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Ferrari improves front wheel fairing

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Ferrari have brought an update on their famous front wheel fairing. Having it introduced only at Silverstone, the static wheel fairing is designed to improve brake cooling. As a 'side effect' it will undoubtedly improve airflow around the wheel. Even more so now as Ferrari developed an extra addition to the fairing. To further decrease the aerodynamic drag by the rotating wheel and the hot air exit, the team designed a winglet which is added above the wheel nut. Please also note an estimation of the brake exhaust airflow, marked in bright yellow.

Comments

By Arnax on 06-08-2007 at 02:35

Won\'t these winglets cut a tyre in case of touching another car\'s tyre?
On the other side, aren\'t they extended to outside the tyre, making the car a little bit larger?
I was reading the technical regulations and it states that the complete wheel can\'t exceed between 305 and 355mm when fitted to the front of the car. I don\'t know the exact measure of the wheel itself but i doubt Bridgestone would give a thinner tyre to any team since they\'re all the same.

By Rob W on 06-08-2007 at 06:21

If they have winglets on them then aren\'t they also \'bodywork\' and now outside the allowable width limits?

By Steven on 06-08-2007 at 09:48

In fact the fairing is a bit bulgy so that the wheel is the widest at wheelnut height. If you look closely you can see the winglet is widest close to the tyres while it\'s really small just above the nut.
I think they have just make it fit within the allowed dimensions, although I now think it\'s even more arguable as a brake cooling device.

By Arnax on 06-08-2007 at 17:53

Rob W. I also thought of it as part of the bodywork since it doesn\'t move at all. In that case the whole fairing would be illegal and already banned.
They must be allowing it to be used as part of the wheel but it really seems to be wider than the wheel, which shouldn\'t be allowed. Anyway, it has passed scrutiny...

By manchild on 06-08-2007 at 20:18

It moves together with steering and suspension (3D, XYZ). It is static only relative to upright and no other part of the car.

By mini696 on 07-08-2007 at 00:29

Remember that the tyre bulges out over the rim also so even though the cover bulges out over the rim it doesnt extend outside the tyre.

By ss_collins on 08-08-2007 at 19:15

brake ducts - thats what they are of course... why does the FIA not define the word duct??

By Keitho on 14-08-2007 at 09:19

Im sure that if another top team had come up with this idea instead of Ferrari there would be a protest in with FIA from a red team.

By allan on 24-08-2007 at 02:15

U may have a point Keitho... the problem is there is no other team that have the same creativity as that red team u\'re talking about....

By DTM310 on 24-08-2007 at 16:14

Because the cover is attached to the wheel nut which consists of two parts, one able to rotate and the other not, would the small vane designed into the cover be creative in using airflow to keep it stationary in the correct position at all times and in all attitudes.?

Take away the vane and the cover might be prone to rotate as wheel loading increases due to cornering etc. I think its a cool way of dispelling a small amount of drag from the tyres by using the hot high pressure airflow exiting the vent.

By Saribro on 24-08-2007 at 18:08

http://images.gpupdate.net/large/81915.jpg
Seems they painted the cover to look more like a normal wheel :).

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