26 replies to this topic

[djned]

when the cars were on the grid i noticed both ferraris had holes drilled in that little 'windshield' - does anyone know when ferrari introduced this, and what advantage drilling holes in the shield would have?

if you haven't seen it here is a picture: http://a324.g.akamai...m/diapo_342.jpg

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

The first time those holes appeared where Malaysia 2001, and they are present during hot and humid races (France and today).

[djned]

i thought that might have something to do with it.

incidentally, speaking of which, weren't those elite exorbitant mclaren self-cooling pit team spacesuits supposed to be made for hot races like this one?

[Foxbat]

They look pretty cool imho, but the real reason is AFAIK to allow some airflow in the cockpit. Normally the 'windscreen' deflects the airflow over the cockpit and the air in the cockpit is standing still and gradually heats up, this way at least some of the static air gets moved around and replaced by cooler air.

[Foxbat]

Originally posted by djned
i thought that might have something to do with it.

incidentally, speaking of which, weren't those elite exorbitant mclaren self-cooling pit team spacesuits supposed to be made for hot races like this one?

No, the suits don't actually do anything they are intended to distract people from the team's on-track performance

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

Originally posted by Foxbat


No, the suits don't actually do anything they are intended to distract people from the team's on-track performance

Children books.
Expensive motorhome.
Moronic-looking suits.
What's next? Newey-designed high pressure utra-rapid coffee makers?

[Mrv]

Originally posted by djned
i thought that might have something to do with it.

incidentally, speaking of which, weren't those elite exorbitant mclaren self-cooling pit team spacesuits supposed to be made for hot races like this one?

Those suits are another Mclaren failure. They froze at Silverstone by the way, and completely screwed up the team.

[pRy]

Anyone notice Schumacher had his suit open at the top, the flap was pulled pretty much across his body so you could see his white fire suit.

[tifoso]

Originally posted by pRy
Anyone notice Schumacher had his suit open at the top, the flap was pulled pretty much across his body so you could see his white fire suit.

I think he probably did that on his victory lap. Just a guess on my part, though.

[Wolf]

Saving weight...

[Julius]

These hole are sometimes call "speed holes". See, when you add holes to a car, then the air can flow by easier and the car has less drag - thus, the car is faster.

[Foxbat]

Originally posted by Julius
These hole are sometimes call "speed holes". See, when you add holes to a car, then the air can flow by easier and the car has less drag - thus, the car is faster.

Perhaps, but it seems that those holes let the air blow right on to the driver's helmet so drag efficiency wouldn't be that much better.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I think its just to get a little breeze in the cockpit without giving them the full buffeting. At 60 mph in a Formula Ford (which isnt nearly as hot as an F1 car) the breeze is enough to keep you from feeling damp and sticky from the sweat. So at 200mph in a GP machine I imagine its pretty nice. Or at least better than no air

[Mellon]

Originally posted by Foxbat
No, the suits don't actually do anything they are intended to distract people from the team's on-track performance

All the more reason to use them, don't you think?

[Foxbat]

Originally posted by Mellon
All the more reason to use them, don't you think?

After Silverstone it was decided that anything that might draw attention to McLaren's pitstop strategy. or pitcrew work was to be avoided. Currently a heated debate is going on about the strategy for the next race, top contenders are (in no particular order) : New Girlfriend for DC, Kimi get's a new haircut, an even bigger motorhome, Ron Dennis to wear a toupet

[Mellon]

Rumours are that McLaren are to adopt a strategy to eliminate all pitstop screwups. The factory is working full steam on a car with a tank large enough to last the entire race. Negotiations with Michelin for an extra hard tire are in progress.

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Mrv


Those suits are another Mclaren failure. They froze at Silverstone by the way, and completely screwed up the team.

Bollocks - they didn't use them at Silverstone in the race.

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Mrv


Those suits are another Mclaren failure. They froze at Silverstone by the way, and completely screwed up the team.

Bollocks - they didn't use them at Silverstone in the race. It was bloody cold if you can't remember.

[djned]

/me thinks Mrv might have been joking - mclaren's pit work at silverstone was rather average, remember!

so when are the suits going to be used then, why haven't they been used yet?

[MinardiRules]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1


Bollocks - they didn't use them at Silverstone in the race. It was bloody cold if you can't remember.

Hook, line and sinker...

[BRG]

It was Ferrari's turn to look silly in the pits at Hockenheim - so they brought in their cleaning ladies with vacuum cleaners.

This is all part of Bernie's plan to brighten up F1 and increase viewing figures. At the next race, the Williams pit-crew will be replaced by the Chippendales, and later in the season, the Sauber pit-crew will all wear dirndl dresses and have cow-bells around their necks. In a special cultural nod to the Japanese, at Suzuka the Toyota crew will wear flame-proof kimonos and do their wheel changes with chop-sticks.

[Foxbat]

Originally posted by BRG
[..]In a special cultural nod to the Japanese, at Suzuka the Toyota crew will wear flame-proof kimonos and do their wheel changes with chop-sticks.

Can't wait to see that!

[aportinga]

Clearly according to Homer Simpson they are speedholes!

[garbo]

Originally posted by aportinga
Clearly according to Homer Simpson they are speedholes!

On the Grapevine it is noted that they were there so he could get a better look at HIS llustrious crowd!

[aportinga]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh I got it now.

[Scudetto]

Originally posted by BRG
It was Ferrari's turn to look silly in the pits at Hockenheim - so they brought in their cleaning ladies with vacuum cleaners.

That was silly. A lady with a vacuum cleaner should be in a French maid's outfit, not Nomex.

[FlatFoot]

"glory holes"