Since its inception in 1950, Formula 1 cars have been steadily increasing in speed. Advances in aerodynamics, engine power, and lightweight materials have pushed track times to new lows. However, in 2007, this trend suddenly changed. The cars not only stopped getting faster, but they actually became slower. So what happened, and what has the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) done in 2017 to revive the championship?
Contents
A Shift in Focus
In the past decade, the F1 championship has seen a significant shift in focus. The soaring costs of competing forced the FIA to implement rules to level the playing field and prevent teams with larger budgets from dominating the competition. The 2007 engine development freeze and subsequent cost-saving measures, driven by the 2008 world economic crisis, led to the withdrawal of teams like Honda, BMW, and Toyota from the championship.
Newer rules have brought tire saving and fuel efficiency to the forefront of design, forcing drivers to be more conservative on the tracks and lowering track times. However, these changes, combined with other factors, have contributed to a decline in the popularity of Formula 1. To address this issue, the FIA has introduced rule changes in 2017 aimed at making the sport faster and more captivating, in an effort to halt its declining popularity.
Changes to Increase Performance
One of the most noticeable changes in this year’s Formula 1 cars is the increase in overall width, from 1800 mm to 2000 mm. A significant portion of this additional width is allocated to accommodate wider tires. The wider tires provide a larger contact area with the ground, resulting in increased traction.
While wider tires do not directly affect friction, they do impact tire wear. A narrower tire loses grip material more quickly than a wider tire. To counteract this, the tire needs to be made of a harder material that will not wear as rapidly. F1 teams have a variety of dry weather materials to choose from during races, ranging from ultrasoft to hard compounds. The wider tires have allowed for the use of softer, high-grip tires that last longer, enabling drivers to brake later and accelerate harder.
Aerodynamics and Airflow
The wider tires also necessitated changes to other aspects of the car design, including the front wing. The primary purpose of the front wing is not to generate downforce, but to manipulate incoming air to flow around the tires. Wider tires generate more drag and turbulent air, which would disrupt the aerodynamic surfaces downstream of the tire. The front wing is designed to direct the airflow around the tire, maintaining optimal aerodynamics.
An example of effective airflow management is the Y250 vortex, which is formed by downforce generated by the front wing. The vortex redirects the airflow away from the tires and towards areas where it is needed. This careful manipulation of the air helps improve overall performance.
Engineering Simulations and Performance
Engineering simulations provide valuable insights into the differences between the 2016 and 2017 cars. These simulations display air pressure along the car, indicating low pressure areas (blue and green) and high-pressure areas (yellow and red).
The simulations reveal that the larger front wings in 2017 generate a bigger Y250 vortex, resulting in lower air pressure, as the vortex consumes the surrounding air. As a result, there is less air flow under the car, causing the air pressure to drop further. The wider floor structure and additional low-pressure vortices formed by the bargeboard contribute to the 2017 car’s ability to generate more downforce.
The diffuser, located at the back of the car, has also increased in height and width. As the exit nozzle for the air underneath the car, the larger diffuser forces the air to expand and accelerate, causing a further drop in air pressure. The diffuser provides significant downforce with minimal drag. In contrast, the rear wing, placed lower in 2017, reduces drag as it operates in the air affected by the structures upstream.
Conclusion
As we reach the midpoint of the 2017 season, the effects of these changes on Formula 1 are evident. The wider wheels and superior aerodynamics have allowed cars to break records and resulted in some of the best-looking cars in recent memory. However, the increased speed in corners has come at the cost of overtaking action. The wider cars generate more turbulent air, making it difficult for following cars to maintain sufficient downforce in corners.
Whether these changes have made Formula 1 more exciting to watch is subjective and up to individual viewers to decide. Nevertheless, there is no denying the impact of these modifications on the cars’ performance.
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FAQs
Q: What are the primary rule changes that have made Formula 1 faster in 2017?
A: The primary rule changes include wider cars, wider tires, and modifications to aerodynamic components like the front wing and diffuser.
Q: How have the wider tires contributed to increased performance?
A: Wider tires provide a larger contact area with the ground, resulting in increased traction. This allows for the use of softer, high-grip tires without sacrificing durability.
Q: How do the aerodynamic changes affect the car’s performance?
A: The changes to the front wing and other aerodynamic components help manipulate airflow, reducing drag and increasing downforce. This improvement in aerodynamics enhances the car’s overall performance.
Q: Has Formula 1 become more exciting to watch after the rule changes?
A: The rule changes have resulted in faster cars and improved performance. However, the wider cars generate more turbulent air, making it challenging for following cars to maintain sufficient downforce during overtaking maneuvers.
Conclusion
The 2017 season has witnessed Formula 1 cars reaching new levels of speed and performance. The wider cars, wider tires, and advanced aerodynamics have made the sport more thrilling. However, these changes have also posed challenges, particularly in terms of overtaking. Formula 1 continues to evolve, aiming to strike a balance between speed and exciting racing. To stay up to date with the latest developments, visit the Techal website.
