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Everything Technical in F1

scarbsf1.com

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Re: Everything Technical in F1

#31

Post by josephlord »

MindTwister wrote: post #6

I sometimes have a hard time trying to fathom all the regulations imposed on the teams. Can anyone shed some light on eg. the dangers of wing design?

If the wing breaks mid corner in a high speed section the results could be spectacular as it would result in a sudden, unexpected and uneven (front/back) loss of grip.

If a front wing comes off it can wedge under the car lifting the front wheels off the ground removing most of the braking effect. Near the end of the straight this could mean 200mph towards the scenary.

Generally there are limits imposed so the cornering speeds don't get too high.

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#32

Post by jmcqk6 »

paddy_m wrote: post #22
grotos wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2014 regulations introduce even more downgraded engines. New ones will be 1.6 litre V6 turbo (now it is 2.4, V8, but not turbo), revs will be limited to 15k rpm (now 18k).

I have read that the engines will probably rev to around 12.5k in 2014. Although they will be allowed to rev higher, fuel flow rates will be regulated to a maximum of ~ 100KG/hour. Keeping the revs lower will also decrease the friction which will allow for higher output per KG of fuel. Previously they optimized for max output / CC of engine displacement. The turbo engines will also have a motor/turbine on the turbo,…

Reading this makes me wonder about the possibility of purely electric f1 vehicles, and what such a move might mean for electric cars in general.

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#33

Post by beaker52 »

Just wanted to say that this isn't just any F1 technical blog, Scarbs is -the- best technical blogger and has uncovered and written about several innovations before any other source. He's a technical sleuth, who delivers great articles.

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#34

Post by chadgeidel »

ImprovedSilence wrote: post #10

If you ever have a chance to go to an F1 race, do it. You might have a terrible view of the race, but it is the greatest sound you will ever hear. It's like the sky is getting ripped apart by a million banshees.

I have not been able to visit an F1 race, but for another wonderful sound (that you feel more than hear) a Top Fuel drag race is right up there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Fuel

Apologies for those of you living outside of the United States, I'm not sure how widespread this form of racing is.

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#35

Post by udkl »

It also be great to have such an exhaustive peek inside the workings of the drivers head !! After-all the driver is maybe the most important part of the race !

On the other hand, will there be driver-less F1 races in the future ? ... or more aptly put, WHEN will there be driver-less F1 races ?!

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#36

Post by mkuhn »

wmeredith wrote: post #14
ImprovedSilence wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If not done right, it will not make enough downforce to corner properly. The cars are designed to have no air underneath them, so as to create a vacuum to the track. If air does get underneath them, the car becomes (briefly) an airplane... edit: A lot of the regulations are also based around making the cars somewhat slower(safer), so they dis-allow massive wings so you can't fly around corners at 200per... And then e…

There are some really crazy stories around bending the rules. Or pushing human technologies to the limit to achieve the smallest advantages. Here is one of my favorites: I read a really interesting print article a few years ago about one of the big F-1 teams (McLaren?) creating the first carbon fiber transmission housing. This was a HUGE deal at the time because in F-1, the transmissions are structural component of t…

As far as I know they not only lower the center of gravity with the ballast but they also can put the weight where they want it to be and move the center of gravity to achieve a better weight distribution. So the effect on handling is more than just lowering the center of gravity but your point still stands :-)

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#37

Post by grotos »

jmcqk6 wrote: post #32
paddy_m wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have read that the engines will probably rev to around 12.5k in 2014. Although they will be allowed to rev higher, fuel flow rates will be regulated to a maximum of ~ 100KG/hour. Keeping the revs lower will also decrease the friction which will allow for higher output per KG of fuel. Previously they optimized for max output / CC of engine displacement. The turbo engines will also have a motor/turbine on the turbo,…

Reading this makes me wonder about the possibility of purely electric f1 vehicles, and what such a move might mean for electric cars in general.

There is also a plan in 2014 regulations that cars can only use electric engine when in pits. However, this can be delayed because teams are reluctant to it. Besides electric only engine is quiet so it could lead to some accidents in pit-lane.

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#38

Post by tomfakes »

junto wrote: post #25

A friend of mine was a transmission/gearbox designer for F1 cars. It was fascinating to hear about the things going on behind the scenes. Most teams have components built by a handful of specialized external engineering companies. Some things are dealt with internally, but the lower order teams don't have the budgets to deal with much of the technology in-house. Ferrari is the exception and they do almost everything…

I've seen reverse gear used on several cars this year to get a car back on track after going off. I think the FIA must be testing for this operation (otherwise the teams would find some way to work around the regulations)

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#39

Post by prdsh »

The best site for F1 technical fan. A great reference for most of updates to a car component neatly explained with illustrations and diagrams.I am Fan of F1 for some years now and what amazes me is the speed and sound of F1 and the different race strategies. Really its the pinnacle of Motorsport

Re: Everything Technical in F1

#40

Post by grecy »

Swizec wrote: post #4
brunorsini wrote: post #2

I could never get interested in F1 again after Senna's tragic death.

He was the last driver to die in an F1 crash. Unfortunately not the last person, but I think the road-side crews haven't seen a fatality in years. My interest in F1 stopped a few years ago when they downgraded the engines and made things all weird for a while. I hear it's getting back to awesome nowadays.

I was at the 2001 Melbourne Grad Prix in view of the marshal that was killed. Pieces of the car came down through the trees like it was raining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB-AcTjAgac

It was very sad, and the drivers didn't spray champagne after the race.

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