McLaren "flexible" front wing

any pics?

 

I'm not so sure it was actually flexing, the way the photos were you could see more or less of the cockpit in the pictures. I think the camera was flexing, but I could be wrong.

 

I don't know the only thing that led me to that conclusion was the difference you could see in how much cockpit was being viewed. If they win on Sunday, someone will complain.

 

'THIS THREAD IS USELESS WITHOUT PICS'

 

they don't provide those services to Malaysia

 

http://www.supload.us/free/mclaren(mh).gif/view/

 

I'd say that the wing was definitely flexing in that video...

 

WOO ! Let the protesting begin.

 

From that sequence of photos it doesn't appear the top part of the wing is flexing down. It looks like the whole wing/nose is distorted/flexing. Take a look at the end plates on the front wing and the main plane it's attached to. Just above (in front of) the top A arm where it makes two triangle pieces, you can see them increase in size and decrease in size as the top element seems to get closer to the nose or further from it.

But, I'd like to see this same shot on a different part of the track. If it is indeed flexing then it should be doing so at different parts of the track as well when braking from high speed. You always would like to rule out the chance that this could be something of the light at this location playing tricks with the image.

 

Good point. It does seem that the entire nose structure is flexing vs the wing itself. I'm not sure that will go over well either but at least the wing appears to hold form. Honestly, (as a Ferrari fan) I think it would suck if FIA rules out this innovation. I'm not ready for a spec-car series but F1 seems to be inching towards that more and more. I know they want the drivers to be the focus, but I really believe it's a series that highlights the best skills of the worlds best drivers as well as the greatest innovations from some of the most forward-thinking marques in automotive history.

 

I think it's just the front end unloading downforce loads as he's approaching the corner.

 

I don't think it would suck if they rules out McLaren's flexi wing, it happened to us last season, so why should it not happen to them now. Under the rules the teams aren't allowed to have aero structures that flex or change.

 

Agree, but I think the FIA is too stringent in general. Let the teams develop innovations.

 

Agreed. But, technically that means it's a flexible wing. They can engineer it not to flex.

 

Strictly speaking, no they can't. They can design for a certain amount of flex being the maximum, and that could be regulated to be a very small amount, but any structure that is loaded will "flex" to some degree. Even a reinforced concrete bridge flexes a small amount when cars drive over it.

If you'll recall, last year Ferrari's wing complied with the regulation regarding the allowed amount of flex, but it was flexing in a direction that the FIA was not testing for, and was thus perfectly legal. The FIA changed the rules to test for flex in new ways, which the wing didn't comply with. yo ucan bet the McLaren wing is in a similar situation, but if someone complains, they'll look at redefining the rule and making more restrictions on flexibility. Pretty soon the wings may look like bridges!

 

I know everyone is paranoid about flexing but its fast becoming the new buzz word round here, replacing keel!

There is no doubt this wing element is flexible - everything is, its just a matter of how many mm. and how often and at what speed and track position.

If it flexes a huge amount, or is seen to be rotating (trailing edge of the element lowering and 'backing off' the wing) then teams will complain. If it just wobbles a bit over bumps and moves a few mm at end of straight no-one will say anything.

Here's a screen shot and a full lap on Alonso's car.
Now we need the telemetry to see the benfits.

video 23.8 MB and compress with .rar
enjoy!
http://rapidshare.com/files/30809876/Formula1_2007_Barcelona_FP2_Alonsnboard.rar
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The pic shows the flexing on the straight, right side lower than the left. I cant imagine how that is somehow a benefit.
If allowed why would you not have another full width front wing like on the McLaren ? You can get equivelent down force with less drag using two surfaces, And one is in clean air. This seems no-brainer territory.

 

i just watched the video. thanx yellowbird.

it's so clearly the wing is flexing on the straights. it's bending towards the right hand side on high speeds...

 

Agreed, after watching the video it's easy to see that the wing is flexible. I don't think it's flexing to one side tho, I think that's just the angle of the camera mounted on the left side on top of the car making it look uneven.

 

correct. i'm really wondering whose gonna protest now. Spyker?