The implementation of the new regulations concerning aerodynamic appendages is taking place gradually and several original fairings appeared during the latest tests which have just taken place in Qatar. This year, each driver – and not manufacturer – is entitled to a maximum of two complete aerodynamic equipment, one to start the season next week, then the other during the year.
As the first Grand Prix looms on the horizon of the Arabian Peninsula, in the Arabian Nights of Losail, let's take stock with Danny Aldridge, the Technical Director of the GPs. For him too, time is running out: “ Before the technical inspection closes in Qatar, which will take place at 17 p.m. on Thursday, all manufacturers except KTM must confirm their first fairing for 2017. This consists of the main body and the front mudguard. If one minute after 17 p.m. on Thursday a team has not declared a refit for 2017, then the opportunity is lost and they will only have the option of an update during the season.
“The mudguard is clearly made from a single piece, but the main fairing can be made from as many pieces as desired. The rules state that you can remove items from your fairing. So, you can approve the complete fairing and then remove elements and use the fairing with or without these parts.
“This means that if a manufacturer designs the 2017 fairing in such a way that it can effectively remove the parts that contain the aerodynamic devices, then it can choose when it wants to use them or not. The same goes for handguards. For example, the new aerodynamic parts added to the Honda during the Qatar tests were a sort of surround bolted to either side of the fairing, which contained the fins. Looks like these structures could be removed quite easily.
“The Yamaha fairing appears complete. I don't think they can remove the parts that house the fins. But they are free to change the shape and number of internal fins, because I only control the external shape.
“With the Suzuki it depends on how they attach it to the rest of the chassis. If they make it in one piece, then it can't be removed. The manufacturers will need to provide a fairing sample or drawings to Qatar, but I will also take photos.
“So if I go to Yamaha or Suzuki and the carbon fiber makes up one piece, they can't cut the fairing into several removable parts – even if the exterior shape is still exactly the same. The same goes if a part is stuck in Qatar and they try to change it to be bolted.
“I hadn't seen the Ducati fairing before it was used in Qatar. I have since been in contact with Ducati and they have sent some details, but I have not officially confirmed that it will be OK. I'm not worried, based on what I've seen, and also because I asked Mike Webb (Race Director and former Technical Director) to take a look at Qatar. We discussed it a lot together.
“To explain what I want: If you take the Ducati fairing and fill in all the indentations, it will look like a big bulb. You can tell it's inflated at the top, but the fairings are still inflated in that area for hand protection. It's just squarer now. So I'm not too worried about the Ducati, I think it will be accepted. It seems though that they have their design fixed, meaning they can't do like Yamaha and change any internal fin. Or potentially do like Honda and remove the entire aero section and put it back when they need it. The Ducati fairing looks like a complete device.
“In the case of the factory teams, we can expect them to have a 2016 and a 2017 fairing in Qatar. Technically, a fairing is approved for a rider, not for a manufacturer. So Pedrosa could have an approved 2017 fairing, Marquez could have another design, and Crutchlow yet another, but personally, I don't think that's going to happen. »
Photo: Andrea Dovizioso during the Doha tests (© Ducati)
Source: crash.net
