At the 6 Hours of Spa, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro featured a new bodywork configuration that proved to be a visible departure from the configuration we saw at the WEC season opener at Silverstone.
A fundamentally different front fairing, modified side-pods were new features on the e-tron quattro, along with new openings relocated inside the rear fenders to release air through the wheel arches.
“This configuration finished flush with the rear wing and at the same time contained many more detailed solutions. The goal: significantly lower drag by omitting down-force, in order to be better equipped for higher speeds”, said Jan Monchaux, Head of Aerodynamics at Audi Sport
“Down-force at Le Mans is not as important as it is at other tracks, we developed other solutions and new body shapes,” added Monchaux. “In this way, we reduce the drag. All the turning vanes, wings and similar elements are no longer mounted so steeply in the airflow; the curvature of the wing profile is less.”
“New suspension solutions, which restrict the spring displacement on the car to a smaller range, provide additional help. In this way, the turbulent airflow under the race car is reduced”.
Audi’s recent innovations certainly paid dividends at Spa and Monchaux. believes they should give the squad an all-round benefit for the remainder of the 2015 WEC season.
“We expect to benefit from this and to be able to use these advantages on other race tracks”, he said.
Image: Nick Dungan / Adrenal Media