F1 - Interesting tech Q&A
Discussion
Interesting interview here
www.f1technical.net/news/article.php?sid=148
Is anyone else interested in the tech aspect of F1?
www.f1technical.net/news/article.php?sid=148
Is anyone else interested in the tech aspect of F1?
I would be interested if any of the details released were worthwhile. So much of the official tech' infomation issued these days is a load of old waffle. Everybody is so secretive that they don't want to tell us what bits on the car perform what function. They twitter on about "this package" and "that package" without really saying anything.
I'd love to know how bargeboards REALLY work.
I'd love to know how much downforce is generated by different aerodynamic configuarions.
I'd love to know how much time is saved by using automatic gearboxes compared to manual or sem-automatic geraboxes.
I'd love to be able to see some reporting on the engines - and even the odd picture of one now and then. When is the last time you saw an F1 engine "exposed" in Autosport?
>> Edited by eric mc on Saturday 4th October 15:27
I'd love to know how bargeboards REALLY work.
I'd love to know how much downforce is generated by different aerodynamic configuarions.
I'd love to know how much time is saved by using automatic gearboxes compared to manual or sem-automatic geraboxes.
I'd love to be able to see some reporting on the engines - and even the odd picture of one now and then. When is the last time you saw an F1 engine "exposed" in Autosport?
>> Edited by eric mc on Saturday 4th October 15:27
We had a talk by the Jordan aerodynamics expert (oxymoron I admit) anyway, the stuff he showed us:
They push the air out and onto the side pods thus reducing the front shape of the car. They are also used to generate some airflow under the car and into the side-pods for cooling and downforce purposes.
This simply a matter of adjusting the airflow of the car, i.e. reducing the vortex's, making air go through here... The way the air flow goes over and past the car creates the downforce.
Without the clutch, manual slot... lots. I read that the new Audi DSG 'box changes gear in 0.2 seconds, I expect F1 tech to be better than that! The other benefit is the simplicity for the driver - lets face it, he doesn't have to pick perfect time to change up or down (unless manual pre-selection)
That will never happen. Apparently in all teams the technical department scour the internet, magazines for all the pictures of the car (top teams employ specific people to take pictures) and analyze the different configurations. The Jordan team for instance always had their barge boards behind the wheels where-as Ferrari had them further back. Jordan knew this and tried these set-ups repeatably... Ferrari do the same and now have their barge boards behing the wheels as do most of the top teams.
As for the engines, well Minardi bought 3 of the old Arrows cars to see if anything was of any use...
I highly doubt any team will release an engine for analysis-there will be something in there that other teams hadn't spotted or thought about and they wouldn't want to release ideas would they!
>> Edited by eric mc on Saturday 4th October 15:27[/quote]
>> Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 4th October 22:03
>> Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 4th October 22:03
eric mc said:
I'd love to know how bargeboards REALLY work.
They push the air out and onto the side pods thus reducing the front shape of the car. They are also used to generate some airflow under the car and into the side-pods for cooling and downforce purposes.
eric mc said:
I'd love to know how much downforce is generated by different aerodynamic configuarions.
This simply a matter of adjusting the airflow of the car, i.e. reducing the vortex's, making air go through here... The way the air flow goes over and past the car creates the downforce.
eric mc said:
I'd love to know how much time is saved by using automatic gearboxes compared to manual or sem-automatic geraboxes.
Without the clutch, manual slot... lots. I read that the new Audi DSG 'box changes gear in 0.2 seconds, I expect F1 tech to be better than that! The other benefit is the simplicity for the driver - lets face it, he doesn't have to pick perfect time to change up or down (unless manual pre-selection)
eric mc said:
I'd love to be able to see some reporting on the engines - and even the odd picture of one now and then. When is the last time you saw an F1 engine "exposed" in Autosport?
That will never happen. Apparently in all teams the technical department scour the internet, magazines for all the pictures of the car (top teams employ specific people to take pictures) and analyze the different configurations. The Jordan team for instance always had their barge boards behind the wheels where-as Ferrari had them further back. Jordan knew this and tried these set-ups repeatably... Ferrari do the same and now have their barge boards behing the wheels as do most of the top teams.
As for the engines, well Minardi bought 3 of the old Arrows cars to see if anything was of any use...
I highly doubt any team will release an engine for analysis-there will be something in there that other teams hadn't spotted or thought about and they wouldn't want to release ideas would they!
>> Edited by eric mc on Saturday 4th October 15:27[/quote]
>> Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 4th October 22:03
>> Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 4th October 22:03
I know, in principle, how all the devices actually function. However, we are never given any specific details. Although you say such revelations "will never happen", once upon a time teams were much more open. "Motor Sport" magazine used to be invited by people like BRM and Lotus to the factory to see how developments were going pre-season. Also, when is the last time you saw one of those fabulous cutaways of a GP car? The modern version of "Motor Sport" is currently running a series of these old cutaway drawings and they are great.
It's all far too secretive these days - more like a highly confidential miltary project than a sport. No wonder fans feeel alienated.
It's all far too secretive these days - more like a highly confidential miltary project than a sport. No wonder fans feeel alienated.
Things have changed over the years - but gradually. Excessive secrecy is relatively recent. Last year the FIA had to issue orders to the teams to stop them placing screens in front of the pit garages during the actual Grands prix. Come on, it would be like a football team blocking sight of their star striker so the opposition couldn't see which foot he was going to use to shoot.
What's the point of the sport if the teams are out to deny us access to it.
What's the point of the sport if the teams are out to deny us access to it.
You can understand why teams do it though, surely?
Team X spends £m's (and I mean MILLIONS) on development, testing, more development, prototypes, more testing, so why on the first outing do they want team Y to see it, and say "oh that's a top idea", get one made up in 2 weeks, and then see it at the next race.
It's a very extreme example I use, and in practice wouldn't happen, but basically if a team puts all that effort into their cars, why do they want others "stealing" their ideas? And remember how lucrative and intense the world of F1 is, you can't really blame them!
Team X spends £m's (and I mean MILLIONS) on development, testing, more development, prototypes, more testing, so why on the first outing do they want team Y to see it, and say "oh that's a top idea", get one made up in 2 weeks, and then see it at the next race.
It's a very extreme example I use, and in practice wouldn't happen, but basically if a team puts all that effort into their cars, why do they want others "stealing" their ideas? And remember how lucrative and intense the world of F1 is, you can't really blame them!
Understand but don't excuse.
They are gradually moving F1 away from a series where enthusiasts and fans have any input into what goes on with the "product". If you alienate your audience often enough you will eventually lose them. The teams in F1 are in it solely for their own sake - which is extremely short sighted. If they adopted a wider view of the "sport" many of the current problems would not be happening.
I despair sometimes of the way F1 is headed - but luckily I have enough interest in other forms of motor sport so that when F1 eventually fractures or implodes (as surely it must), I will not be at a loss.
They are gradually moving F1 away from a series where enthusiasts and fans have any input into what goes on with the "product". If you alienate your audience often enough you will eventually lose them. The teams in F1 are in it solely for their own sake - which is extremely short sighted. If they adopted a wider view of the "sport" many of the current problems would not be happening.
I despair sometimes of the way F1 is headed - but luckily I have enough interest in other forms of motor sport so that when F1 eventually fractures or implodes (as surely it must), I will not be at a loss.
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