2011 F1 Adjustable Wings/Spoiler?

It can't be used in the first 2 laps or if there is a car behind you? How do they plan on monitoring the use restrictions? This sounds like good tech but also a good reason for stewards to nit pick.

 

I like it! - At least they're *trying* to do something.

However, why-oh-why do they then apply such artificial restrictions? [Can't use it for the first two laps, can only use it for attack, not defense etc.]

Good to see KERS back (Dons flamesuit ) - Haven't yet read if it'll have the same restrictions as in '09 or if they can use it more - Anyone?

Cheers,
Ian

 

The FIA stewards know all!...... I believe all the data coming off the cars is fed to the FIA in addition to the pit wall - Same as the front flap adjustment currently allowed - Only twice per lap etc - They *know*......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Geez, so much regulation!! I wonder how this will all even work

 

Exactly. Just do the damn thing. Pretty soon it will turn into teams having to use 3 different wing setups during the race, each requiring a pit stop for full wing change.

 

So what happens in a long straight where the attacker successfully passes while still on the straight? Can the passee now alter his wing and the passer has to disable his???

Too many restrictions! Allow it or disallow it.

 

That's the way I read it!..... [Whether the advantage will be enough to allow such a scenario remains to be seen of course.]

Cheers,
Ian

 

Wow, I think I proposed this identical idea here on the site a few months back - adjustable bodywork but only for the following car, electronically limited in the manner described. Someone from the FIA must be reading this site!

I am conflicted about this idea... having only the following car able to use it is not really what F1 is about. It's an artificial boost given to a following car for no reason other than to promote a pass of a slower car against a faster car. On the other hand, overtaking is good.

I will reserve judgement until I see it in practice. It's well intentioned, unfair, and possibly exciting. We shall see.

 

One drawback to this seems like it come down to who gets the boost on the last lap, or perhaps the last sprint to the line. 15 kmh is huge.

 

Yeah, I was just thinking myself 15kph is going to make the car in front a sitting duck.... should be great for us, not so much for the leading driver.

 

I think they should restrict KERS as well as the usage of this adjustable wings. Just let them use it how much they want!

 

at least theyre trying

 

...good question.

 

The FIA are a pack of muppets.

Allow the damned thing to be used by anyone at any time or crap can the idea.

What's next? Device may only be used if the following driver is rubbing his belly whilst the leading driver is patting his head?

 

Its good to see the Todt administrations loosening things up a bit. While I'd like to see this be a bit less restrictive I can see why they're taking a conservative approach.
Never would have happened under the old *evil emperor"

 

Just read in the Pitpass newsletter that a light on the dash will light up when the system can be used. It looks like it will be controlled by F1 personnel or something. The attacking driver has to be within one second of the car ahead and will only be operational on predetermined portions of the the track. As soon as the brakes are touched, the wings go back to their normal setting. As said by some, sounds too gimicky to me. I'll reserve condemnation of the system until I see it in practice though.

Mark

 

Looks like by allowing this, the FIA is pandering to the aerodynamicists who like to experiment. It will put the costs up even more.

I can't see the point in adopting a single tyre rule, enforcing more engine restriction, limiting power and so on, but opening the door to even more aerodynamic freedom. If anything, that should be even more restricted.

 

So to make clear, moveable aerodynamic devices which
have been banned in most if not all forms of motorsport
for the last 40 some years in the name of safety is going
to be permitted (albeit with all these absurd restrictions)
in order to increase passing and improve the "show"?

Was there a particular incident that brought about the
movable aerodynamic ban to begin with, perhaps with
the Chaparal?

RM

 

I remember seeing pics of at least one Lotus 49 that crashed when its wing collapsed. For some reason I seem to remember it being at Monza.

Edit it was Rindt in Spain
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

This picture was of Montjuich park ... Spain.

Moveable aero was banned around 1968-69... F-1 teams were mounting very tall wings directly on the hub carriers of the wheels, to increase down force with minimal drag on the whole car. Some teams - Ferrari included had small motors that featherd the wing so during straight ahead the chord of the wing was in minimal drag position, then when the driver applied the brakes the wing moved to maximum drag position to aid in down force & braking. There were a number of wing failures due to light weight construction - un sprung weight etc... Chapparal used the same method in the mid 60's at LeMans etc... and was very effective - CSI banned the use of high mounted aero more as a way to keep them from winning than real safety.

Matra had a fully automated system with electric motors that generated huge down force on its F-1 cars, but they could never make it reliable -wing would get stuck in a position etc...

Mercedes had an air brake mechanism on its 1950's SLR's that raced at Le Mans - the whole back section of the car would raise making huge drag and aiding down force.... sadly that was banned too...

For today with the advance in electronics etc.. i think moveable aero is the way to go. Glad they are finally seeing the light. aero braking and trimming the wings is the way to go.

I wish there was a way to use the extra drag from down force to generate power for the next straight... that would be exciting and green!

 

I haven't heard an explanation as to why movable aero parts are still banned that applies a modern context. In the early days of wings--such as the photo of Rindt pictured--failures were commonplace due to the rudimentary understanding of aerodynamics and the rushed, slapped-together engineering used to implement the wings. I'm sure the assumption has been more moving parts=more failing parts. But I think it's an interesting direction to allow engineers to explore. I'm tired of the great engineering strides being made in invisible realms, like micro changes to the aero packages, f-ducts and engine/tranny improvements. I miss the days when everyone rolled out a completely different-looking product.

 

+1

 

+2

"Let 'em at it!" - They can tweak whatever the hell they want, whenever they want! [Gotta be done by the jockey - no "remote control" from the pit wall!]

Cheers,
Ian