f-1 hubcaps...what do they do? | FerrariChat
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f-1 hubcaps...what do they do?

Discussion in 'F1' started by scottypoz, Apr 6, 2009.

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  1. scottypoz

    scottypoz Karting

    May 8, 2006
    54
    #1 scottypoz, Apr 6, 2009
    who can tell me what purpose those hub caps they've begun using the last few years on f-1 wheels serve? and what keeps them from spinning?
     
  2. Modeler

    Modeler F1 Veteran

    May 19, 2008
    7,330
    State of confusion
    Full Name:
    a.n.other
    #2 Modeler, Apr 6, 2009
    An aerodynamic aid.
     
  3. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

    May 4, 2006
    5,836
    Texas
    #3 ferraridude615, Apr 6, 2009
    The things on the outside aren't hubcaps (the actual rims are on the inside like normal), they are aerodynamic aids (as said above) and I believe they are also used as brake coolers.
     
  4. scottypoz

    scottypoz Karting

    May 8, 2006
    54
    #4 scottypoz, Apr 6, 2009
    i knew they werent really hubcaps, but that was the easiest way to describe them, and your answers are what i guessed, i thought maybe there was something more to it...they are quite ugly
     
  5. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

    Jan 7, 2006
    8,051
    Colorado
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    Kyle
    #5 1_can_dream, Apr 6, 2009
    Officially they are brake cooling aides, realistically they are there for aerodynamic purposes to clean up the airflow around the tyres.
     
  6. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2005
    23,476
    KL, Malaysia
    Full Name:
    MC Cool Breeze
    #6 Remy Zero, Apr 6, 2009
    I was actually hoping the FIA would ban it.
     
  7. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

    May 4, 2006
    5,836
    Texas
    #7 ferraridude615, Apr 6, 2009
    Yeah. They really are quite ugly but once again that would be a logical decision something that the FIA is unable to make.
     
  8. Alex1015

    Alex1015 Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2005
    949
    USA
    #8 Alex1015, Apr 6, 2009
    While the are brake cooling the also aid in managing tire temperature. A few teams are running tire gases that are designed to expand as little as possible over temperature changes in addition to being effective in heat transfer. In this way the gas can transfer excessive tire heat to the rim which acts as a radiator in conjunction with the rim shield which extract the air. Their shape also [obviously] serves to help air through the brakes.

    Furthermore, the shield is an aerodynamic aid. The wheel's frontal area and spinning nature are the biggest aerodynamic disturbance on the car. The shield attempts to reduce the effect of this and have a cleaner flow as the air heads towards the rest of the car.
     
  9. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 27, 2006
    32,091
    In the flight path to Offutt
    Full Name:
    The original Fernando
    #9 Whisky, Apr 6, 2009
    They are actually new driving aids they are going to sneak in little-by-little.

    You see, F1 is going after Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Robby Gordon, and even JPM and Scott Speed, but they need fenders to bounce off of.

    These 'hub caps', they will be getting bigger...
     
  10. mousecatcher

    mousecatcher Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2007
    2,116
    san mateo, ca
    #10 mousecatcher, Apr 6, 2009
    I thought exotic gasses were now banned?
     

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