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?
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?
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