15 replies to this topic

[Dan333SP]

So I was reading one of the many threads complaining about current regulations. A poster mentioned that the front and rear wings in F1 these days look absurd. That got me thinking- Regardless of the given rules of the day, designers still find a way to make something that can be both effective and beautiful in its details.

 

Look at this front wing Mercedes used earlier in the year-

 

 

To me, the layers of carbon and intricate attention to aero channeling makes this a thing of beauty.

 

Same for the tight packaging at the rear of the RB7 from 2011-

 

 

What are some of the little details on modern racing cars that you find to be artistic in their execution?

[ardbeg]

 

 

What are some of the little details on modern racing cars that you find to be artistic in their execution?

 

Art. I think a F1 car is as far away from art as you can possibly come. Beauty. Yes, there can beauty in it. On it. Around it. But no art. It is all function. 100% function. If someone attempts to add something for aesthetic reason, or to express an idea or a feeling, that person would be looking for a new job instantly.

[KOMORI]

Art. I think a F1 car is as far away from art as you can possibly come. Beauty. Yes, there can beauty in it. On it. Around it. But no art. It is all function. 100% function. If someone attempts to add something for aesthetic reason, or to express an idea or a feeling, that person would be looking for a new job instantly.

I would argue that the functionality designed into an F1's wings, and the breathtaking detail contained therein, is a form of art in itself. Every tiny detail that we, as fans, pore over in minutiae, is part of a greater form created for a singular purpose: going fast. Any aesthetics that result are, as you pointed out, secondary to the aims of the designers, yet I still believe that it's by no accident that the faster cars tend to be the prettier examples on the grid (at least in my opinion).

[V8 Fireworks]

F1 cars have very nice radiators!  Shame they are hidden... 

 

 

The headers are also a thing of beauty 

 

[V8 Fireworks]

I would argue that the functionality designed into an F1's wings, and the breathtaking detail contained therein, is a form of art in itself. Every tiny detail that we, as fans, pore over in minutiae, is part of a greater form created for a singular purpose: going fast. 

 

let's make my car, very slightly faster than your entirely very similar car.

 

Talk about a colossal waste of money! 

[KOMORI]

let's make my car, very slightly faster than your entirely very similar car.

Talk about a colossal waste of money!

This is true... But is not "a colossal waste of money" the real ethos behind motor sport in general?

[ardbeg]

yet I still believe that it's by no accident that the faster cars tend to be the prettier examples on the grid (at least in my opinion).

 

That is an interesting phenomenon. Just as the girl on stage being prettier than the one standing next to you.
But art is an expression, something that is created to stir emotions. Only thing in F1 that can aspire of being "art" is the livery, the paint scheme. 

[YoungGun]

I find it difficult distinguishing between what is art and what is science when it relates to F1. Pretty women from a near or a far are always easy to distinguish.

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

Renault R25

 

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

Renault R26

Edited by RYARLE, 30 August 2015 - 10:21.

[Imateria]

That is an interesting phenomenon. Just as the girl on stage being prettier than the one standing next to you.
But art is an expression, something that is created to stir emotions. Only thing in F1 that can aspire of being "art" is the livery, the paint scheme. 

Sorry but no, that is completely wrong. Even if you define art as solely being something that engenders an emotional response from someone then I'd argue that any F1 car being hustled around a track is art in and of itself. Poll laps can be spine tingling. More importantly, we are completely in the realm of the subjective here.

[V8 Fireworks]

R26..

 

Oh dear, how unfortunate 

[HoldenRT]

When I was young I saw some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies at the cinema.  They had the good guys, looking like normal turtles but they also had the 'bad guy' turtles who had been mutated into these ugly looking things that horns and spikes sticking out everywhere.  The cars in F1 of 2007 and 2008, cars like that Renault reminded me of those bad guy turtles.  Evil mutated versions.

[highdownforce]

When I was young I saw some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies at the cinema. They had the good guys, looking like normal turtles but they also had the 'bad guy' turtles who had been mutated into these ugly looking things that horns and spikes sticking out everywhere. The cars in F1 of 2007 and 2008, cars like that Renault reminded me of those bad guy turtles. Evil mutated versions.

https://youtu.be/el-wOVybLuQ

[Dan333SP]

 

I know I'm breaking my own "modern racing car" rules here, but I just love these. Titanium, no less.

Edited by Dan333SP, 30 August 2015 - 14:29.

[Dan333SP]