(Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

Post here all non technical related topics about Formula One. This includes race results, discussions, testing analysis etc. TV coverage and other personal questions should be in Off topic chat.
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lio007
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Joined: 28 Jan 2013, 23:03
Location: Austria

(Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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Something I've ever wanted to know are the things behind the scenes.

Recently more and more F1-engineers share their experiences in F1.

Here's one oft the most recent ones: https://www.reddit.com/r/F1Technical/co ... e_working/

Really worth a read!
I never thought Teams like Merc using Excel and VBA to that extent in their strategy department.

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El Scorchio
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Joined: 29 Jul 2019, 12:41

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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That's really interesting- thanks for posting! I like that he's honest about negatives as well as positives.
The stuff about the two drivers is great.

REALLY interesting is the stuff about Monaco and how the strategy team works/worked.

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strad
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Joined: 02 Jan 2010, 01:57

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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@lio007
Thank you.. nice peek behind the curtain.
Steve Matchett and Marc "Elvis" Priestley's books offer a good peek is you haven't read them. :wink:
To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster.”
Sir Stirling Moss

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dren
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Joined: 03 Mar 2010, 14:14

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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Thanks for the post, great read!
Honda!

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FrukostScones
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Joined: 25 May 2010, 17:41
Location: European Union

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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Great read, but rather sounds : /
Finishing races is important, but racing is more important.

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lio007
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Joined: 28 Jan 2013, 23:03
Location: Austria

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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A new one from an Aerodynamicist!
He or she is also around here recently e.g. in the RB16-thread.

Oh...I really enjoyed it: https://www.reddit.com/r/F1Technical/co ... ynamicist/
Also the comments- or Q&A-section in this case is worth a read!

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hollus
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Joined: 29 Mar 2009, 01:21
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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Thank you lio007. Cool finds.

And cool reads.

Regarding this last one, I find it hard to understand that F1 teams really spend little time analyzing the competition's aero. And it shows, in how a cape can take years to be copied, for example.

I get it that each car has its own flow field. The PU almost forces that, although of course many teams have the same PU and could converge if they so desired. And now we've all have seen how much time is in a (say, pink) copy. I know, it wasn't all aero, but still.
I guess what I don't get is that the current rules limit your on track testing time (hence on track aero testing time). They also limit your wind tunnel hours and sizes. And they limit your CFD flops.
This means that the other teams have, collectively, 900% of your capacity to assess aero things, and many more heads on it as well.
And you "spying time" is not limited. Hiring a couple of guys exclusively to do that, in obsessive detail, costs only money. And I guess they'd have to do it without CFD, as the CFD time is limited for the team. But it is about the one unlimited thing left in aero in this rule set, isn't it?
Rivals, not enemies.

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nzjrs
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Joined: 07 Jan 2015, 11:21
Location: Redacted

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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hollus wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 11:18
And you "spying time" is not limited. Hiring a couple of guys exclusively to do that, in obsessive detail, costs only money. And I guess they'd have to do it without CFD, as the CFD time is limited for the team. But it is about the one unlimited thing left in aero in this rule set, isn't it?
In response to the Pink Mercedes they did introduce a rule for ?2021? to ban the use of photogrammetry software and 3D scanners to create 3D meshes from competitors cars for.... something. That is, I would need to read the actual regulation to check if the rule prohibits using those 3D meshes for copying a design vs understanding a competitor.

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Big Tea
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Joined: 24 Dec 2017, 20:57

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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nzjrs wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 12:03
hollus wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 11:18
And you "spying time" is not limited. Hiring a couple of guys exclusively to do that, in obsessive detail, costs only money. And I guess they'd have to do it without CFD, as the CFD time is limited for the team. But it is about the one unlimited thing left in aero in this rule set, isn't it?
In response to the Pink Mercedes they did introduce a rule for ?2021? to ban the use of photogrammetry software and 3D scanners to create 3D meshes from competitors cars for.... something. That is, I would need to read the actual regulation to check if the rule prohibits using those 3D meshes for copying a design vs understanding a competitor.
If the people studying the model do not work for any F1 team, they would not be prohibited.
Maybe there is a niche for a company to be 'specialists' in an area and be subbed in to 'give training' on a topic?
Could be employment for some layed off engineers to start their own business?
When arguing with a fool, be sure the other person is not doing the same thing.

