F1 cars - front wing

[tvrforever]

One of the things I've noticed is that a number of the f1 cars have the very front leading edge of their wings in bare lacquered carbon fibre (ie unpainted for 1/2 cm from very front edge) - I asked a few mechanics and team people but they didn't seem to know (or want to say) why. Does anybody have any thoughts?

[dilbert]

I don't know, but at a guess, I'd say it was because they wouldn't want the edge of the sticky label in the really critical area where the spoiler splits the air. They could, of course use a bigger label, and fold it right around, and underneath, where the edge of the label would do little harm.

All I really know is that if you have even a tiny ding, in the leading edge of an aircraft propellor, it affects it's performance significantly.

Edited by dilbert on Saturday 5th July 07:51

[tvrforever]

Still bothering me this... anybody else have any info?

[custardtart]

tvrforever said:

Still bothering me this... anybody else have any info?

i was told by a ferrari engineer it's becuase any material that might exist over the top could be subject to impacts by external sources such as stones which in turn would lead to external forces such as wind forcing the material up away from the structure and therefore to interfere with the wind flow over what is a critical part of the aero package of the car - hth!


just how badly is this bothering you?

[rude-boy]

:tinfoilhaton:

Of course the black rubber mark a tyre would leave on the leading edge of a bright red/silver/white front wing would have had nothing to do with reinforcing this as being a good idea to leave bare...

[schmalex]

Keeping weight out of the very ends of the car? Would reduce pitching quite significantly.....