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Tech Notes: Why sidepods are the new secret to speed

While many have been looking at F1's ugly new noses, Craig Scarborough has been looking further back to find how sidepod designs are fast becoming the key to gaining an advantage in 2012

As each car was launched, most people noted the difference in the nose shape, but as the cars start to test the most important changes are the sidepods.

For 2012, the rules have changed regarding the exhausts position. These rules were brought in to the prevent teams using the engine to blow a stream of fast moving exhaust gas over the diffuser. Now exhausts must be higher and point upwards.

However, this year some teams are using the sidepods and the air flowing downwards over them to redirect the exhaust plume, creating a downwash-sidepod. This is a legal way to work around the rules and recreate some of the exhaust-blown diffuser effect.

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