Diffuser and overtaking

[Pingguest]

On Autosport.com I found an interesting quote by Sam Michael:

"It is clear in the regulations what you can do," he said. "That is what the FIA thinks, that is what the stewards think. The OWG [Overtaking Working Group] finding was that producing more diffuser downforce resulted in an increase in downwash for the following car and improved overtaking capability.

"So from that point of view, our diffuser is helping overtaking and the others are not. That study was done by Renault, Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber. So by their own studies they said we should increase diffuser downforce, and that is what we have done."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74033

I thougth it was told the OWG found out otherwise. That high downforce wings were the solution for overtaking instead of high downforce diffusers. As far as I know the 2009 diffusers only contribute for 15% of the total downforce instead of 40-45% in 2008.

[ben_watkins]

This might be better in the Aerodynamics, Chassis & Tyres thread..

viewforum.php?f=6

[vall]

that statement of Sam Michael is odd!!! I also though they found otherwise......

[kilcoo316]

that statement of Sam Michael is odd!!!

If I was in his position, I would try to muddy the waters so to speak.



No doubt the more agressive diffuser will result in more downwash locally at some point in the wake. That doesn't mean it applies globally, or helps overtaking if it is far removed from the front wing area of the following car.

[Ogami musashi]

Sam Michael either said it for PR or got it wrong.

The OWG definitely found the opposite and a diffuser tends to create upwash.

This is not the first time a team technical got it wrong on the OWG regulations, like talking about the "more mechanical grip" while Pat symonds in the latest renault F1 podcast expressely told that the theory didnt' work according to the OWG and that slicks were only there to maintain decent lap times.

[kilcoo316]

This is not the first time a team technical got it wrong on the OWG regulations, like talking about the "more mechanical grip" while Pat symonds in the latest renault F1 podcast expressely told that the theory didnt' work according to the OWG and that slicks were only there to maintain decent lap times.

One thing slicks will do is make the cars more forgiveable, which will encourage the driver behind to try something as they have a greater chance of extracting themselves from any trouble they get into.

[Agerasia]

This is not the first time a team technical got it wrong on the OWG regulations, like talking about the "more mechanical grip" while Pat symonds in the latest renault F1 podcast expressely told that the theory didnt' work according to the OWG and that slicks were only there to maintain decent lap times.

One thing slicks will do is make the cars more forgiveable, which will encourage the driver behind to try something as they have a greater chance of extracting themselves from any trouble they get into.

Exactly, who was it that got really sideways but was able to save the slide?

[alelanza]

This is not the first time a team technical got it wrong on the OWG regulations, like talking about the "more mechanical grip" while Pat symonds in the latest renault F1 podcast expressely told that the theory didnt' work according to the OWG and that slicks were only there to maintain decent lap times.

One thing slicks will do is make the cars more forgiveable, which will encourage the driver behind to try something as they have a greater chance of extracting themselves from any trouble they get into.

Exactly, who was it that got really sideways but was able to save the slide?

Massa did something like that in one of the FPs. I also noticed on one of Hamilton's overtake maneuvers that he was able to avoid a collision that I feel would have been impossible last year, i was totally expecting him to destroy the other car.

[ESPImperium]

From what i saw on Sunday, the cars witht eh diffuser were much faster on exit of the corner as they could get the power down and the grip to work earlier. Take the Kimi/Rubens incedent as a example, even the Vettel/Kubica incedent as case studys, the folowing cars were able to follow closer, i think the diffuser works better now, compaired to 08 cars.

I think that dhe diffuser is a good percentage to o with it, but not the whole thing, i feel the rear wing, cleaning up of aero gagetry and the new front wing has a equal ammount to do with it, all working in harmony for the greater good.

[Dukeage]

Bear in mind that you can get all the results you want on paper about things, but there are lots of unquantifiable things in motor racing. Grands Prix take place on tarmac, not paper. The new aero rules appear to be working, but it's best to wait a bit more to make a decision - especially when we get wet races, we could see things getting slidey.