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More oil and gasoline than necessary
Sao Paulo, the engine specialists with a great challenge. The air for the engine is thin.
Brazil is the highlight of the Formula 1 calendar. At least when it comes to the true height. For Sao Paulo is located 795 meters above sea level. "We see the other 'high' race in Spa and Austria as tests, but at 800 meters above sea level is Inter Lages another step," says Remi Taffin, Head of Engine Renault.
Spa is situated about 600 meters above sea level, Spielberg once again by around 50 meters higher. Therefore, special tests were carried out on test benches under these conditions in the engine shop in Viry. "First, to ensure the reliability. And then also that to make the setup for the performance right," said Taffin.
The problem: In high altitudes the air is thinner, the oxygen content decreases from meter to meter. The curious thing: While in the old naturally aspirated performance decreased due to the lower oxygen content and also the load on the components, it is almost completely reversed when the turbo engines. Although the power does not increase but remains the same.
The turbocharger compensates for the lack of oxygen by more revolutions, the charge pressure remains constant. The speed of the turbocharger go but close to the limit. The turbo shaft itself may turn up to 125,000 times per minute by the regulations - which are more than 2000 revolutions per second.
This Sao Paulo is harmless compared to a venue that is waiting next year on the formula 1: Mexico City. The circuit is located at over 2000 meters! Even in Sao Paulo, the air contains over 10 percent less oxygen.
But the thin air is not the only problem in Sao Paulo. Same time, high temperatures have a great influence on the engines. This increases the density decreases again. In cooling Taffin expected no problems, but in performance. "In order to achieve the same performance, the motor must rotate much higher, which tasked the internal combustion engine," fears Taffin. But here is the test help: "On the Dyno we have looked at very carefully - we can test both phenomena simultaneously there."
