F1 technical developments
Discussion
So what’s the next big technical development going to be in F1? Looking back over post-war cars there’s been at least one major technical innovation that’s if it hasn’t been legislated against by the FIA is still with us today:
50’s – mid engine cars
60’s – slicks and wings
70’s – turbo charging/tea pot air boxes/six wheelers
80’s – ground effect/carbon chassis/active suspension
90’s – electronic driver aids/raised shark noses
00’s – Michael Schumacher
I can’t think of any really big bang design idea to come into F1 since the 90’s. Maybe the FIA have just legislated so much it’s not possible anymore?
50’s – mid engine cars
60’s – slicks and wings
70’s – turbo charging/tea pot air boxes/six wheelers
80’s – ground effect/carbon chassis/active suspension
90’s – electronic driver aids/raised shark noses
00’s – Michael Schumacher
I can’t think of any really big bang design idea to come into F1 since the 90’s. Maybe the FIA have just legislated so much it’s not possible anymore?
One of the 'next gen' things for F1, could of been Plasma Field generation for use in Aerodynamics including drag reduction. I'd be suprised if they could get a plasma field generator system light enough, and if it would give enough of a benefit, even at 200mph ? I suspect it has already been banned by FIA though 
?
I would also like to see something like the REVETEC engine tried out in Motorsport. Looks amazing !
www.revetec.com/website/
Regards John S
? I would also like to see something like the REVETEC engine tried out in Motorsport. Looks amazing !
www.revetec.com/website/
Regards John S
Since the 90's things have been tried but most have been banned.
Active suspension
CVT gearboxes
All those other electronic gizmos
The McLaren "extra pedal" to brake only one rear wheel for better turn into a corner (or whatever it was now).
All the new whacky extra wings and vents.
Top exiting exhausts
Renaults flatter V engine
I think after all this they might just start to go backwards and stick the engine in the front, probably driving the front wheels and sit the driver in a prone postion behind the engine looking into a screen........the Playstation generation driver will be born for real.
Active suspension
CVT gearboxes
All those other electronic gizmos
The McLaren "extra pedal" to brake only one rear wheel for better turn into a corner (or whatever it was now).
All the new whacky extra wings and vents.
Top exiting exhausts
Renaults flatter V engine
I think after all this they might just start to go backwards and stick the engine in the front, probably driving the front wheels and sit the driver in a prone postion behind the engine looking into a screen........the Playstation generation driver will be born for real.
The old free for all approach is no longer possible. Up to the 1970s, designers had a relatively free hand with technical innovation within the basic formula. However, by 1969 it was apparent that unfettered development would lead to exponential increases in speed and an decrease in driver and spectator safety.
The first indication that restrictions would have to be imposed from time to time was the banning of the tall strut mounted wings in 1969. Ever since then, new ideas have had to be approved by the governing body (originally the CSI, then FISA and now the FIA) before implemetation. In addition, since 1982, new ideas have to be approved by the competing teams - which virtually ensures they are not.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 19th February 12:18
The first indication that restrictions would have to be imposed from time to time was the banning of the tall strut mounted wings in 1969. Ever since then, new ideas have had to be approved by the governing body (originally the CSI, then FISA and now the FIA) before implemetation. In addition, since 1982, new ideas have to be approved by the competing teams - which virtually ensures they are not.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 19th February 12:18
i'd say a technical part of f1 which im very interested in and i think is pushing the boundaries is BAR with firstly their complete carbon gearbox and secondly this upcoming seasons version of the gearbox with near continuous power transfer through the box (not complete like CVT tho). i like BAR as a team they have come up with some very interesting ideas
The point I was making was that it is very hard for teams to really try revolutionary ideas now. What with the FIA AND the other teams having to agree such innovations, trying to get them accepted is almost impossible.
However, for most of its history, F1 has NOT been the most technically advanced form of motor sport. You could argue that in the 50s and 60, sports cars (whether Le Mans prototypes or Can Am) were usually ahead of F1 from a technical point of view. They were also faster and more spectacular to watch too. It was only in the 80s as F1 began to gobble up more and more resources that it began to achieve dominance.
The only other time Grand Prix racing was without doubt the superior format technically was in the 1930s when Alfa Romeo , Mercedes and Auto Union GP cars really were the ultimate racing cars of their era. But that was before the term "F1" was invented.
I would love to see the FIA set up regulations within the F1 formula which would allow electric/hybrid engines, fuel cells, alternative fuels (diesel, bio fuels etc). I think it would really throw down a challenge to the designers and garner some valuable kudos from the environmental people as well. And maybe provide additional intetrest for the techno-geeks too.
