Early view of 2017 Williams

[Evangelion]

But don't you realise it would look even better without the wings and adverts.

[DoubleD]

Evangelion said:

But don't you realise it would look even better without the wings and adverts.

Looks are subjective so he doesnt need to realise anything. I think you maybe mean "dont you think"

[Piginapoke]

If only they still looked like this

[Eric Mc]

When you take the wings off a car designed to have them, the looks don't automatically improve.

Some winged cars were quite elegant, such as the Jordan 191 -

[groomi]

Eric Mc said:

When you take the wings off a car designed to have them, the looks don't automatically improve.

Some winged cars were quite elegant, such as the Jordan 191 -

Huge, simple front wing and a tall, triple deck rear wing. Nothing like the 2017 'improvements'...

[DoubleD]

They were never going to look like a 25 year old car though.

[Vocal Minority]

This is a serious question


Do people think regulations should be to make cars pretty, even if it renders them considerably slower than other series?

[ajprice]

DoubleD said:

They were never going to look like a 25 year old car though.

The cars are getting longer, especially after 2009, and this years rules will make them longer again.

A 1991 Ferrari 643 was 4400mm long, with a 2881mm wheelbase.
A 2000 Williams FW22 was 4540mm long, with a 3140mm wheelbase.
A 2009 Toyota TF109 was 4636mm long.
A 2016 Mercedes W07 was 5067mm long with a 3411mm wheelbase.

4400mm is a little longer than a current Astra or Focus. 5067mm is around the length of a 7 series or S-Class.

Make the cars shorter!!!

[Eric Mc]

I presume some of that is due to safety features such as crushable noses and rear gear box protectors?

[SystemParanoia]

I Always like the Wingless formula ford... they all have wings now which is actually a shame.

[Eric Mc]

Not too bad I have to admit although I do think that the more modern FFord cars are too wide.

I prefer earlier FFord designs which had narrower track when seen from the front.

[Evangelion]

Why do people keep bleating about making cars slower? It doesn't matter a jot as long as it results in better racing. After all, you could slow current F1 cars considerably, and they'd still be blindingly fast. And slower could well mean safer also.

[Eric Mc]

They get worried if F1 starts being slower than other categories.

[SystemParanoia]

then re-introduce ground effect

Im Sure Mr Brabham will be happy to do some consultation work

[Eric Mc]

Mr Murray, to be more correct.

[SystemParanoia]

Eric Mc said:

Mr Murray, to be more correct.

I stand corrected

Im sure he's too busy doing his wooden UTE thing at the mo anyhow

[Eric Mc]

Jack had long since departed the team by 1978.

[Evangelion]

Eric Mc said:

When you take the wings off a car designed to have them, the looks don't automatically improve ...

I realised that after I said it!

Ground effect would be OK though, as long it's not excessive as it was in 1980-82. I love the fan car idea, but I know that would never be allowed!

[Eric Mc]

I liked the Lotus 80, which was almost completely ground effect with minimum wings. Pity it was no good.

[FourWheelDrift]

When Gilles Villeneuve drag raced his Ferrari against a Lockheed Starfighter they took both front and rear wings off.

Turbo charged Italian Formula Ford.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtlraTcMX3g (rear wing is there in some shots, possible earlier test runs)