Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: An engine’s perspective

The 2010 Formula One World Championship reaches its thrilling finale this weekend as the Yas Marina Circuit plays host to the second consecutive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from an Engine’s Perspective

The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is a new circuit for Cosworth. The circuit is similar in nature to Valencia, with two long straights separated by 90-degree corners. Turns 2-5, and 15 through to 16, are relatively quick, but pose no significant problem for oilsurge.

Turn 7 is very tight, which can lead to possible issues with engine push into the corner, as well as pick-up out of it. The engine is usually in full injection cut on the way into the corner, both to save fuel and reduce the amount of engine push, although the latter is a driver preference. A balance must be found to allow the engine speed to drop low enough in full cut to negotiate the turn without the risk of an engine stall. If the minimum car and engine speed thresholds for full cut are too high, the engine will fire-up mid corner, potentially upsetting the balance of the car. If they are too low, then there is the possibility of an engine stall. Pick-up out of low speed corners is also generally more difficult, and getting consistency in terms of driveability is the aim here. Our focus will be to ensure that measured engine torque matches the driver demanded torque, as he picks up the throttle pedal coming out of the turn.

The two long straights mean that, as in Korea, spacing the gear ratios to suit both the short bursts of acceleration required between the tight corners, as well as for the longish straights, is a difficult task. Ideally some tow margin needs to be factored in, as the best opportunity to overtake is into turn 8. Kissing the limiter at the end of the straight in free air may be the optimum set-up for qualifying, but it could compromise any passing opportunities during the race, especially in the latter part when the majority of the fuel has burnt off.

As at Bahrain, we’re in the middle of a desert. Air filtration may be an issue, although this is unlikely to be the case since Bahrain is generally trouble-free. With the air filter now homologated, the days of circuit specific filtration are over, so your filter has to be designed for the worst case scenario.

Fast Fact

The Abu Dhabi GP holds the unusual honour of being the only race of the season to be named after the city in which it is held. The only other race to be named after anything other than the host country is the European GP in Valencia.

This Weekend in History... 12 November 1967

No Formula One championship race has ever taken place this late in the year. However, on 12 November 1967, Jim Clark and Graham Hill led a triumphant Lotus-Cosworth 1-2 in the non-championship XIII Gran Premio d’Espana.