Formula One
28 November 2009

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Spanish GP engine preview

Spanish GP engine preview

09 May 2007

Barcelona is not generally thought of as an engine circuit as the engine is not under particular stress at any point. There are relatively few hard accelerations from low revs, even taking into account the new chicane, and the main priority is for the power delivery to be progressive and driveable in order to maintain the best handling balance, and limit tyre wear. The chicane has also reduced the time spent at full throttle, which now equates to around 64% of the lap.

Given the length of the main straight at this circuit, the choice of gear ratios can prove difficult. The wind direction is quite changeable, and usually provides either a headwind or a tailwind on the main straight. This means that the choice of final drive is important, because while over-revving is no longer a possibility under the 2007 regulations, spending too much time on the rev limiter owing to a poorly calibrated final drive will certainly cost overall lap-time. Selecting the correct final drive is an important part of the work during the practice sessions.



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