Analysis

Bite-size tech: Toro Rosso and Renault brake drum heaters

The FIA's new directive for measurement of starting tyre pressures may have come too late in the development cycle for Toro Rosso and Renault, as they test their own devices to counter what others have been doing.

Having already conducted some tests in Canada, Renault continues to assess the merits of pre-warming the brakes, including the disc, drums and other ancillary components as a method of improving performance, not only directly but as heat is radiated into the tyre.

As we can see, it is using a reflective cover on each of the four wheels which are pre-heated to a predetermined temperature by the heat blowers attached to them by the orange flexible tubing.

Toro Rosso front brakes

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Toro Rosso is also experimenting with its own solution, which differs from what we have seen the other teams do, chiefly because its brake duct and drum configuration differs from the conventional arrangement.

Owing to the way its drum is open, to dispense airflow out through the wheel, along with its use of a blown axle it may be difficult to utilise a similar solution to Renault and Mercedes.

Similarly, as the team doesn't have a conventional air inlet scoop it cannot simply plumb the pipework into it as Ferrari and Red Bull do. Instead, it has opted to use a rubberised band, which is placed over the drum and above the general location of the disc.

This band is heated to the predetermined temperature and radiates into the selected components to help manage both the brake and tyre temperatures.