What's with the antenna?

If I'm not mistaken that's usually found on the nose of the car, not sure why they moved it

 

The car has become radio controlled. Kimi is not really driving, its Micheal who's driving the car from the Pits!

 

it looks to me like a pitot tube used for collecting air data. Im guessing they just want to see the airflow over the top of the car...

 

Awesome! - Most I've laughed in a while - Thanks! [And, definitely possible - Didn't Mclaren send a car round Silverstone a few years back without a driver? - Possible urban myth of course, and comments about Kimi being a robot not required....]

But, yep, I've got to agree with the 'airflow sensor' theory - Except the thing appears so big it's more likely a whole shed-full of sensors as well as a pitot-tube.....

Thsnks for the pic,
Cheers,
Ian

 

good one!

 

I agree with Alan - it's a secondary pitot tube - the other one is on the nose of the car. There's three types of pitot tubes -> most commonly they are used on aircraft to measure airspeed.

Carol

 

This post is completely correct. ^^

 

how come they don;t use it during raceday?

 

Height limitations on the cars I'm guessing, but i don't know all the rules to be sure about that one.

 

none of the above its a italian news radio station to keep kimi awake

 

Brian - there is a small one on the nose of the car. There's radio antennas and a pitot tube.

Carol

 

"Up Periscope!"

 

thanx Carol.

 

Doubt if he would be listening to news radio!!!

 

my freind listens to it and keeps me awake. its like lstening to rod stewart
but faster.

 

Luca Di instructed that it be placed on the car to throw Ron Dennis off from the real source of the speed....

Kimi!

 

So that would suggest that they will be "flying" in the next race

 

In technical terms (and I am not an engineer):
I am sure they have the one on the front for data. The one on top of the car and probably some more under and by the wing sections where they measure the speed of air going under the car vs over the car, which calculates to "downforce". The idea is the reverse of a airplane wing, which gives you lift. To measure the actual lift or downforce you measure under and above the wing or object that is being surrounded by the airplow.

But then again....I am just speaking out of my you know what....

 

Australia reference:
This is "Coulthard protection device"