As a mechanical engineer my answer is 'yes'. In F1, going back means reducing the reliance on aerodynamics of the car. Formula 1, as is well known, started off as a no-aero-all-power concept--you can't see wings or T-flaps in the 50s and the 60s. Those were eras in which, apart from the driver skill, engine power was the dominating factor in how fast a car+driver package went. In this era, however, it's all topsy-turvy: frozen engines mean little advantage can be gained from them meaning windtunnel is the choice over engine test rigs. And the ever increasing reliance on the aero doesn't seem to encourage on-track racing either.
Shaving off those wings and shifting the emphasis to tyre+suspension+engine+driver should be great for the drivers and the spectators alike. For the mechanical engineer in me too!
But how do you get back the speed after you've lost all the aero grip?
Getting the pace back
Employ the following:
- Active suspension -
- Multi-compound tyres -
- Turbo engines -
Add to feed readers:
You might want to see this too!
Love what you see here? Or loathe? Leave a word with Sriram
Posts
2 comments:
Excuse me, but how on earth can you call yourself a mechanical engineer and not appreciate aerodynamics. Somebody slept through his fluids class...
Fluids class concepts are not applied to aerodynamics alone. They're applied to more mechanical things too. I think you forgot that.
Post a Comment