The previous part of this article features several key
themes of the 2014 Formula 1 season. Meanwhile, in this part we will see how
the abolishment of the Front-Rear Interconnected Suspensions (FRIC) system will
impact teams in terms of performance, the unsuccessful attempt to turn up F1
volumes and Pirelli’s new 18-inch concept tyres.
 |
| The cartoon figures of F1 drivers |
Ø
Measures to increase the sounds and its setback
With the move from V8 to V6 engines, the volume
produced by the engines will be significantly reduced, by around 11dB. That is
quite something.
 |
| The unsuccessful vuvuzela style exhaust bolted on to the Mercedes W05 Hybrid during a testing this year |
As a result, Mercedes have tested a vuvuzela style megaphone
exhaust (as shown in picture below) in attempt to make the quieter new cars
sound louder during the in-season testing in Barcelona, earlier of the season. However, it was not a great solution as the move did
not make the sound much louder.
Ø
Removal of FRIC
People concerned with Formula 1 would know the FRIC
suspensions have been around for many years and are not something new. To keep
it simple, FRIC are used to help generate more underbody downforce by adjusting
the car’s ride height when it is braking.
Theoretically, without the FRIC in a car will add to
its instability when the car brakes and during corner entry. If you have
something like FRIC, you can possibly lower the car’s overall ride height when
the car changes attitude. As a result, engineers are able to have a more
aggressive front wing aero-map that in turn increases the car’s overall
downforce and therefore grip.
 |
| The figure shows how the hydraulic actuators are connected in the Mercedes W05 |
However, FIA deemed the FRIC have contravened with
certain technical regulations and imposed the abolishment with immediate effect,
starting at the German Grand Prix.
The pecking orders remained more or less the same
after the removal. As we can see in the German Grand Prix, a race still won by
Mercedes, did not produce significant overall performance differences between
teams. With not much low-speed corners, the removal of FRIC did not produce
much difference.
 |
| A closer look at the complicated suspension detail |
Teams expected a smaller performance gap in Hungary, a
tight and twisty circuit which requires a lot of braking. In such conditions, the
removal of the systems will impact certain teams more than others. Again, the
overall order in the grid did not changed much in the final classifications.
Anyway, the effects of the removal remained to be seen in coming races.
Ø
New 18-inch concept tyres
F1 cars currently use 13-inch tyres, Pirelli has
suggested that running with the larger wheels and tyres would lead to greater
technology transfer between F1 tyres and road car rubber. A move away from the existing
13-inch rubber would not be without its problems, as the tyre forms an
important part of an Formula One car’s suspension and damping, hence any change
would necessitate a significant re-think of suspension geometry.
 |
| The different compounds supplied by Pirelli in Formula 1 |
However, the new tyres are believed to have stiffer sidewall
that helps maintain the tyre’s structural rigidity and make it easier for the
tyre to maintain a constant pressure. The diameter of the concept 18-inch tyres
is bigger by 30 mm but the weight is approximately the same as the 13-inch tyre
due to a smaller sidewall. It is interesting to note how great the impact of
the usage would lead to technology transfers to road car tyres in near future.
Ø
Summary
As the second
half of the season just two weeks away, be well prepared to see how the teams
fared after the summer break. A message to all Formula 1 or automotive fans, I
hope I do have enough time to make analysis on something like this or any
car-related subjects again in near future.
Although the
information in these articles came from several resources from the net, it
swallowed up plenty of time to re-think, adjusting and compiling everything
into a single simple report, and not just adapting to the ‘copy and paste’
method. Hopefully there will be more ideas exchange for us automotive
enthusiast. Excuse me for any inappropriate words used or any misinterpretion
that are deemed misleading.
Sources: http:// en.m.wikipedia.org
http:// www.skysportsf1.com
http:// www.grandprix247.com
http:// www.formula1.com
http:// www.f1zone.net
By: Vincent Ti
No comments:
Post a Comment