F1technical.net

As we have discussed in another thread there is a limit on the number of wing adjustments per lap. drivers may adjust the wing twice. apparently it is still undecided what constitutes one adjustment. Personally I feel that they should have unlimited choice of adjustment like the breake bias. it would help efficiency if the drag is reduced on the straights. I would think that a lever would be better than a twiddly knob on the steering wheel.

During my final year project at university (which had to be suspended due to medical reasons) I was studying the applications of Shape-memory alloys as actuators as well as deformable wings. I was emphasising this into F1 as a energy saving system (reduce drag on straights, increase grip in corners) but this was before I had looked at the 2009 regulations to any substantial degree.

I wonder if these will be allowed to be used as they are light-weight, have no moving mechanical parts (i.e. reliable) and are very simple. I would be thrilled if what I had studied was applied to the cars

Oh and I made a picture of the 2009 regs (free-hand):



It's just free hand but it is based on the BMW F1.08 with 2009 regs.

I'd imagine these memory shape alloy wings to be classed as moveable aerodynamic devices, and hence not allowed under current regs. Whether they could be a method for intorducing the wing adjustments I'm not sure. I guess it's how robust they are - ie, they can only move when actuated. SMA's that I've seen are generally quite thin and respond to a current. You'd need a large current to deflet a wing that can support 10kN!

B

MEMS and MHD are thought to be autorized for 2011.

That would be really great.

I must say that the look the cars will have with the big front wing and the small rear is HORRIBLE!

Belatti wrote:I must say that the look the cars will have with the big front wing and the small rear is HORRIBLE!

I aggree with you on that one there, they look totally outa whack in realation to the balance of they way the car looks.

However, if the front wing was made smaller as well, maybes another 10cm off each side having even less front downforce may make the drivers think a little more with braking distances maybes becoming longer, and the fortune favouring the brave being a good idea.

Another thing id like to see is the engine revs being able to be "unrestricted" (up to 21,000 RPM) for say one single 10 second burst every lap, meaning that would be a good overtaking device as well.

I'm not really worried about rear wing width. We'll quickly get used to it. On the other hand, front wing span does seem huge. Reducing it 10~15cm would make it look better. One thing I'd done with front wing regulations is mandating a minimum surface. No, not 5m², don't worry . Anyway, I'd bet a beer that front wings will not be as simple as that. I'd dare say that w front wings (like MP4-18 and FW-26) will be back.

Finally, the ugliest aero stuff in today's cars is, IMHO, the shark fin and the "station-wagon" engine covers. Since a minimum "drop" was defined in 2004, engine covers have lost all personality and current "station-wagon" designs are just plain ugly.

Miguel wrote:I'm not really worried about rear wing width. We'll quickly get used to it. ....

=D> if it gives us close racing on track I will love it

Yes, I actually like the look of the rear wing. On current cars, the rear wing looks too big in my opinion. It makes the cars look like a barge that should never be aerodynamic. To be honest on the whole I actually like the look of the entire car.

On to the engine cover mention:

YES! This was my biggest grievance for the cars. For instance:


Hideous!


Spoils a beautiful car


Ferrari F2002 -- gorgeous!

I actually think the 2002 cars look the best but alas, things change

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Belatti wrote:I must say that the look the cars will have with the big front wing and the small rear is HORRIBLE!

Where did you actually see any of the 2009 cars???

Maybe it's because I'm younger, but whilst I can see the sleek look of the 641, those sidepods are horrible! All boxy, eurgh.

I think a combination of the F2002's sidepods (although maybe with a bit more undercut - is this likely with the bargeboards being removed?), the wide front wing and a smaller rear wing could look good. As for the engine covers - I like the slight sail, but I see it as a bit in antithesis of the racing ethos. It's only justification is as an advertising hoarding - not cool.

B

Again...WHERE did you see any of the 2009 cars???

Ogami musashi wrote:Again...WHERE did you see any of the 2009 cars???

I think they might be referring to the two mock-ups I've made. Remember people, they are just sticking to the regulations for dimensions, not what those crazy engineers will come up with!