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So pretty much every car released so far has tiny side pods. Obviously this is to better manage airflow to the back of the car. Because most teams have gone for smaller side pods, I can only assume that it is worth quite a bit of lap time.

By the looks of it, the Sauber has the smallest side pods as far as I can see.



The largest side pods seem to be on the Marussia - they are massive in comparison.

Yes, I can only assume they are achieving higher air intake some how.

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Ferrari have very short side pods due to their radiator layout. It has freed up a lot of space at the rear of the car.

The Ferrari, Mercedes, Mclaren, etc are all noticably smaller that last year, but they are still quite bulky around the exhaust exit. Looking at the Sauber, I have no idea how they have managed to fit everything in there.

Can someone please explain where the "exhaust/outlet" for the radiator inlet is? Is this airflow channelled/used in away by the diffuser or rear wing?

There's a lot of chat about engine exhaust, but not much on radiator "exhaust".

As far as i know the air from the engine exhaust is channeled between the diffuser and the rear wheel. The radiator air comes out of the back of the car and onto the rear beam wing.

So, given that the sidepods are basically about housing radiators, how come we're seeing such a change from last year, and such a difference between the teams? They all have virtually the same job to do as eachother, and as last year.

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Klaus Kinski: making me question my heroes since January 2013

Sauber said that after Sergio had his accident at Monaco they looked at the car and they started looking to make the side pods as compact as he made them against the crash barriers. .

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Disclaimer: The above post maybe tongue in cheek.

"I thought I'd get your theories, mock them, then embrace my own. The usual."

Small sidepods seemed to start with the Brawn of 2009; those really were so slim and small. A lot to do with radiator size, location and of course managing airflow into the opening.
Good pics of topic, OP.

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