This just in: New *spoiler* wing flexxing..

I'm smelling a Red Bull protest of Ferrari here this weekend...The oppurtunity is too sweet for them!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlzeww_ferrari-flexi-wings-2011-indian-grand-prix-fp1_auto

 

So long as it passes the FiA test I don't see any problems. RB, MB, Mclr are all flexing a bit, but not that much

 

That thing is flapping around like a wet noodle. That can't inspire driver confidence. Did Colin Chapman come back to do some design work for Ferrari?

 

LOL!! Did he glue some suspension compenents to fiberglass while he was at it

anyway, it's vibrating due to vortex shedding. Ferrari could be using these mechanics to reduce drag at high speeds, like the Mercedes (blown front wing)

 

FYI. I just heard that this wing HAS indeed been tested and it DOES pass FiA testing

 

Some in the game are of course saying this is Ferrari's big political move of the season. The intent is to show the Fia that a stupidly flexible wing which is potentially dangerous can pass Fia scrutineering but it certainly does not mean it should be used. Ferrari are either testing the Fia waters or going for a political move so extreme that the Fia will raise their test standards on front wings so Ferrari can essentially knock down whatever RB, MB, or Macca may be up to

 

Good Lord - that is the best conspiracy theory I have heard since my buddy told me the NFL would never give the Dallas Cowboys another fair call because Kennedy was killed in Dealy Plaza.

 

Jazz hands!

 

This.

Two potential results;
- Charlie issues a clarification stating it's ill/legal as he sees fit. If it's passed the existing load tests, move on, nothing to see here.

- He may also say that as of '12 it will be outlawed and/or the test changed. [See, "bizarre" engine mapping changes for precedent.]

OTOH, if he's really pissed about it, he can always fall back on 3.15.x (IIRC) - No moveable aero aids.

Anyone remember the Ferrari with *two* wings? [They'd reduced the size allowed, but hadn't put a limit on how many you could have! - This was their response to "water cooled" brakes btw ]

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well, evidently it's been tested and it's legal. But I bet one of the above you mention will come into play. We'll see what Chuck does or does not do. Again, this could just be Ferrari's way of telling Chuck that their test method is futile. Good stuff Ian.

 

All this means is the Ferrari have cracked the code so that the wing passes scrutineering but remains flexible in actual use (more or less just like RB has).

{But it is my belief that RB gets their flex not from the wing, but from the nose cone.}

 

Doesn't really matter *how* they've done it - As long as it passes Charlie's current tests, it's good - At least for this year / until they finalize the regs for next year - Late Nov IIRC?

The only way it gets banned is the "Charlie Rule".....

Cheers,
Ian

 

This is an 012 part. They're getting a ruling early.
Why spend all winter on a design just to see it scuppered at the first race?

 

Wow..how can that be legal...it looks so flimsy and unsafe!

 

Agreed. How many times can it handle being slammed into the track like that??

 

According to the BBC coverage of qualifying they won't use it and didn't use it anymore in qualy already.

 

"Because the undulations of the circuit were causing excessive and damaging flexing!", should be added to this statement, not because the they fell foul of any FIA ruling!.

 

The invoking of the "Charlie thinks its a bad idea" rule.

 

Quite possibly pre-empting it but I think Ferrari were far more concerned about the structural damage being caused to the wing than Charlie's dislike of it TBH.

 

I suspect it's a key component of a proposed2012 redesign. Getting it vetoed now saves time and money.

 

There is that to it!.

It would be a shame though, I'd like to see how many other teams might try to incorporate a "bird flapping" wing on the car for extra speed!

 

Yep, exactly. Seems he has not one but two Charlie rules;

1. No "moveable aero" - He got the mass damper with this one (!) and almost the EBD's....
2. The "unsafe construction" rule - This is apparently the one he used when he paid Ferrari a quiet visit on Friday evening......

Nah - I could be wrong eek but IMO they knew *exactly* the way that sucker was going to behave (sparks everywhere). I believe Ferrari were deliberately pushing the envelope in order to get a clarification and, as, Viz notes, to ensure nobody (not just them) can play similar games next year. "No more flexi wings!".......

I do think Ross has something up his sleeve with exhaust routing/blowing though.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Thinking on this, sparks flying all over the place can't be good. When I was involved with the sliding skirt cars we put little *ceramic* "sticks" into the bottom of the skirt - No sparks!

OK, that thing was fluttering like a hummingbird but I do think the sparks made it look "worse" than it would have with ceramics on the bottom......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Return of the Grassy Knoll Gang to F Chat.

 

If Stefano is to be believed it seems I was indeed wrong! From Autosport;

I dunno if I believe him though - That wing must have been laid up differently to allow so much flex IMO - If it was "defect" (yeah, right!) in manufacturing would it have been duplicated on both sides? I reckon they're up to something and want to see how far they can push it before Charlie steps in.

Cheers,
Ian