How can the Red Bull RB7 be legal?

[beelsebob]

swinging is naturally, but dropping below the minimum height is forbidden by the regulations. the minimum height amounts 85 mm from bottom but on lots of pics you can see, that the RB7 drops this height significantly. we would realize if it would just swing like the wings of a bird, but its moving down and back, constantly.

Where in the rules does it specify that you can't be any less than 85 mm from the track? Last I checked all measurements were taken from the reference plane, not the track.

[wesley123]

there is no minimum height, everything is measured from the reference plane, the Red Bull front wing itself is lower from the ground, they could scrape the ground with it if they wanted to

[SICK AL]

my english is still not the best. you are right, bottom is not the same as reference plane. i meant the same.

my older post from a german forum:

Front wing: max. width increased to 180mm, minimum height reduced to 85mm, middle section of 250mm design specified by FIA


It is said that as of the next event, the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps, the new test will include putting a weight of 100kg on the wing whereby the wing will only be allowed a linear deflection of up to 20mm. Currently, weights of 50kg are used and the maximum movement of the endplates is 10mm.



Even though the current wings are found legal with the current test, worries by McLaren and Mercedes GP have urged the FIA to put into effect rule 3.17.8 of the technical regulations. The article states: "In order to ensure that the requirements of Article 3.15 are respected, the FIA reserves the right to introduce further load/deflection tests on any part of the bodywork which appears to be (or is suspected of), moving whilst the car is in motion."

There are suspicions that current teams are cleverly using a combination of materials that make the wing strong enough to pass the test, but beyond that flexing easier. As such, the mention of "linear deflection" in the new test.

[beelsebob]

Sorry for a bit of a long post... but here's the rules re the front wing. As you can see, no rule about 85mm above the ground, or the reference plane.

3.7.2 Any horizontal section taken through bodywork located forward of a point lying 450mm forward of the front wheel centre line, less than 250mm from the car centre line, and between 125mm and 200mm above the reference plane, may only contain two closed symmetrical sections with a maximum total area of 5000mm2. The thickness of each section may not exceed 25mm when measured perpendicular to the car centre line. Once fully defined, the sections at 125mm above the reference plane must be projected vertically to join the profile required by 3.7.3. A radius no greater than 10mm may be used where these sections join.
3.7.3 Forward of a point lying 450mm ahead of the front wheel centre line and less than 250mm from the car centre line and less than 125mm above the reference plane, only one single section may be contained within any longitudinal vertical cross section parallel to the car centre line. Furthermore, with the exception of local changes of section where the bodywork defined in Article 3.7.2 attaches to this section, the profile, incidence and position of this section must conform to Drawing 7.
3.7.4 In the area bounded by lines between 450mm and 1000mm ahead of the front wheel centre line, 250mm and 400mm from the car centre line and between 75mm and 275mm above the reference plane, the projected area of all bodywork onto the longitudinal centre plane of the car must be no more than 20,000mm2.
3.7.5 Ahead of the front wheel centre line and between 750mm and 840mm from the car centre line there must be bodywork with a projected area of no less than 95,000mm2 in side view.
3.7.6 Ahead of the front wheel centre line and between 840mm and 900mm from the car centre line there must be bodywork with a projected area of no less than 28,000mm2 in plan view. Furthermore, when viewed from underneath, the bodywork in this area must form one continuous surface which may not be more than 100mm above the reference plane.
3.7.7 Any longitudinal vertical cross section taken through bodywork ahead of the front wheel centre line and between 840mm and 900mm from the car centre line must contain an area no greater than 15,000mm2.
3.7.8 Only a single section, with must be open, may be contained within any longitudinal vertical cross section taken parallel to the car centre line forward of a point 150mm ahead of the front wheel centre line, less than 250mm from the car centre line and more than 125mm above the reference plane.
Any cameras or camera housings approved by the FIA in addition to a single inlet aperture for the purpose of driver cooling (such aperture having a maximum projected surface area of 1500mm2 and being situated forward of the section referred to in Article 15.4.3) will be exempt from the above.

[SICK AL]

my typing error. 85mm is wrong. 75mm is the right value.

[SICK AL]

i´m most confused about the flexible nose and how it works.

but i try to read this thread next time completely

[Intego]

Only a little far fetched:

[PlatinumZealot]

ok, this is a car thread and i wanna discuss about the RB7 and its tricks and legality. in my opinion i´m in the right topic to talk about it. i don´t wanna talk about regulations at all here, so that´s why i´m in this topic.

it´s clear that some people are bored about it, but not me. so please show more respect to new users here.

the RB7 is for me the most interesting car this year and i like newey´s interpretation of the regulations and his special skills to let the fia look like a donkey association.

OK here what. The RedBull is legal. and yerp derp it is the most interesting but those topics have been beaten to death (dead bull?) and it's going to drive people crazy to talk about them all over again in this thread. There are a few threads in the aerodynamics section that address these tricks on the redbull. Pull rod, flexi wings, radiators, sidepods, rake angles, blown diffusers, Mark Webber's under maintained car etc etc.

[Steven]

Flexible front wings in 2011 viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9629

Scarbs' flexible T-tray suggestions viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10821

Another statement that 2011 cars are illegal viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9795

[donskar]

RAT HOLE ALERT:

Content of this thread:

-- "RBR7 is illegal"
-- "No, it isn't"
-- "YES it is"
-- "NO, it isn't"
-- "YES IT IS!"
-- "NO IT IS NOT!"
-- "ETC"
-- "AD NAUSEUM"

[Traction]

And of course the entire F1 fraternity has missed all the 'illegal' components the entire year....

[mnmracer]

And of course the entire F1 fraternity has missed all the 'illegal' components the entire year....

=D> =D> =D>
Something that is so heavily discussed, not only by fans but also within Formula One, for which the FIA has adjusted the test, and people still think there's a point in calling it illegal. It's just silly.

[timbo]

Something that is so heavily discussed, not only by fans but also within Formula One, for which the FIA has adjusted the test, and people still think there's a point in calling it illegal. It's just silly.

It is legal as long as it conforms to tests. If opposition gains enough momentum fIA may change test conditions again.

[tracymicgredy]

What about it is illegal?

[shelly]

What about it is illegal?

because we are cheating and they are still faster than us!