13 replies to this topic

[magicrobster]

Question for all the Engineers on here:

 

I had an idea but I’m not sure if it’ll work so I thought I’d put it out here for critique. I’ll give a bit of background first.

 

I’ve watched F1 for years and seen the evolution of front wing aero to the point where cars really struggle to follow one another. DRS kind of solves this but not in a way it seems we want to see.

 

Not saying the 80’s was a golden age, the field was usually so strung out with no pit stops that they’d struggle to fill the highlights. However the cars could really follow each other round the corners and I like everyone I think would like to see that wheel to wheel action return like GP2.

 

However I do like the development and tactics of F1 and would be sad if we just simplified the cars or made the tyres last the whole race. Personally I enjoy those parts.

 

So getting to the point, I was thinking what about a system that directly addresses the problem of cars being able to follow, I think the answer is something Bernie himself may have already solved with his Brabham Fan Car.

 

Under each F1 car is the plank, so how about a compulsory standardised system built into every f1 car that extends the titanium plank forward up to the front wing so it runs the full length of the car and making it concave underneath. Then running tubes from the underside void of the plank through the side pods and out the rear top of the car to an electric fan. Call this ADS (Assisted Downforce System).

 

When the driver closes to within 2 seconds of the car in front the driver can activate the ADS fan and it spins up to half speed. When he’s within a second of the car in front it spins at full speed sucking the car down and negating the aero loss.

 

The ADS system is calibrated to only give enough downforce to counter the loss in aero downforce, no more than that. It’s also driver operated.

 

Hopefully this despite being artificial like DRS it would actually counter the artificial aero loss and look natural to us viewers and feel natural to the driver

 

The question is, would this actually work or have I come up with a rubbish idea?

 

Rob

Edited by magicrobster, 19 December 2015 - 14:32.

[Canuck]

Downforce is a product of the pressure differential between the air above the car (or it's elements) and the air below. If you increase the differential, there will be more downforce. If you reduce the pressure under the car, you will increase downforce. Also, if you reduce the distance between two cars, they will be closer together.

[Greg Locock]

Canuck- You are an evil man. 10/10

[magicrobster]

So in theory could this work to allow cars to get closer and reduce the damage done to the chasing cars front tyres?

[Chubby_Deuce]

lol

[imaginesix]

I think Canuck's reply is that yes, increasing downforce will allow one car to follow another more closely through a corner, which is the sum of your question. It doesn't matter what technique you dream up to achieve that downforce.

I think your question is better presented in the form of an idea to equalize performance of cars in a draft, that is less 'fake' than the existing DRS method.

Your suggestion that it makes more sense to increase downforce through the corners rather than decrease it down the straights makes a lot of sense to me, as it more closely mimics the performance of a car without aero. So the artificial aero 'help' can be explained away as a corrective measure to counter the ill effects of turbulent air from the car ahead, rather than a being viewed as a 'cheat'. It would also give the performance advantage in way that's more challenging to drivers, as they wouldn't have the ability to easily pass on the straights but would have to strategize a bit more to maintain their speed through the corners to be able to make a challenge for position somewhere where they can make a pass.

Yes it would work. And yes, I think it would be better (as a replacement for DRS).

Edited by imaginesix, 20 December 2015 - 21:05.

[MatsNorway]

rubbish idea?

Yes.

Cut the weight limit drastically, loosen the grip on must have KERS. And tighten the double decker wing rules ALOT.

[saudoso]

Getting leaks from F1 Technical here?

[magicrobster]

Thank you imaginesix, I appreciate it. I might see if I can send it to someone at f1 and see what they think. it might be no use, but then again they might find something in it. Take care

[Canuck]

I think Canuck's reply is that yes, increasing downforce will allow one car to follow another more closely through a corner, which is the sum of your question. It doesn't matter what technique you dream up to achieve that downforce.

No...well...maybe, but inadvertently. Nobody should pay any attention to my contribution to this thread. That much should be obvious.

[gruntguru]

If you really are Captain Obvious, everything you say should be . . . . . obvious.

[Canuck]

Obviously

[gruntguru]

Don't start on me now! I thought my comment was witty and insightful.

[Canuck]