Speculation is arife that team Renault will run tests for their own version of the F-duct innovation this weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Renault’s team boss Eric Boullier indicated in an interview back in July that team would very likely have the F-duct on the car in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps. Italy’s Autosprint and Britain's Autosport publications reported that the F-duct would be seen on the Renault cars at the Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and that it would provide a distinct advantage on the long straights.

Teams previously tried to create flexible wing sections that allowed the ‘slot gap’ to close under high aerodynamic loads and once this became obvious to the officials, it was banned immediately.

F1 regulators have carried out static load tests to ensure the wings cannot flex. If, however, the similar effect could be achieved by any team within the rules and regulations, substantial straight line performance gains could be achieved.

The F-duct has been one of the highlight technological advancements on the Formula 1 cars this season. It gives the car an aerodynamic push in the long straights enabling the car to gain more energy and the wings to fill the slot gaps for more speed.

How an F-duct exactly works (extract from interview with F1 engineer)

Wind tunnel engineers can do this by altering the slot-gap geometry and/or changing parts to simulate flexing-on-the-track. It's very easy to demonstrate in a wind tunnel - just very difficult to engineer it so that it's not illegal.

However, McLaren figured out a clever solution as they redirected the airflow over the rear wing and allowed the flap to stall consequently. As they have been very tight lipped about the system, it is most expected that the medium from the front to rear of the car has a vent in the cockpit that can be blocked by the drivers left leg, which is not in use on long straights. This enables the vent to direct enough airflow through the conduit to disrupt the flow over the rear flap and induce a stall.

This is an ingenious creation because the regulations are not contravened, as there is no rule regarding movable aerodynamic devices in this case, being the driver’s leg. Secondly, incorporating the design into the monocoque makes it very difficult for other teams to copy the device, due to the fact monocoques have to be homologated and changes are very expensive to make.

Renault in Formula One
Renault has been in the Formula 1 since 1977 but had their first full season in 1978. Their debut season was not as promising as it was expected but the team gained some ground the following year when they finished 6th with 26 points. The team became very promising as Alain Prost joined it in 1981 and stayed with the team until 1984. Renault was able to finish 3rd in 1981 and 1982 before finishing 2nd in 1983. After Prost’s departure, the team was not able to finish with good points until 1985 when the team was taken off the Formula 1 grid. Renault returned to the sport in 2002 with current World Champion Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli. The team finished an impressive 4th place after their return.

The two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso came in the following year and the dominance begun. Renault was able to secure its first constructors’ title in 2005 helping Alonso to win his first drivers’ title. They continued the dominance the following year before the Spaniard left the team.

The team was not able to perform at its best after that.

Renault currently lies fifth in the constructors' standings and a series of strong finishes may enable them to challenge Mercedes for fourth, although the team is still 26 points behind their German rivals.