However, for most of its history, F1 has NOT been the most technically advanced form of motor sport. You could argue that in the 50s and 60, sports cars (whether Le Mans prototypes or Can Am) were usually ahead of F1 from a technical point of view. They were also faster and more spectacular to watch too. It was only in the 80s as F1 began to gobble up more and more resources that it began to achieve dominance.
The only other time Grand Prix racing was without doubt the superior format technically was in the 1930s when Alfa Romeo , Mercedes and Auto Union GP cars really were the ultimate racing cars of their era. But that was before the term "F1" was invented.
I would love to see the FIA set up regulations within the F1 formula which would allow electric/hybrid engines, fuel cells, alternative fuels (diesel, bio fuels etc). I think it would really throw down a challenge to the designers and garner some valuable kudos from the environmental people as well. And maybe provide additional intetrest for the techno-geeks too.
John_S4x4 said:
Thats a good list of things tried and now banned.
In regards to one or two other things tried out recently, we have the twin keel (which has not been banned ?) and the Renault FTT - Front Torque Transfer shaft thingy.
Regards John S
It was BAR that used FTT in 2004 it was banned then modified and allowed to race, not sure if they are using it this year..
Renault are using a V keel this year which is new.
What’s a V-keel?
I guess things like gearbox and engine modifications don’t have as such a big impact to the public because they are not visible from the outside of the car. Certainly most of the things mentioned in my first post had a dramatic impact on the look of the car (with the exception of electronic driver aids and carbon chassis).
Maybe that’s what we’re looking at in future: more subtle changes under the skin of the car.
I guess things like gearbox and engine modifications don’t have as such a big impact to the public because they are not visible from the outside of the car. Certainly most of the things mentioned in my first post had a dramatic impact on the look of the car (with the exception of electronic driver aids and carbon chassis).
Maybe that’s what we’re looking at in future: more subtle changes under the skin of the car.
Eric Mc said:
The point I was making was that it is very hard for teams to really try revolutionary ideas now. What with the FIA AND the other teams having to agree such innovations, trying to get them accepted is almost impossible.
However, for most of its history, F1 has NOT been the most technically advanced form of motor sport. You could argue that in the 50s and 60, sports cars (whether Le Mans prototypes or Can Am) were usually ahead of F1 from a technical point of view. They were also faster and more spectacular to watch too. It was only in the 80s as F1 began to gobble up more and more resources that it began to achieve dominance.
The only other time Grand Prix racing was without doubt the superior format technically was in the 1930s when Alfa Romeo , Mercedes and Auto Union GP cars really were the ultimate racing cars of their era. But that was before the term "F1" was invented.
I would love to see the FIA set up regulations within the F1 formula which would allow electric/hybrid engines, fuel cells, alternative fuels (diesel, bio fuels etc). I think it would really throw down a challenge to the designers and garner some valuable kudos from the environmental people as well. And maybe provide additional intetrest for the techno-geeks too.
Interesting comments what would you say is currently the most technically advanced racing formula?
At the moment I presume that F1 cars and all the supporting paraphenalia contain the highest technology in motorsport. The reasons as to why F1 has come to be the dominant form of world motor sport both commercially and technically are many and varied but as it has risen to prominence, it has essentially leeched away all available resources from what used to be alternative international classes - particularly sports cars. The FIA and Bernie's commercial activities have more or less ensured that this has come to pass.
As I said earlier, this trend began in earnest in the early 1980s. In particular, the stabilising of the commercial arrangements surrounding F1 in the Concorde Agreement set the scene for the rise of this class of racing.
I actually think that this stable era is coming to an end. There are enough disgruntled participants in F1 at the moment to guarantee that the next few years are going to be extremely rocky - and we may very well end up with a schism arising - something which was narrowly avoided in 1961 and 1982.
As I said earlier, this trend began in earnest in the early 1980s. In particular, the stabilising of the commercial arrangements surrounding F1 in the Concorde Agreement set the scene for the rise of this class of racing.
I actually think that this stable era is coming to an end. There are enough disgruntled participants in F1 at the moment to guarantee that the next few years are going to be extremely rocky - and we may very well end up with a schism arising - something which was narrowly avoided in 1961 and 1982.
I think the restrictions now imposed mean that gaining an advantage is getting more and more difficult. However, I suspect that one thing will progress in the next two seasons, if only one set of tyres is allowed then advances in tyre technology are going to be a necessity. I think we will see the teams struggling early doors with one set, but by next season will have it sorted and that's were the advantages will probably be greatest.
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