I'll chime in a few points that can be gathered from the '08 F1 technical regualtions...
I'll chime in a few points that can be gathered from the '08 F1 technical regualtions (http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/67078D7E603750CCC12573DE003F2482/$FILE/1-2008%20F1%20TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%2021-01-2008.pdf?Openelement) The wheels covers are NOT considered to be bodywork as they are not entirely sprung (only sprung by tires but not by spring/damper/flex joints) as per 1.4 Bodywork. This fact alone exempts it from most of the regulations imposed on the bodywork. Furthermore, the only other regulation that really affects it is the overall width limitation of 1800mm per 3.3 Overall width. If you would still go ahead and classify these pieces as bodywork, you could still argue that they would be legal. 3.11 Bodywork around the front wheels clearly exempts brake cooling ducts (this includes the airfoils Ferrari had sprouting off the brake ducts). The wheel covers are undoubtedly affect the flow of the expelled brake cooling air and the extensions most definitely affect the flow coming through the covers (they are directly above the openings). For those that are trying to argue that this is outside what an "open-wheeled" car is... keep in mind that there is no real definition. The FIA has enveloped areas where bodywork may and may not be. The ACO has defined "closed-wheeled" cars as having at least the entire part of the complete wheel above the horizontal plan at the level of the wheel center axis be entirely enclosed except from the side plan view. So one could use a logical argument that not "close-wheeled" (not closed = open) would have any of the area above the wheel center axis not enclosed (false of a false is true). So this would mean that there could still be body work over the wheel, so long as there is an area of the complete wheel above the horizontal plane at the wheel center axis that is not covered, no matter how small, and would still be considered to be "open-wheeled." I'm sure the rules committee will comment about this before the season begins, but they don't necessarily have to rule them to be illegal. Also, if everybody started to run these pieces, it might be safer as it would reduce the risk of tire-to-tire contact while racing.
Sorry you went through all of that work, just to be half wrong. And i'm in no regard trying to be rude to you. but you left out the rules were nothing can cover the outside of the tire or extend past the tires. THAT does, not mean the wheel can't be covered...
I was wondering if someone would catch my mistake. Yes you're right they are different the latter being a derivative of the former. But, regardless they are still illegal.
Where are those rules? They aren't in the FIA technical regulations (http://www.fia.com/sport/Regulations/f1regs.html) anywhere and those are the only technical restrictions for formula one cars I'm aware of. As I indicated above, nothing in article 3 is applicable to these fairings as they are not considered 'bodywork' as defined in article 1. Nowhere else in the document does it place a restriction on placement of aerodynamic features. I design racecars professionally and can pretty much tear up any rulebook because there are usually many ways to get around them... in this case they can get around by the definition of 'bodywork.'
I'll get back to you later, not enough time right now. But i know they are there. It has something to do with the width of the front track.
These aerodynamic wheel covers suck, surely they must take longer to change tires with them, and doesn't that negate all the milliseconds they gain each lap?
Well here it is as promised, would have posted sooner however school tends ot get in the way of everything and anything fun! "3.11 Bodywork around the front wheels : 3.11.1 With the exception of brake cooling ducts, in plan view, there must be no bodywork on each side of the car in the areas formed by two transversal lines 350mm forward of and 925mm behind the front wheel centre line, one diagonal line intersecting the two transversal lines 160mm and 240mm respectively from the car centre line and one parallel to and 1000mm from the car centre line." And more: "3.3 Overall width : The overall width of the car, including complete wheels, must not exceed 1800mm with the steered wheels in the straight ahead position. Overall width will be measured when the car is fitted with tyres inflated to 1.4 bar. Air ducts : Air ducts around the front and rear brakes will be considered part of the braking system and shall not protrude beyond : - a plane parallel to the ground situated at a distance of 160mm above the horizontal centre line of the wheel ; - a plane parallel to the ground situated at a distance of 160mm below the horizontal centre line of the wheel ; - a vertical plane parallel to the inner face of the wheel rim and displaced from it by 120mm toward the centre line of the car. Furthermore, when viewed from the side the ducts must not protrude forwards beyond the periphery of the tyre or backwards beyond the wheel rim. All measurements will be made with the wheel held in a vertical position." I don't see how you can "interpret" the rules as the wheel cover's being illegal.
This doesn't apply as the covers are not considered bodywork (not "entirely sprung") per the definitions in article 1. "ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS 1.4 Bodywork : All entirely sprung parts of the car in contact with the external air stream, except cameras and the parts definitely associated with the mechanical functioning of the engine, transmission and running gear. Airboxes, radiators and engine exhausts are considered to be part of the bodywork." If the outside width of the front complete wheels is less than 1800mm they have room to play. They are not "ducting" air (i.e. air is not flowing through the structure, it is simply guiding air around it) so it isn't considered an "air duct" as the rules pertain to. I'll mention here that it can be easily seen that this protruding part is riveted onto the wheel cover and is not a single homogeneous part.
I'll agree with you that the rules are a bit vague on wheel cover's. Although, even though i couldn't find it, I believe there is a rule stating the outside of the tires can not be covered. So, this arguement could go on for a while, but i'll just let it die here. regardless i still think they are sensor's for tire deflection and we won't see this in the grands prix.