Billzilla
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Joined: 24 May 2011, 01:28
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Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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I do wonder at how the CFD computing power is monitored - It'd be very easy to just have a factory unit, fill it up with computers and let them run flat-out full-time. It wouldn't even need someone to be there in person.

Slo Poke
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Joined: 11 Apr 2019, 12:14

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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Big Tea wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 13:16
nzjrs wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 12:03
hollus wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 11:18
And you "spying time" is not limited. Hiring a couple of guys exclusively to do that, in obsessive detail, costs only money. And I guess they'd have to do it without CFD, as the CFD time is limited for the team. But it is about the one unlimited thing left in aero in this rule set, isn't it?
In response to the Pink Mercedes they did introduce a rule for ?2021? to ban the use of photogrammetry software and 3D scanners to create 3D meshes from competitors cars for.... something. That is, I would need to read the actual regulation to check if the rule prohibits using those 3D meshes for copying a design vs understanding a competitor.
If the people studying the model do not work for any F1 team, they would not be prohibited.
Maybe there is a niche for a company to be 'specialists' in an area and be subbed in to 'give training' on a topic?
Could be employment for some layed off engineers to start their own business?
Been there done that, Big Tea! Doesn’t pay. You’re simply stepped on and ground in. Tidy-up a tyre burning rear axle to the point Rosberg can pit on lap one and then drive to a very impressive second place and all you will receive is a, “Welcome to the piranha club.” from an entity known as E.J. Spa, Channel Four T.V. Post so-called illegal tyre test. So-called because it was actually an engine test. So! What-a-to-do? Hatch and execute a plan to burn ‘em down. Once realised Wolfy boy stomps up and down the pit lane calling everyone a male body part with a head on it. (Second Silverstone).
They came, they sought, they were oh-so close with a C.V.T. Austria. So were gifted that final elusive step that’s worth billions, only to be blinded by Horner to its origin! Big fat black cloud on their National Emblem for that one Christian. No matter though! They have all their ducks in a row ready to fly back Far East in order to seek loftier goals I’ll bet. I actually wish them well as they’re leaving behind them much enjoyment to be had. I, for one, will relish watching the two cuckoos getting ejected from their feathered nest.

The above are a few concrete material facts, that you will all choose to disbelieve... hey-ho.

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El Scorchio
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Joined: 29 Jul 2019, 12:41

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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Slo Poke wrote:
18 Jan 2021, 13:47
Big Tea wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 13:16
nzjrs wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 12:03


In response to the Pink Mercedes they did introduce a rule for ?2021? to ban the use of photogrammetry software and 3D scanners to create 3D meshes from competitors cars for.... something. That is, I would need to read the actual regulation to check if the rule prohibits using those 3D meshes for copying a design vs understanding a competitor.
If the people studying the model do not work for any F1 team, they would not be prohibited.
Maybe there is a niche for a company to be 'specialists' in an area and be subbed in to 'give training' on a topic?
Could be employment for some layed off engineers to start their own business?
Been there done that, Big Tea! Doesn’t pay. You’re simply stepped on and ground in. Tidy-up a tyre burning rear axle to the point Rosberg can pit on lap one and then drive to a very impressive second place and all you will receive is a, “Welcome to the piranha club.” from an entity known as E.J. Spa, Channel Four T.V. Post so-called illegal tyre test. So-called because it was actually an engine test. So! What-a-to-do? Hatch and execute a plan to burn ‘em down. Once realised Wolfy boy stomps up and down the pit lane calling everyone a male body part with a head on it. (Second Silverstone).
They came, they sought, they were oh-so close with a C.V.T. Austria. So were gifted that final elusive step that’s worth billions, only to be blinded by Horner to its origin! Big fat black cloud on their National Emblem for that one Christian. No matter though! They have all their ducks in a row ready to fly back Far East in order to seek loftier goals I’ll bet. I actually wish them well as they’re leaving behind them much enjoyment to be had. I, for one, will relish watching the two cuckoos getting ejected from their feathered nest.

The above are a few concrete material facts, that you will all choose to disbelieve... hey-ho.
You might need to repeat them in English first, to be fair.

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nzjrs
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Joined: 07 Jan 2015, 11:21
Location: Redacted

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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El Scorchio wrote:
19 Jan 2021, 13:51
Slo Poke wrote:
18 Jan 2021, 13:47

The above are a few concrete material facts, that you will all choose to disbelieve... hey-ho.
You might need to repeat them in English first, to be fair.
Confusing. This most recent poem by Slo Poke was in response to a comment about Aero reverse-engineering, but is not exactly the same type of poem as other posts by the same user.

