F1 Aerodynamics

[Fire99]

A bit of a question for F1 statto's out there.

With all the hoo-haa about overtaking in F1 why do the current cars need to look like a cross between a pram and a ride-in lawnmower?

Looking at other race series like A1GP, Formula 3000 & F2, IndyCars etc all still manage to look like fairly proportioned race cars.

Why is F1 so different?

[Trackrod]

Cos it's not a one make formula.

[deevlash]

basically the cars have narrow rear wings now and an aero nuetral centre section on the front wing where the downwash from the car infronts rear wing would hit the following cars front wing so that there isnt as much turbulent air for the following car to have to drive in. That should make the following car able to follow the car infront without being slowed as soon as it gets close due to having to run in "dirty" air. Other racing cars were never running aero packages that generated as much wake as F1 cars were so it was never as much of an issue for them. A1 gp's original cars were designed to look cool as much as anything methinks and their new one is just an old ferrari f1 car.

[mchammer89]

Well they're made to a specification, whoever made that specification didn't want them to look like other race cars because they aren't other race cars, F1 cars should look different as they are at the peak of their kind of racing.

[deevlash]

Indy car have wing packages specifically designed to promote drafting as they call it, which as they are a spec series can be prescribed in the rules. Drafting in oval racing is vital as otherwise it'd be even more horrendously dull than it already is.

[deevlash]

there ya go, please excuse my crappy ms paint arrows

[Fire99]

deevlash said:

there ya go, please excuse my crappy ms paint arrows

Thanks deevlash and also please thank the 2 year old who you got to paint the arrows. (just kiddin mate)

I know F1 is the pinnacle (allegedly) of motor racing but IMO it's just the top of a tree of formula and hence I don't see the necessity of making the '09 cars so odd looking.

[deevlash]

I dont either tbh, although the rear wing is higher to make sure its running in air that isnt as affected by the air below that the front wings, diffusers and bodywork have all had a go at chewing up. I can see why they did it, I dont think it looks any good though. Then again I thought last years cars looked amazing and I though winglets were cool as hell so what do i know?