Formula one is the paradigm of groundbreaker in technical lingo. And there is no denial. Every season, there is at least one team pioneering in a technology which not only gives it the upper hand over its rivals but also forces them to adapt to the changes. Because that’s what F1 is all about!
For instance in 2009, Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams benefitted from what was known as the controversial double deck diffuser that doubled the amount of downforce than a normal diffuser would offer.
Last year, we saw McLaren creating commotion with its pathbreaking F-duct, the aerodynamic device designed to reduce drag and increase the top speed. The design was peerless and McLaren continued to rule the roost throughout the season. Although the rest of the pack tried to create their own versions of the f-duct, they were not on par with that of McLaren’s.
F-duct - McLaren '10
Similarly this year, a lot more have been laid on the table. The eye-catching ones include McLaren MP4-26’s L-shaped sidepods, Renault R31’s uncanny exhaust exiting at the side pods and so forth. McLaren aim to achieve a greater level of downforce with the L-shaped sidepods which is expected to channel a good quality of air to the rear and following the ban of double diffusers the sidepods could complement the extra amount of downforce. Not only do the uncanny sidepods increase downforce, they also look bonzer on the styling aspect.
L-shaped sidepod - McLaren '11
Renault’s striking exhaust design which branches the exhaust towards the front end near the sidepods could increase the downforce at the rear by diverting the exhaust gases to the diffuser. The other teams are already jousting to adopt this exhaust design.
Exhaust layout - Lotus Renault '11
Not to mention Lotus T128’s split airbox design and Toro Rosso STR6’s double floor arrangement which are expected to enhance the cars’ aerodynamics.
However, in the long run such innovations are not properly welcomed as there are always rows among teams and the FIA to ban any design which tends to advantage the team(s). This is lucid as both the double deck diffuser and the F-duct are no longer legit and the teams have to resort to their own ways of overcoming the loss of aerodynamic effects.
With more rule changes on the cards, we are likely to see teams improvising the regulations and inventing new concepts but the longevity of such engineering innovations is highly in question.
1 comments:
You're right in a way that innovation appears to be not too welcome in F1, as they banned the F-duct and brought the adjustable rear wings in its place. I'm wondering if it isn't wrong to say that limiting the spending and opening up the regs will improve innovation. Maybe the teams will not be able to optimize the pieces they put on the cars but that might have a benefit of decreasing the sanitization - it was so exciting to see engines blowing in huge plumes of smoke as early as 10 seasons ago. Limited budgets and open mind is something that was there in the Chapman days and I think the technical spectacle was good too.
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