2009 F1 Aero

[TJ]

First day of testing post-season, here is the new look to get used to.......

http://images.gpupdate.net/large/115669.jpg

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/p90044522.jpg

[mc68]

awesome, very early to mid 90's...and ive missed full slicks

[kato]

Rear spoiler is exceptionally gay.

[Jazza]

Yeh spoiler looks shit but should make for more overtaking which is more exciting

[BAS]

Look better, except for that rear spoiler. This years cars looked too busy IMO.

[iluv2moan]

looking at other 09 car - looks like everyone got very diff wing designs

[Sully]

if the wings are going to stick out past the front wheels then i can see A LOT getting destroyed during races. thats just a really dumb idea.

[MMM]

that rear wing looks rediculous! its soo small and the front spolier is the opposite.

[GA70TT]

betcha the wheel guys for the teams are pleased about that design

would go well taking out ya shins

[Dim]

looks horrid i reckon.

keen to see kers in action though

[Sully]

yeah it'll be interesting to see how long it takes before kers systems filter down into mainstream cars. i a few top end cars are already running basic energy regeneration systems but obviously not with the power boost button part

[Lex2JZ]

different.. spoiler needs to be wider.
good find TJ !

[space]

+1 on awkard looking spoiler, wtf?

[duste]

I do remember seeing the unveiling on TV and they did mention why the rear wing was narrower and taller, but I just can't remember why.

The obvious reason is for increased aerodynamics. The "tear drop" shape is the most aerodynamic shape and if you think about it, a tear drop is wider at the front (hence wider front wing) and much, much smaller at the rear (hence narrower rear wing). I don't know for sure, but that could be the reason, just guessing though.

[Sully]

they've actually decreased the aerodynamics, not increased it. it's all part of the new regulations for this year. they're decreasing the cars reliability on aerodynamics for grip so that cars can follow each other closer without losing as much grip, therefore making for more overtaking opportunities. this is also the reason for going back to full slicks. aiming for more mechanical grip than aero grip.

some of the other cars look a lot better from what i've seen in the other launch pics doing the rounds now. that said, i reserve judgement for when i actually see them in motion.

[duste]

There goes my theory haha. :P

[Sully]

you're on the track with the teardrop idea but that doesn't really produce down force. it's aerodynamic, to make downforce you need to not be aerodynamic, downforce = drag. if you look at most wings that actually work to make downforce, the shape looks like one half of what you'd be left with if you cut out a teardrop from a solid square of something.

they made the rear wings narrower so that there was less surface area for the air to be pushed down onto, therefore less downforce

they made them higher so that cars could get closer to the car in front with minimal turbulence.

why they made the front wing so bloody wide is completely beyond me though. it's going to end in lots of broken front wings and possibly some massive crashes when the wing gets stuck under the car. they're also going to take longer to change in the pits because they're adjustable from the cockpit. going to need to refit cables or hydraulics or something like that.

[duste]

Agreed, but I was mainly talking about the air circulating around the car, not over the top. Regardless, I agree with you.

[DRIFT13]

I would have expected them to have a fairly firm grasp on aerodynamics at this stage of the game! I can only but imagine the sort of time they do in the wind tunnel!

[kato]

Duste, are you in first year mech eng?

[Sully]

I would have expected them to have a fairly firm grasp on aerodynamics at this stage of the game! I can only but imagine the sort of time they do in the wind tunnel!
wind tunnel time has been cut down massively now. some teams used to run them 24 hours a day, 3 shifts, making models and everything. i think it's now either 24 or 48 hours a week. so even if they do know what they're doing, they can only confirm that in the tests every now and then as opposed to now and then. also remember that they're practically starting from scratch again

[Ljubo (LJ)]

hmm at first I didn't like the look much but now I love it hehe
by the way anyone going to Mel GP??, me and my mate are going, maybe we could meet up in mel if some more people go