4 replies to this topic

[mp4]

Hello All,
Recently, I saw a photo of a Williams or BMW testing with wheel covers. It was not actually round and had a chunk removed.
My questions: Do these covers turn with the wheel, like the Porsche 956s of old, or are they static? If they are static, how do they not move?

Thanks

[AndrewD]

Yes i wondered this too!!

I have some thoughts about the use of these covers,

- It was stated during TV coverage that they are to increase brake cooling, however they did not elaborate. Could they be using this shroud to duct the air (reducing drag) and using the wheel centres as 'fan blades'? to help draw air and duct it towards the opening?

[V8 Fireworks]

they have to be static, as otherwise they would be part of the wheel, and carbon wheels are not allowed , so how is it achieved with a car merrily inside the maximum width even when the covers are (or are not?) flexing?

[scarbs]

The wheel covers on the front are static, although many teams run covers on the rear that revolve with the wheel. The cover is attached to the wheel nut with a bearing, it is then held static by an extension from the cover passing inside the hub to spline onto a fitting attached to The wheel covers on the front are static, although many teams run covers on the rear that revolve with the wheel. The cover is attached to the wheel nut with a bearing, it is then held static by an extension from the cover passing inside the hub to spline onto a fitting attached to the upright. Ferrari started the idea off, Toyota, Williams, Renault and McLaren have all been seen with similar covers since then.

Although these covers are termed as brake ducts by the rules, they are more important in managing the cars external aerodynamics than for the flow inside the brakes. An F1 cars spinning wheels create a unsteady wake, that creates drag and lift. The covers are being used to manage this wake to create less impact to the cars aerodynamics further down the car. The but missing from the cover is the exit for the hot air from the brakes, it is positioned there in order to picked up by the low pressure region behind the tyre. I doubt the teams are doing anything special in terms of the wheel interacting with the cover as a fan.

Scarbs

[Ben]

It basically sounds like it plays a similar role that the large endplate scrolls that used to extend inboard of the wheel and direct air into the low pressure area behind the tyre.

Ben