Italy, Maranello, Ferrari headquarters.
Schumacher, the car king who has become a consultant to the Ferrari team, stood in front of the red racing car, frowning as if he was thinking about something.
This red car is Ferrari’s car for the new season—F60. Compared with last year's F2008, the F60 has undergone great changes in design, especially the width and height of the tail wing. Due to the requirements of the new rules, it is not as flat and wide, making it look a bit retro.
"Schumi, do you want to go up and give it a try? You have never test driven our F60 since it was born!" A voice sounded, and it was the team's director of competition engineers, Chris Dale, who spoke.
Schumacher shook his head: "No, I don't want to be added to that young driver training list again!"
As the king of Formula One, he would be in a very bad mood when he woke up one morning and found that he was on a list of young drivers. The reason why he entered this list was that he test drove a Ferrari F2008 last year. The reason why I haven’t test driven the new Ferrari F60 this year.
Schumacher turned around and asked: "The double-layer diffuser made by Ross Brawn seems to be very effective. They won the first place in the Barcelona test! I heard that Force India has reported the double-layer diffuser to the International Automobile Federation. Is the diffuser in violation?”
"Yes. In fact, if Force India does not report it, maybe we will also report it." Dale said.
"We? This kind of report is impossible to succeed. The double-layer diffuser is not prohibited by the rules. At most, it is a loophole in the rules. The FIA itself made a mistake. If the teams are allowed to bear the consequences, That's unfair," Schumacher said firmly.
"Schumi, you are right. So our R&D department has started to develop our double-layer diffuser, and the first sample should be out soon. But as you know, the diffuser is a very important component on the racing car. , the entire aerodynamics of the car needs to be adjusted, we started late, and the mid-season test was canceled this year, so we may need more time for debugging." Dale said.
"We have already started research and development, why do we still need to report it?" Schumacher was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood: "Are we trying to confuse our opponents?"
Dale nodded: "We can't let our opponents, especially the McLaren team, get ahead of us in terms of research and development progress. But now that Force India is the cannon fodder at the front, we just need to fan the flames from behind. ! Our publicity department has just contacted the Force India team to express our support!"
…
Meanwhile, at Red Bull Racing headquarters.
F1 legendary master Newey looked at the double-layer diffuser he designed and shook his head with some dissatisfaction.
"No, the entire aerodynamic package will have to be modified." Newey leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes tightly, and began to think.
"Director! We just got the news that Force India reported double-layer diffuser violations to the International Automobile Federation!" Newey's assistant hurriedly walked in and said.
"Really? I originally thought Ferrari would take action. It's great to have someone as cannon fodder!" Newey smiled slightly: "Let's also issue a statement to show our support for Force India. Uh, symbolic support. That’s it!”
…
McLaren Racing.
Last year's world champion Lewis Hamilton complained to the team's technical director Paddy Lowe: "Without the double-layer diffuser, we are much slower in the corners and I have to use more shoulders to negotiate the corners. But even so, I still can’t catch up with the Chinese force! We have been following the red Ferrari before, and we finally defeated him last year, but this year, I don’t want to follow another red car again!”
"Lewis, don't worry, the team has already started researching the double-layer diffuser. Trust me, give me half a month, and I will definitely be able to install the double-layer diffuser on our car!" Lowe comforted.
"But I heard that we are supporting the Force India team's report on double-layer diffuser violations!" Hamilton said dissatisfied.
"Hahaha, Lewis, that's just a cover, a cover for us to confuse Ferrari! On the surface, we are opposed to double-layer diffusers, but in fact we are secretly developing double-layer diffusers. When we successfully develop them, we will use double-layer diffusers. If the device is installed on the car, it will definitely surprise Ferrari! We can catch Ferrari off guard!" Lowe continued: "As for the Force India team, well, sometimes you have to have cannon fodder to charge into the battle, right?"
…
Renault Racing Team.
As the person who ended the Schumacher dynasty, Alonso is undoubtedly one of the best drivers currently in service. However, Renault's cars have not been very powerful in recent years, causing the team to gradually withdraw from the championship.
But this did not affect Alonso's ambition to win the championship. At this time, he and several technicians were staying in front of the car to study the double-layer diffuser.
"We have to consider whether the extra horsepower provided by the kinetic energy recovery system will affect the downforce of this double-layer diffuser..." Alonso paused and continued: "Actually, I'm not used to this. Regarding the new kinetic energy recovery system, maybe we can try to remove the kinetic energy recovery system and use a double-layer diffuser, so that our car should be at least five kilograms lighter, and maybe this can make up for the speed gap without the kinetic energy recovery system.”
"Fernando!"
When Alonso heard someone calling him, he immediately looked up and saw a maintenance engineer from the team walking over.
"Fernando, Director Allison asked me to tell you that you don't need to be so anxious to study the double-layer diffuser. The Force India team has already reported to the International Automobile Federation. The double-layer diffuser may be found to be illegal." The maintenance technician He spoke.
"Oh, it looks like we can get off work early today." Alonso unzipped his coat and prepared to go to the locker room to change.
"I heard that Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull have all issued statements expressing support for Force India's demands. Perhaps the use of double-layer diffusers will be banned before the start of the race!" the mechanic continued. .
"Huh?" Alonso was stunned for a moment. He thought about it carefully and then zipped up his clothes.
"It looks like we are going to speed up the progress! I guess Ferrari's double-layer diffuser samples will be out! I have been fighting with Ferrari for so many years, and I know their tricks best." Alonso turned to the maintenance technician Said: "Go tell the director that these are smoke bombs released by Ferrari. They are trying to confuse their opponents. As for Force India, they are just cannon fodder sent by the big teams... But I think we can also use the trick!"
…
"Master, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Renault have all expressed their support for us." The official bowed slightly, but there was a sense of joy in his tone.
"Great! There are so many teams supporting us. Zhang Guan must be in a very bad mood now! I believe it won't be long before the International Automobile Federation declares that the double-layer diffuser is illegal. The car we have worked so hard to build, I didn’t expect it to be abolished so soon! Haha, Zhang Guan, let’s see what you can do to fight me now!” Omi looked very happy, without any intention of being cannon fodder!
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(End of chapter)