Alesi seemed happy with the tests setting 2nd fastest
of the sessions with 1.18.65 on the Wednesday (30th):
"We had a good three days and have tested
things for Monte Carlo. We've made progress and I'm
looking forward to next weeks' race." Wurz
also ran-in a gearbox ready for the upcoming race
weekend.
Johnny Herbert
in the Sauber Petronas was third with a time
of 1m 18.84s. whilst Giancarlo Fisichella
still basking in the glory that even a few points can
bring, set a best time of 1.19.84 testing a new
electronic differential for the Jordan Peugeot
team.
Significantly Jarno
Trulli in the Minardi lapping at a sedate
1.22.3, was two tenths of a second quicker than The
Arrows of Damon Hill in the morning session on
Thursday (1st) and half a second quicker by the
afternoon. Hill did 46 laps in a test for Bridgestone
tyres, working on compound assimilation for Monte
Carlo. Hill was however faster on the Wednesday with
a 1.21.7 over 61 timed laps but still 2.3 seconds
adrift of the Williams.
Berger reflective
on his 200th
The San Marino Grand
Prix marked the 200th race for veteran Benetton
driver Gerhard Berger. Criticising increased
commercial and technical pressures since his F1 debut
in the Austrian Grand Prix in 1984 "everybody
puts themselves under more pressure: the drivers,
engineers, technical people." He said,
"It can’t be healthy, doing it to be more
efficient, to make more money. It's more material
today, and I'm not sure if that's the right
thing."
Looking back over his
career, he lamented the events in1994 in which his
close friend and team-mate Ayrton Senna was killed
and it was fitting that he should be celebrating his
bi-centennial at Imola. "I have led here, had
poles here, and had big accidents here. Obviously, we
all know what else has happened here. This circuit
gives me the most emotions," he said.
Team-mate Jean Alesi
almost as long in the business, presented Berger with
a specially commissioned crash helmet, painted half
in his own colours and half in the Austrian's, as a
memento of their time together both at Ferrari and at
Benetton over the last 5 years.
Ron sets Newey
some homework
(April 29th
1997) It has been officially confirmed that Adrian
Newey will be joining the West McLaren
Mercedes team on August 1st as technical
director, although it is thought by some, that his
appointment has come too late for him to play a
significant role in the design of next year's car.
Boss Ron Dennis none the less, hinted that,
despite new regulations and a two month testing ban
after the last race in Estoril, there would be
time to evolve a car that had Newey’s imprint on
it. "We have always produced our car quite
late and the company is geared up for that. We intend
to use all the resources available to us in the best
possible way." He said. Again, hinting at
his determination to get Newey integrated into the
team as quickly as possible, he continued, "It
is unlikely that we will turn up (at the first race)
having never turned a wheel on a new car, but if that
was the best way to do it, we would do it."
It is thought that the design process could already
have begun at Newey’s home in Oxforshire,
digital data being easily transferable at any time,
to the team’s headquarters in Woking.
Newey had been
prevented from joining McLaren for the last six
months by ex-boss Frank Williams, for whom he
worked as Chief Designer for seven years, helping him
in no small way to three driver’s crowns and
four Constructors cups. Dennis stressed that Newey's
appointment would not jeopardise relations with the
Williams team. "Our friendship and sharing
each others' views on every subject has strengthened
in the last four months." he said, referring
to a united struggle with the FIA, for re-admittance
to the ‘Concord Agreement’, "There
remains total harmony between our companies."
With rumours abounding
that Damon Hill has been seen in close conversation
with Dennis, the addition of Newey, Hills close ally
at Williams, could signal a change of seats for the
current World Champion for next year. (see
Speed Motorsport News Monoca preview)
Nakano for the high
jump
Team Boss Alain
Prost is rumoured to be looking to replace number
two driver Shinji Nakano with petrol giant, Elf
supported Emmanuel Collard, if his
performances do not improve. This could jeopardise
Prost’s Mugan Honda engine supply as Nakano, is
to marry the daughter of Mugen's Chairman, Hirotoshi
Honda. (see Speed Motorsport News April
update) Elf could however soften the blow
with a boost of $2 million to the team’s
coffers, if the French rookie is taken on board.
Nakano has accepted that his performances have not
been up to par but he puts it down to
‘insufficient testing’.
Despite rumours of a
move lock stock and barrel to the UK, team Prost are
to relocate their headquarters from Magny-Cours
to St Cyr near Paris.
Tyrell all ears
with new evolution Cosworth
Tyrell Racing
is to debut the latest-evolution Cosworth ED5 engine
and a new aerodynamics package for Monaco. The ugly
wings sprouting from the mid section of the chassis
are expected to stay for Monaco at least.
Statue to Senna
unveiled at Tamburello
Frank Williams
attended a ceremony to mark the 3rd anniversary of
the death, at Imola, of Ayrton Senna. A statue
was unveiled by Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Pires
at the Tamburello corner where the Brazilian driver
died. Bearing the legend ‘Il nom di Ayrton
Senna rimarra indissolubilmente legatta a quello di
Imola sara ricordato con un altro segno visible’
(The name of Ayrton Senna will forever be linked
with that of Imola by this special sign), the life
size bronze figure of Senna sitting passively with
his head bowed, hands on his lap, was designed by
sculptor Stefano Pierotti.
Chris Richardson
May 5th 1997
