2021 model in the Sauber Wind Tunnel

[Deesee]

First look at the concept, in the wind tunnel

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sn2eisHLwwk&feat...

Looks good to me!

[StevieBee]

Does look nice.

Those wings above the front wheels look important....and vulnerable if a driver gets a puncture with flailing rubber everywhere.

[mattikake]

StevieBee said:

Does look nice.

Those wings above the front wheels look important....and vulnerable if a driver gets a puncture with flailing rubber everywhere.

Yeah. Can't see that happening. One puncture = sc for the whole field to clear up the debris. They'd have to make these part of the front wing assembly or a puncture will effectively end your race.

[Eric Mc]

Wow - a modern F1 car that actually looks good. Lowering the nose makes a huge difference.

[Jasandjules]

Oooh that will make for some seriously close racing... Interesting stuff.

[TheDeuce]

The aero obviously works as intended, they've set out to acheive the result they aimed for, all good.

I can't help but think the overall success of this new era will depend on the instructions given to Pirelli for they new spec low profile tyres. Less rubber and more distance from the brakes (which are a relatively constant heat source) could mean the tyres falling into/out of the sweet spot endlessly, which if I'm honest even this season has rankled me a little.

Pirelli can obviously make the new spec tyres extremely stable and predictable - but only if they're allowed too!

Overall though, I love the new shape. I think it can only be good for the sport to have cars that look attractive and desirable again, rather than the tech-fest mutants currently scampering around the track

[Doink]

Pirelli have said they will make the new tyre with a wider window so the brake temps won't be as critical, they've only ended up here because the FIA wanted tyres that degraded, Pirelli could make tyres last 7 races along with the engine if they wanted to.

[DanielSan]

5-10% reduction in downforce for the car behind is a big step. I give it until Australia 2021 before the reduction is more like 25-30% it never takes the teams long to get anything back they lose from a reg change.

[MiniMan64]

Doink said:

Pirelli have said they will make the new tyre with a wider window so the brake temps won't be as critical, they've only ended up here because the FIA wanted tyres that degraded, Pirelli could make tyres last 7 races along with the engine if they wanted to.

Poor Pirelli have taken a lot of flak over the years for their “terrible” tyres when in actual fact they built exactly what the FIA specified.

[Doink]

I've read people's posts on here and other forums where they say they will never ever buy a pirelli tyre because they're st in F1 when in actual fact pirelli make some of the best road tyres out there, it's the FIA's meddling that makes them look st

[TheDeuce]

Doink said:

I've read people's posts on here and other forums where they say they will never ever buy a pirelli tyre because they're st in F1 when in actual fact pirelli make some of the best road tyres out there, it's the FIA's meddling that makes them look st

I know. Makes you wonder how being in F1 works for pirelli!? I guess the millions of casual viewers just assume they're the supplier because they make the best tyres.

[Dave.]

Not a fan of the 18" wheels. I 2onder what the weight difference is of the wheel and tyre combo.

[Nampahc Niloc]

TheDeuce said:

Doink said:

I've read people's posts on here and other forums where they say they will never ever buy a pirelli tyre because they're st in F1 when in actual fact pirelli make some of the best road tyres out there, it's the FIA's meddling that makes them look st

I know. Makes you wonder how being in F1 works for pirelli!? I guess the millions of casual viewers just assume they're the supplier because they make the best tyres.

Brand recognition is everything. So many people will but Pirelli tyres because they associate them with F1 so they must be good quality.

[Doink]

Dave. said:

Not a fan of the 18" wheels. I 2onder what the weight difference is of the wheel and tyre combo.

The overall circumference will be the same so what you gain with extra magnesium you lose with having less sidewall, if there were to be a difference(heavier) i doubt it'd be much to worry about for the wheel mechanics, they don't seem to struggle in WEC and their tyres are wider still

[Dave.]

Doink said:

The overall circumference will be the same so what you gain with extra magnesium you lose with having less sidewall, if there were to be a difference(heavier) i doubt it'd be much to worry about for the wheel mechanics, they don't seem to struggle in WEC and their tyres are wider still

I flicked though an old article on Autosport....

[i]The tyre manufacturer believes low-profile tyres, which are already used in the WEC and Formula E, have more in common with road car technology than the current 13-inch spec and would be better for marketing purposes.

Snip


The priority for Pirelli will be to organise a suitable test programme, which will require a 'mule' car or one with modified suspension.[/i]

Modified suspension to cope with the weight, or just the overall characteristics of less sidewall?

Just curious really.

[kambites]

I think their biggest problem will be adapting to the relative lack of sidewall compliance. Tyre deformation apparently makes up roughly half of an F1 car's "suspension travel", and on small high-frequency bumps (like those on many kerbs) it makes up almost all of it.

I wonder if we'll see them running over the kerbs less with the new wheels? Probably wouldn't be a bad thing if we do.

Edited by kambites on Friday 23 August 09:21

[Some Gump]

^that.
Current f1 cars.are.stiff as boards because the normal work is done by the tyre sidewall.
Still think they'll clatter kerbs - low profile tyres in FE, WEC, GT racing etc and it never stops any of them!

[TheDeuce]

Doink said:

The overall circumference will be the same so what you gain with extra magnesium you lose with having less sidewall, if there were to be a difference(heavier) i doubt it'd be much to worry about for the wheel mechanics, they don't seem to struggle in WEC and their tyres are wider still

I'd think overall they wheel incl tyre will be lighter, which from a suspension pov is generally good.

However as said by others, less sidewall = less tyre shock absorbtion. The suspension will have to walk a fine line between stiffness for high cornering speed and quick reflex to allow for running over kerbs. CE 2021 the teams that get this sort of thing right will be in a very good place, could help mix up the current status quo no end

Will also be interesting to see how the cars get off the line. Once again, the loss of sidewall height will reduce launch traction, combined with the fact that the tyres won't be warmed.. my new car might be able to do the 0-60 run quicker

All really depends on how much magic pirelli are allowed to perform.

[skinny]

Another reason F1 suspension is so hard is that you have significant downforce load pushing the car down - so you can't soften the suspension up otherwise you'll just be on the floor.

[TheDeuce]

skinny said:

Another reason F1 suspension is so hard is that you have significant downforce load pushing the car down - so you can't soften the suspension up otherwise you'll just be on the floor.

They basically are on the floor on the faster straights, the limited suspension travel they have at rest is all but used up by downforce alone. However, in the twistier sections when they need the suspension travel to cope with track geometry etc, the speed and downforce is far less.

To all intents and purposes, a 300kph F1 car has no suspension other than whatever give is left in the tyre wall. This is why top speed with a flat spotted tyre is a brutal experience for the poor sods.