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[scotty]

I just heard a very interesting rumour regarding Renault's 2010 car, in that they have a suspension system that allows the changing of ride height during pitstops. Such an idea appears to be legal too as it would technically be passive suspension. Why is this so important? Because they would be able to maintain a more optimum ride height throughout the course of a race (ie as the fuel levels decrease) and get that big diffuser working more effectively at all times.

I must stress this is just a rumour though, i have nothing to back up the validity of this claim at the moment so i have taken this one with a pinch of salt myself...

[7UpJordan]

This sounds very similar to the ride height adjust system that teams brought in the early 80's, to do pretty much the same thing albeit with their ground effects.

[Denthúl]

Now, that would be very interesting and if they are the only team to have done so (assuming that they actually have) then they could become stronger as the race goes on. Their car does seem to have been a little bit..unimpressive so far, though. Maybe they are just doing really long runs, though.

[7UpJordan]

I think Renault could be a potential surprise, Kubica has been pretty happy whenever he has been testing the car, the team appear to be keeping a low profile and not make many noises.

[cap-dude]

I was reading an article on Autosport about a week ago thats very relevant to this story

We now talk about double diffusers as something you have to have on a car, so most teams have focused on this area, producing the most powerful double diffuser they can. But they are difficult to make work properly because of problems with the airflow stalling as a car's speed alters and its ride height changes.

So if Renault can alter the height of their car during pit stops it will allow the double diffuser to work much better. That would be a very potent thing to have if Renault stopped near the end of a race for soft tyres, and lowered the car a bit and managed to go much much faster.

[Jensonb]

It'll be banned.

[welshie]

It'll be banned.

Jep, Because the cars have to be a certain ride height after the race. So being able to adjust that would surely breach that. Correct me if I'm wrong though!

[7UpJordan]

It'll be banned.

Jep, Because the cars have to be a certain ride height after the race. So being able to adjust that would surely breach that. Correct me if I'm wrong though!

Renault will probably study the rule book on that one and look for loopholes... I think as long as the ride height is returned to exactly what it was before the race they might get away with it, and the only way anybody could prove its use would be through some exhaustive studying of onboard footage, or from someone eagle-eyed.

[texasmr2]

It'll be banned.

Jep, Because the cars have to be a certain ride height after the race. So being able to adjust that would surely breach that. Correct me if I'm wrong though!

It would not be a breach if the setting was returned to "normal" at the last pit stop but there are so many variables that basically make the system just another headache, I think it's a waste of time and resources.

[Denthúl]

It'll be banned.

Jep, Because the cars have to be a certain ride height after the race. So being able to adjust that would surely breach that. Correct me if I'm wrong though!

It would not be a breach if the setting was returned to "normal" at the last pit stop but there are so many variables that basically make the system just another headache, I think it's a waste of time and resources.

The potential advantage is great enough to take the risk on, I think. Theoretically, all they would have to do is demonstrate during scrutineering that the ride height could not be dropped below the minimum level at any time.

[Jabberwocky]

It'll be banned.

Jep, Because the cars have to be a certain ride height after the race. So being able to adjust that would surely breach that. Correct me if I'm wrong though!

It would not be a breach if the setting was returned to "normal" at the last pit stop but there are so many variables that basically make the system just another headache, I think it's a waste of time and resources.

didn't Honda/BAR get done for a similar thing, but they where running underweight cars mid race and then putting a bit of extra fuel in at the last stop to get the weight back up?

[scotty]

It'll be banned.

Jep, Because the cars have to be a certain ride height after the race. So being able to adjust that would surely breach that. Correct me if I'm wrong though!

It would not be a breach if the setting was returned to "normal" at the last pit stop but there are so many variables that basically make the system just another headache, I think it's a waste of time and resources.

The potential advantage is great enough to take the risk on, I think. Theoretically, all they would have to do is demonstrate during scrutineering that the ride height could not be dropped below the minimum level at any time.

Yeah, definitely. All innovations cause headaches at first! And i think the minumum ride height isn't really an issue, cause if i remember correctly that is solely governed by the planks on the underside of each car...?

[Jensonb]

It will be banned regardless of whatever loophole they find. The FiA aren't going to enjoy having 12 teams complaining that Renault's technology goes against the spirit of several separate regulations - and arguably makes a mockery of a least 1 outright ban (Active Suspension) and maybe another (No moving aerodynamic devices).

[Gaz]

It'll be banned.

Jep, Because the cars have to be a certain ride height after the race. So being able to adjust that would surely breach that. Correct me if I'm wrong though!

Renault will probably study the rule book on that one and look for loopholes... I think as long as the ride height is returned to exactly what it was before the race they might get away with it, and the only way anybody could prove its use would be through some exhaustive studying of onboard footage, or from someone eagle-eyed.

It would be very hard to adjust during the pitstop without it being noticed

they can't just openly lie to the FIA

FIA:"What were you doing near the car's suppsension"
Renault "err..cleaning it?"

If its true it will be banned.

And if it not banned it won't be hard to copy.

It may even be very unsafe.

[Jabberwocky]

you could have some sort of system that moved the brake housing up and down the carrier. that way you would not be adjusting the suspension.