Thread: Mike Kaplan: We strive to unlock the potential of the machine

Mike Kaplan: We strive to unlock the potential of the machine

After the presentation of the new Williams FW35 in Barcelona technical Director Mike Kaplan answered the journalists ' questions during a press conference. . .
Question: What was the biggest challenge during the development machine?
Mike KoflènBefore us stood a few challenges - improving aerodynamic efficiency, weight reduction. It was difficult to work with a new front spoiler - FIA tightened tests on its flexibility, it was important not to reduce aerodynamic efficiency and weight gain.

Question: last year, the car was fast on some tracks, but it lacked stability. You tried to maintain its effectiveness?
Mike Koflèn: As I said in the press release, we have made significant progress. Every week we set ourselves new goals and work on them. Last year we were not able to deal with the "Coanda effect" - we spent a lot of time to find a compromise between power and downforce, but since then the team have made considerable progress in this direction. Helped us a lot motormen Renault now we better understand the intricacies of the operation modes of the engine. All this made a significant step forward.

Question: what are the specific problems you faced in the past year while working with the "Coanda effect"?
Mike Koflèn: We have acted carefully, too carefully. Problems were associated with loss of engine power. If you remember, last year, many teams spent a lot of time on this work. In the end, we had the opportunity to use in the races solution using the "Coanda effect", we tested it in Brazil. Lotus also acted very cautiously because of power loss.

Question: In Lotus say that halved the power loss in comparison with the previous year. You have managed to achieve the same progress?
Mike Koflèn: Yes, the situation has changed for the better. I am sure that Lotus is much better compared with last year. We are constantly striving to reduce the power losses and the data collected on the tests, greatly help in this. Assume that sooner or later everyone will use such solutions, and everyone will have approximately equal power, not identical, but similar.

Question: In working with the exhaust system you have chosen the way McLaren, not Red Bull. Why did you choose it?
Mike KoflènWe have studied both spent a lot of time on analysis. We have no problem to copy a specific item. We want to understand why opponents have a fast machine, and then use it in their own work. We have studied both.

Question: Care Mark Gillan somehow affected the process of creating machines?
Mike Koflèn: No. Mark was engaged in the operations manual, and the world of Formula 1 live on an incredibly tight schedule with constant moving, that he did not come. . Gillan was not involved in the development machine, this task Jason Somerville and his team.

Question: In Jerez you tested two variants of the front wing - with "step" and without it. On the FW35 "step" no - this gives you the advantage?
Mike Koflèn: This is not the element on which it depends.

Question: One of the features of your machine was compact transmission, but on the FW35 it is still less than last year...
Mike Koflèn: We slightly reworked. When we realized how important it is to control the air flow in this area, we decided optimizirovat its layout, to make the rear more accurate, but in many ways it is similar to last year. In addition, managed to achieve some weight loss.

Question: Williams is the only team that brought a new car only on the second test. How important is it easily spend the remaining eight test days?
Mike Koflèn We adjusted the program. The days when teams worked on the reliability of the machine on the track, was left behind. Now we come to the circuit, when fully sure that the machine is safe and secure.

I don't think we lost much, missing the first session. In Jerez was pretty cool, the track is much wears rubber, many were engaged in checking the reliability of the underlying systems. We told ourselves that if we are confident in the health of the machine, you have nothing to lose. In Barcelona we will focus on improving its efficiency.



Question: Some engineers believe that solutions that help optimise the flow of gases in the rear of the machine by using the "Coanda effect", which uses your team and Caterham not comply with the regulations?
Mike Koflèn: From my point of view, option Caterham really illegal, but we have everything in order. Look at our plane is not one thing but two. The regulations require that in that place was not a single hole, so we used a small jumper. Thus, our plane is not made up of one part but of the two - look closely and you will see it.

Question: last year, the teams had more than half the season to familiarize yourself with rubber. In 2013 it will take less time?
Mike Koflèn: When you have a clear initial understanding of the tyres, you find much faster approach to its effective use. Initially, it was never supposed to go in Jerez, we went there only because Pirelli has brought new tires, and we thought that it is better to work with it on a well-known last year's chassis. I'm sure the team arrived in Jerez with new cars, new drivers and new tires only lost, but we don't.

Question: In the upcoming season for you will be Valtteri Bottas, but he is no stranger to the team. What results do you expect from him?
Mike Koflèn: Valtteri - disciplined and motivated athlete. He seriously worked this winter, a little lost, gained in physical form. Last year several times we could not use the chance in the race, and cause the whole team, including the drivers. Now we must concentrate on the full realization of our potential.

Question: would You like to spend the season in which you will be able to unlock the potential of the machine in each Grand Prix, but will not achieve the results which last year surprised everyone in Barcelona?
Mike Koflèn: I don't know. We strive to win every race and working to achieve this goal. We methodically move to this, implementing new engineering solutions. Our opponents are very smart people, so the fight is incredibly difficult. We are working on their own program, strive to make the car better. Our drivers understand the direction the team, along with Susie Wolff we spent aerodynamic tests on the ground in IDIADA. Now we arrived in Barcelona, to understand how we can improve the efficiency of the machine.

Question: due to the fact that in Jerez you worked with last year's machine, you had a two week more time to work with a novelty than rivals. Why you chose this path?
Mike Koflèn: Mainly early tests on the verification of system operability. Sherry is a unique track, with a very abrasive surface, which affects the tires, and the weather there was very cold. Therefore, we decided to explore our new car really will be difficult. Better we roll FW35 of the boxes in Barcelona and will immediately proceed to the tests.

Question: in Other words, the choice of route was a decisive factor?
Mike Koflèn: Exactly. If the first tests took place in Barcelona, we would have come with the new machine. In Jerez high degradation tyres, rear rubber withstands too little circles. In the calendar there is no circuit of this type, and it is unlikely or where we expect similar conditions. The question arises: how much we can find out?

In Jerez we evaluated the features of the new rubber, understand how it affects the pressure change and bumps on the track. We managed to understand, work with different level of pressure and angles of the wheels, while the modern design of the rear suspension complicates replacement of shock absorbers, stabilizers sustainability and springs: it is impossible to perform during the test sessions, because the work takes too much time. But you are right, if the first tests took place in Barcelona, we would have brought a new car.

Question: what track would you prefer prevoditelj tests next year?
Mike Koflèn: I would prefer Barcelona. There's a large amount of information collected on this route, it is easily accessible, airfare is cheap, there are good hotels, and the city itself is very beautiful. I was happy with everything, I would like to have all three sessions were held in Barcelona.

Question: What innovations are you planning to prepare for Melbourne?
Mike KoflènWe prepare new products for every race. Last year in 20 races we used 35 variants of the bottom. The task is always to verify the operation of all systems is still based, but when you start working with a new machine, you want in the last days of tests to test the items that you plan to use in the first race.

In Melbourne we will try to make a step forward, and so on at each stage. In Malaysia will have a little harder, but, like last year, we will pack in every race. We were able to develop the car in the same pace as the majority of our rivals.

Question: In this time of the year to talk about goals for the upcoming season. What are the challenges facing your team?
Mike Koflèn We want to unlock our potential, because the team was unable to fully do this last year, when faced with problems in those races, where could be better. At the end of the season, the Pastor was flown fabulous, but people didn't see it because of problems with the machine. So we want to demonstrate our capabilities and to unlock the potential of the machine.