F1 Bahrain GP 2010

[The Wizard]

I truly cannot wait for this one, I'm not even going to bother with trying to predict the first race, going to be a weekend that reveals a lot about the season. The Ferrari's look to have great initial pace, but I wonder whether they revealed all their cards whilst other teams may be keeping them close to their chests?

The weekend schedule is as follows

Bahrain Grand Prix
Sakhir, 12-14 March, 2010

Friday 12 Mar: Practice 1 0700-0830; Practice 2 1100-1230

Sat 13 Mar: Practice 3 0800-0900; Qualifying 1100

Sun 14 Mar: Race 1200

 

[Driver8]

Are they in HD this season I wonder?

 

[The Wizard]

Are they in HD this season I wonder?

Not that I know of mate.

 

[strings]

Are they in HD this season I wonder?

Nope. The BBC wanted the feed in HD, but FOM at the moment are unwilling to supply the world feed in HD.

 

[Driver8]

Nope. The BBC wanted the feed in HD, but FOM at the moment are unwilling to supply the world feed in HD.

That's a shame.

 

[strings]

McLaren's rear wing, the legality of which had been questioned by Ferrari and Red Bull, has passed scrutineering. Expect other teams to follow with similar designs.

 

[The Wizard]

McLaren's rear wing, the legality of which had been questioned by Ferrari and Red Bull, has passed scrutineering. Expect other teams to follow with similar designs.

That might give McLaren an advantage this weekend then?

 

[strings]

Only a very slight advantage.

For those that don't know, basically Mclaren took some air from the airbox (above the driver's head) and channelled it through the shark fin to the rear wing. The air is released accross the width of the reverse of the rear wing, giving increased downforce.

Shark fin:

Full technical explaination here

 

[JJ McClure]

up to 6mph advantage on the straights is what I read. Could be useful.

 

[strings]

up to 6mph advantage on the straights is what I read. Could be useful.

Very useful, especially on circuits like Indy (not that we visit there anymore) with tight windy bits followed by long straights. They can have their wings at a shallower angle (good for the straights), whilst still gaining enough downforce for the corners. Clever.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Crikey, even I'm going to give this season my full attention and I used to hate F1.

 

[The Wizard]

Rosberg and the McLarens seem fast

 

[JJ McClure]

Still pretty tough to try and get an accurate read on who's fast. Sutil topped first practice but was running on fumes, the mercedes were slow in first practice but now doing well. All we know for sure is that the new teams might as well be walking round.

 

[Normal Rob]

Only a very slight advantage.

For those that don't know, basically Mclaren took some air from the airbox (above the driver's head) and channelled it through the shark fin to the rear wing. The air is released accross the width of the reverse of the rear wing, giving increased downforce.

Shark fin:

Full technical explaination here

I saw several cars this morning with similar looking things - what's different about the Maclaren?

 

[strings]

I saw several cars this morning with similar looking things - what's different about the Maclaren?

All the others are just pieces of metal joining the engine cover to the rear wing. McLaren's takes some of the air from the airbox, through the shark fin and distributes it through a slot on the rear wing, tidying up the airflow around the rear wing and increasing downforce. Ferrari and Red Bull are adament that it contravenes the aero regulations, but the FIA have certified it legal.

 

[Northstander]

Rumours now flying around the paddock that there is a moving part controlled by Hamilton's & Buttons legs from inside the cockpit, meaning a movable part of the car that increases performance (which is both banned and illegal)

A team is going to raise this after the race

 

[The Wizard]

Rumours now flying around the paddock that there is a moving part controlled by Hamilton's & Buttons legs from inside the cockpit, meaning a movable part of the car that increases performance (which is both banned and illegal)

A team is going to raise this after the race

That isn't a rumour, its fact, the FIA passed it as fair so therefore there is nothing that the teams can do. Other of coruse than stewing in the fact they didn't think of the idea and copying the McLarens...

 

[Dr Q]

Rumours now flying around the paddock that there is a moving part controlled by Hamilton's & Buttons legs from inside the cockpit, meaning a movable part of the car that increases performance (which is both banned and illegal)

A team is going to raise this after the race

The only moving part is the drivers knee (the driver being exempt from the rules, ie. how would they steer, press pedels without moving), which is thought to just block a hole in a tube on the straights (when they are not using the left "braking" leg). This allows air through to the shark fin and rear wing, the extra air doing soemthing like stalling the air flow. When they move the leg to brake, the hole is open, no air flow to rear wing by this method.

Or something like that!

 

[Normal Rob]

The only moving part is the drivers knee (the driver being exempt from the rules, ie. how would they steer, press pedels without moving), which is thought to just block a hole in a tube on the straights (when they are not using the left "braking" leg). This allows air through to the shark fin and rear wing, the extra air doing soemthing like stalling the air flow. When they move the leg to brake, the hole is open, no air flow to rear wing by this method.

Or something like that!

but isn't downforce most useful on corners seems odd to me but then again i know nothing about it. Can a F1 'phile please explain. When i watch the race on Sunday i do want to have a faint scooby as to what is going on...

 

[beorhthelm]

up to 6mph advantage on the straights is what I read. Could be useful.

Very useful, especially on circuits like Indy (not that we visit there anymore) with tight windy bits followed by long straights. They can have their wings at a shallower angle (good for the straights), whilst still gaining enough downforce for the corners. Clever.

from the explaination in the link, i t seems more about increasing downforce for the cornering.

The only moving part is the drivers knee (the driver being exempt from the rules, ie. how would they steer, press pedels without moving), which is thought to just block a hole in a tube on the straights (when they are not using the left "braking" leg). This allows air through to the shark fin and rear wing, the extra air doing soemthing like stalling the air flow. When they move the leg to brake, the hole is open, no air flow to rear wing by this method.

Or something like that!

which make sence and shows how it can increase speed - though i think you've got it the wrong way round, more air increases downforce.

the simple, lay answer is air is channeled directly over the rear wing to improve its performance.