Will approaches to aero be different in F1 in 2007?
Discussion
I had a trip round an F1 team's factory last weekend and without giving away too much, there might be some interesting aero tweaks for next year for that team for starters and therefore presumably others.
Some changes are driven by the move to Bridgestones, which have a more squarer sidewall than Michelins (whose sidewall is very round when you look at it in the flesh) but also in flow conditioning on the nosebox and around the radiator inlets.
Some changes are driven by the move to Bridgestones, which have a more squarer sidewall than Michelins (whose sidewall is very round when you look at it in the flesh) but also in flow conditioning on the nosebox and around the radiator inlets.
rubystone said:
Some changes are driven by the move to Bridgestones, which have a more squarer sidewall than Michelins (whose sidewall is very round when you look at it in the flesh) but also in flow conditioning on the nosebox and around the radiator inlets.
Can you explain this in numpty language? When you talk about flow conditioning do you mean controlling the way in which air moves past the bodywork? And what sort of changes are you thinking about?
There are also concerns with the split wing package that though it was designed to produce a wash that would make the front wing of the following car more effective it also produced a zone of low pressure air through which the airbox of the following car would have to travel. This would cause a drop in engine power and may not allow the car to get close enough.
Nothing had been done to simulate what would happen when one car pulled out to over take another either.
Nothing had been done to simulate what would happen when one car pulled out to over take another either.
AlexS said:
Nothing had been done to simulate what would happen when one car pulled out to over take another either.
Speaking to an aerodynamacist with one of the teams i was told that the car behind would more than likely be able to speed up to the car infront with considerable ease(rev limits permiting) and the tow acheived would be considerable, then when the driver pulls out to overtake, either left or right, he will then travel through the 'dirty' air and will more than likely be unable to steer the car back straight to pull alongside, either that or he will have to turn the steering wheel a lot more than normal, then leave the 'dirty' air and veer straight into the side of the car he is overtaking.
I think all will agree that could be a little scary at 200MPH down the start straight of Indy.
megy said:
AlexS said:
Nothing had been done to simulate what would happen when one car pulled out to over take another either.
Speaking to an aerodynamacist with one of the teams i was told that the car behind would more than likely be able to speed up to the car infront with considerable ease(rev limits permiting) and the tow acheived would be considerable, then when the driver pulls out to overtake, either left or right, he will then travel through the 'dirty' air and will more than likely be unable to steer the car back straight to pull alongside, either that or he will have to turn the steering wheel a lot more than normal, then leave the 'dirty' air and veer straight into the side of the car he is overtaking.
I think all will agree that could be a little scary at 200MPH down the start straight of Indy.
They are meant to be the best drivers so they should be able to handle it.
megy said:
Speaking to an aerodynamacist with one of the teams i was told that the car behind would more than likely be able to speed up to the car infront with considerable ease(rev limits permiting) and the tow acheived would be considerable, then when the driver pulls out to overtake, either left or right, he will then travel through the 'dirty' air and will more than likely be unable to steer the car back straight to pull alongside, either that or he will have to turn the steering wheel a lot more than normal, then leave the 'dirty' air and veer straight into the side of the car he is overtaking.
I think all will agree that could be a little scary at 200MPH down the start straight of Indy.
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