Comments on: 2010 F1 cars technical analysis (Part 1)

By: Chaz

Chaz — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:04:58 +0000

Very informative. I think the author should concider pencil drawings to ullustrate some of his discriptions as this will illuminate matters substantially…

By: antonyob

antonyob — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:13:19 +0000

Interesting aside from my old man who worked in the aircraft industry in the 1950′s. When they started producing supersonic aircraft they applied what was known as the “cross section area rule” to the fuselage which gave it a pronounced waist. The press dubbed it “coke bottle” and it stuck.

Also makes you wonder how much the aeronautical industry could still help F1.

Outstanding write up Beamer, clear and coherent. Bring on part 2

By: John Beamer

John Beamer — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:19:34 +0000

I think (?) we are all agreeing. My first explanation was badly worded.

By: Senor Paz

Senor Paz — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:28:44 +0000

Fantastic article, thanks so much John. Your pre-season speculations are some of the really great things about this site.

By: Alejandro Lanza

Alejandro Lanza — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:35:43 +0000

David seems we both agree on the weight bias bit. However the trolley example is a bit different from what we’re discussing. In a car, front wheels do the turning, and when they give up before the rears do, then you have understeer. However in a trolley it’s your arms in the back doing the turning, front wheels actually just follow the trolley. However you are right, but the reason is the trolley’s moment of inertia is larger when mass is further away from the rear axle/your hands. It’s the same reason people use a long pole when tightrope walking. Of course in a car is undesirable most of the times as it makes the car harder to turn in, thus the goodness of a midengine car.

By: Alejandro Lanza

Alejandro Lanza — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:16:46 +0000

John, very interesting about how the components have been reshuffled with the longer wheelbase, i wonder what the end result will be. With the longer gearbox, for the teams that have it, then the engine is further away from the rear axle, so is the gas tank (single heaviest component), and definitely the driver that’s pushed forward not only by longer gbox but also bigger fuel tank. I guess those 3 are the heaviest single components of an F1 car at race start. Now increased wheelbase, depending on how much, may mean these parts keep their relative position, or maybe not. There’s also the oil tank (s) reshuffle to consider, as I understand it not all teams have taken the same approach. So I understand in the end they may need to move weight forward, it’s just that in general terms I’ll have to agree to disagree with you in that an understeery F1 car would need a more front weight bias to cure the problem.

By: Gusto

Gusto — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:18:38 +0000

Doh just rememered its cold tires for everyone, that will increase the show an health an safety for everyone Not

By: Gusto

Gusto — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:55:22 +0000

1) Mclaren have a inner wheel Fairing

2) Expect tyre crews to be running out of the pit area while carrying red hot tyres to the exchange area ( after several hundred Risk Assesments ) as the driver brakes into the changing area ( after several hundred Risk Assesments ).

By: Paige

Paige — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:54:06 +0000

John,

There’s a couple of other major changse to the regulations that aren’t really being discussed, and which you didn’t bring up:

1) The ban on wheel covers. This is going to have a huge effect on aerodynamics and downforce.

2) The ban on wheel-rim heaters. This is going to produce a major challenge to teams to get tires into their operating temperature ranges. I think it will particularly be a major factor in the McLaren battle, as Hamilton is known for getting heat into the tires quickly while Button is known to struggle at doing this.

By: simon reid

simon reid — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:55:56 +0000

John you have wrote one of the best articals i have read on the sport. You should be on the live coverage along with David and Eddie. You are truly giving us a great insite to the cars. Keep up the good work. .