Will the diffuser debate never end?
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From: West Henrietta UPSTATE NY
Will the diffuser debate never end?
I hope this does not become a factor again this year...
FIA to clear up diffuser controversy
Monday 15th March 2010
Several teams could be forced to use different diffusers in Australia as the FIA is finally set to issue clarification about the controversial designs.
Last year's Australian Grand Prix was dominated by the double-decker diffuser row which saw Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota famously steal a march on their rivals.
All the other teams have since adopted the design, but some have taken it a step further by adding an extra layer to the diffuser and exploiting the hole where the external engine starter fits.
Article 3.12.7 in the FIA rule book states: 'A single break in the surface is permitted solely to allow the minimum required access for the device referred to in Article 5.15. [supposed to refer to starter motor, although this is Article 5.16].'
However, the FIA is set to clear the issue up once and for all after its technical chief Charlie Whiting inspected all cars during this weekend's season opener in Bahrain.
It could mean that some teams will be forced to use different designs in Australia in two weeks' time.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh confirmed Whiting's visit, but insists there's nothing wrong with their car.
"I think Charlie came down and looked at all the cars in that area, but I am not aware that anyone had any action taken against them over it," he is quoted on Autosport. "There were some concerns expressed.
"There is a discussion between all the teams about what we are going to do. There are holes in the diffuser for the starter, the hole in ours is no bigger than the one on the Championship winning car last year. And also no bigger than it is on about four other cars.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/f1/story/0,255...6028260,00.html
Monday 15th March 2010
Several teams could be forced to use different diffusers in Australia as the FIA is finally set to issue clarification about the controversial designs.
Last year's Australian Grand Prix was dominated by the double-decker diffuser row which saw Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota famously steal a march on their rivals.
All the other teams have since adopted the design, but some have taken it a step further by adding an extra layer to the diffuser and exploiting the hole where the external engine starter fits.
Article 3.12.7 in the FIA rule book states: 'A single break in the surface is permitted solely to allow the minimum required access for the device referred to in Article 5.15. [supposed to refer to starter motor, although this is Article 5.16].'
However, the FIA is set to clear the issue up once and for all after its technical chief Charlie Whiting inspected all cars during this weekend's season opener in Bahrain.
It could mean that some teams will be forced to use different designs in Australia in two weeks' time.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh confirmed Whiting's visit, but insists there's nothing wrong with their car.
"I think Charlie came down and looked at all the cars in that area, but I am not aware that anyone had any action taken against them over it," he is quoted on Autosport. "There were some concerns expressed.
"There is a discussion between all the teams about what we are going to do. There are holes in the diffuser for the starter, the hole in ours is no bigger than the one on the Championship winning car last year. And also no bigger than it is on about four other cars.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/f1/story/0,255...6028260,00.html
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From: Albany, UPSTATE NY
^^ Well it looks like the McLaren diffuser was much ado about nothing. Ferrari clearly steered away from officially complaining, maybe with the knowledge that they have a faster car. Red Bull was livid for a while but now appear to have moved on, as they should, considering the stunning pace displayed by young Seb Vettel in the race yesterday 
oh! and Ross Brawn said that most teams may have to evolve towards a McLaren style wing for this season, but based on yesterday's race, he probably changed his mind. Looks like McLaren does not have a significant advantage over the competition.
oh! and Ross Brawn said that most teams may have to evolve towards a McLaren style wing for this season, but based on yesterday's race, he probably changed his mind. Looks like McLaren does not have a significant advantage over the competition.
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From: West Henrietta UPSTATE NY
I wonder if the FiA could actually craft a set of regulations that could not be interpreted dozens of different ways and could actually lower the cars dependency of aerodynamic grip???
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Found this article on Mclaren's diffuser, might be interesting:
Excerpt: ..... McLaren’s solution appears to combine an aerodynamic principle common in aviation with the mechanics of a flute.....
McLaren’s system is brilliant in its simplicity.
It is believed that a small air scoop in the nose of the car — you can see it just below the steering wheel in the pic below — allows air to enter a tube that runs through the cockpit and the air intake above the driver’s head to the rear wing. From there it flows to the wing and passes through small slots to the back side of the wing, where the added energy can aid the airflow like the slats on a plane. This increases downforce in the corners.
The downside of increased downforce is, of course, increased drag — in this case induced drag, a byproduct of lift.
To minimize this drag, the driver can close the vent with his knee (or elbow, no one outside of McLaren seems to know for sure), halting air flow to the rear wing. Button and Hamilton can thus control the airflow to the rear wing in much the same way flute players control the flow of air through their instruments. When the driver closes the vent, it essentially stalls the rear wing, thereby reducing drag and increasing speed on the straightaways. Some accounts put the increase at 6 mph.
Strictly speaking, there are no moving parts on the car to control the system. That, of course, has not kept several teams from complaining that McLaren’s novel approach violates the spirit of the rules if not the letter. But the FIA has deemed McLaren’s air-management system legal, and team boss Martin Whitmarsh expects other teams to adopt similar setups.
Source: http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/mclar...g#ixzz0iZJkEUYP
^has pictures
Excerpt: ..... McLaren’s solution appears to combine an aerodynamic principle common in aviation with the mechanics of a flute.....
McLaren’s system is brilliant in its simplicity.
It is believed that a small air scoop in the nose of the car — you can see it just below the steering wheel in the pic below — allows air to enter a tube that runs through the cockpit and the air intake above the driver’s head to the rear wing. From there it flows to the wing and passes through small slots to the back side of the wing, where the added energy can aid the airflow like the slats on a plane. This increases downforce in the corners.
The downside of increased downforce is, of course, increased drag — in this case induced drag, a byproduct of lift.
To minimize this drag, the driver can close the vent with his knee (or elbow, no one outside of McLaren seems to know for sure), halting air flow to the rear wing. Button and Hamilton can thus control the airflow to the rear wing in much the same way flute players control the flow of air through their instruments. When the driver closes the vent, it essentially stalls the rear wing, thereby reducing drag and increasing speed on the straightaways. Some accounts put the increase at 6 mph.
Strictly speaking, there are no moving parts on the car to control the system. That, of course, has not kept several teams from complaining that McLaren’s novel approach violates the spirit of the rules if not the letter. But the FIA has deemed McLaren’s air-management system legal, and team boss Martin Whitmarsh expects other teams to adopt similar setups.
Source: http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/mclar...g#ixzz0iZJkEUYP
^has pictures
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