Based upon my memory of this member's post history. He wrote a few poems about 'diff magic' being something significant only on the Mercedes, and has also mentioned the Mercedes is mechanically converging to the RB. This post reads like he is/was a mildly disappointed ex-MB transmission/mechanical/chassis/suspension engineer who helped with some tire wear/diff issues that helped notably Rosberg with that one race, but then - and I only speak English and not poetic obfuscated English - it sounds like he then tried to get a job a RB with this technology and Wolf called him a dickhead, and Horner wasn't too interested, and then Honda left so hahaha all is well that ends well?

No offence intended, I'm no artist and I'm just working with what I've got here.

@Slo Poke - am I warm or cold?

Slo Poke
3
Joined: 11 Apr 2019, 12:14

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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El Scorchio wrote:
19 Jan 2021, 13:51
Slo Poke wrote:
18 Jan 2021, 13:47
Big Tea wrote:
17 Jan 2021, 13:16

If the people studying the model do not work for any F1 team, they would not be prohibited.
Maybe there is a niche for a company to be 'specialists' in an area and be subbed in to 'give training' on a topic?
Could be employment for some layed off engineers to start their own business?
Been there done that, Big Tea! Doesn’t pay. You’re simply stepped on and ground in. Tidy-up a tyre burning rear axle to the point Rosberg can pit on lap one and then drive to a very impressive second place and all you will receive is a, “Welcome to the piranha club.” from an entity known as E.J. Spa, Channel Four T.V. Post so-called illegal tyre test. So-called because it was actually an engine test. So! What-a-to-do? Hatch and execute a plan to burn ‘em down. Once realised Wolfy boy stomps up and down the pit lane calling everyone a male body part with a head on it. (Second Silverstone).
They came, they sought, they were oh-so close with a C.V.T. Austria. So were gifted that final elusive step that’s worth billions, only to be blinded by Horner to its origin! Big fat black cloud on their National Emblem for that one Christian. No matter though! They have all their ducks in a row ready to fly back Far East in order to seek loftier goals I’ll bet. I actually wish them well as they’re leaving behind them much enjoyment to be had. I, for one, will relish watching the two cuckoos getting ejected from their feathered nest.

The above are a few concrete material facts, that you will all choose to disbelieve... hey-ho.
You might need to repeat them in English first, to be fair.
El Scorchio: I’m an Englishman that resides in England and as far as I’m aware my above text is written in English. Nonetheless please feel free to be specific in what it is you’re failing to understand.
Overall, my above comment merely aims to discount the validity/viability of Big Tea’s idea concerning laid-off engineers starting their own business. I am not an ex-engineer but I have delved into the basics of what he proposes. Alas I found it fair to say, that reasonless lust for money to be extremely unpleasant and disgustfully paramount.

Slo Poke
3
Joined: 11 Apr 2019, 12:14

Re: (Ex-)F1 Engineers and their stories

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nzjrs wrote:
19 Jan 2021, 15:19
El Scorchio wrote:
19 Jan 2021, 13:51
Slo Poke wrote:
18 Jan 2021, 13:47

The above are a few concrete material facts, that you will all choose to disbelieve... hey-ho.
You might need to repeat them in English first, to be fair.
Confusing. This most recent poem by Slo Poke was in response to a comment about Aero reverse-engineering, but is not exactly the same type of poem as other posts by the same user.

Based upon my memory of this member's post history. He wrote a few poems about 'diff magic' being something significant only on the Mercedes, and has also mentioned the Mercedes is mechanically converging to the RB. This post reads like he is/was a mildly disappointed ex-MB transmission/mechanical/chassis/suspension engineer who helped with some tire wear/diff issues that helped notably Rosberg with that one race, but then - and I only speak English and not poetic obfuscated English - it sounds like he then tried to get a job a RB with this technology and Wolf called him a dickhead, and Horner wasn't too interested, and then Honda left so hahaha all is well that ends well?

No offence intended, I'm no artist and I'm just working with what I've got here.

@Slo Poke - am I warm or cold?
Nzjrs:
@Slo Poke - am I warm or cold? Well... Nzjrs I hold you in high regard mainly because I’ve read most if not all of your comments with Manolis. Anyone at all that can design and construct a flying device and then have the balls to fly the thing I admire. However for the now my iPad battery is all but done but once recharged I shall get back to you. Without wanting to be offensive I find your enquiry frigid.

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