2012 FIA Formula 1 World Championship Pre-Season Thread

[gary88]

Official Mercedes and Marussia launch tomorrow.

[BudVlad]

Spy photo:



Finally revealed:

[E90SLAM]

Barcelona Day 1

[BrokenVert]

So thats a really quick potential flow model I made of the step noses. Imagine that the nose is outlined by the poorly painted black line that for some reason looks like a possessed dolphin.

Again, my MS paint skills are legendary! :P

But anyway this models the way that air moves around the body. See the very sudden dusplacement of the streamlines right at the step? And how they suddenly change thickness in several places and just generally look confused?

That is one of the mechanisms that creates drag, this change in the location and thickness of streamlines. And this model only shows one type of drag, it doesnt even account for things like surface friction or turbulence, which the step creates both.


however below you can see the smooth airflow that in effect goes under the car. This is a nice flow and as many have said this is what they were going for.

I unfortunately dont have the time to do anything better than this, but it gives an idea as to why the designers did what they did.

[gary88]

New Mercedes looks nice.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

But anyway this models the way that air moves around the body. See the very sudden dusplacement of the streamlines right at the step? And how they suddenly change thickness in several places and just generally look confused?

That is one of the mechanisms that creates drag, this change in the location and thickness of streamlines. And this model only shows one type of drag, it doesnt even account for things like surface friction or turbulence, which the step creates both.


however below you can see the smooth airflow that in effect goes under the car. This is a nice flow and as many have said this is what they were going for.

I unfortunately dont have the time to do anything better than this, but it gives an idea as to why the designers did what they did.

Graph was easy to see what you were trying to say. Thumbs up for the effort. Upon inspecting the step part of the nose a bit further, I'm just a bit more convinced that they probably managed efficient Cd. CFD experts from Lotus say higher body work in front of the car in F1 generally contributes to better downforce. Managing correct frontal pressure is possibly one of the most important aspect of a racing car. Martin from McLaren even admitted stepped nose has aerodynamic advantage.

Looking at the step nose, I don't see much of turbulence nor disadvantage of air flow. At the point of "impact", where the step occurs, it actually creates downforce due to brief higher pressure, while smooth surface in front and rear of the impact area is lower in pressure. Air molecules will not stagnate in this case, at least not severe enough to cause problems. Most stepped nose I've seen in pictures have contour design that "soaks" and streams air down into middle towards the driver/intake. A good compromise I say. Now, if the "step" was angled like brick stairs, I could see some serious problem.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that amount of extra pressure build-up that most people worry about is offset by other variables that positively effects the aerodynamics. Curious to hear different analysis.

[E90SLAM]

Barcelona Day 1 Con't

[lux.sh]

Where are the exhausts?

[EINSER M]

so stoked so stoked

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by Emory335

Anyone?

I've heard of no changes to the Safety Car lineup. It's safe to say it will be the SLS again.

[E90SLAM]

Barcelona Day 2

[gary88]

FOM 2011 season review, awesome

[E90SLAM]

FOM had finally put together something nice for race edits...throughout the season was bit rubbish...

[mike the snake]

What are the large side wings I see on a couple cars? Will these, and the tall fins on top of the scoops remain for the races?

The stepped nose, might serve to help aerodynamically. The air has to speed up at the step, and they might be taking advatage of that aspect.

On the model gliders that I fly, we are reaching insane speeds (dynamic soaring), and certain parts of the airframes are seeing airspeeds approaching supersonic, even though the planes are flying just under 500mph.

I can see the stepped nose producing a high pressure, which might produce a lower pressure area (maybe less drag) around the areas where the suspension arms meet the fuselage. Vortices (drag) are produced anytime there's a 90 degree corner, like that where the suspension arms exit the nose.

[EINSER M]

Originally Posted by gary88

FOM 2011 season review, awesome

thanx for posting great vid

[E90SLAM]

Barcelona Day 3

[BudVlad]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Where are the exhausts?

..

[007MCoupe]

WTF is that on the Ferraris? i'm pretty sure it's just for testing, but what is it? (sticking up on the top there)

[gary88]

Why the wet tires for some?

Originally Posted by 007MCoupe

WTF is that on the Ferraris? i'm pretty sure it's just for testing, but what is it? (sticking up on the top there)

It's for measuring airflow I believe.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by 007MCoupe

WTF is that on the Ferraris? i'm pretty sure it's just for testing, but what is it? (sticking up on the top there)

similar that McLaren has it too, you will normally see it during pre-season testing....its like some sort of pitot tube for measuring speed/pressure...etc etc

[E90SLAM]

Launch Analysis of 2012 cars...

http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/

[007MCoupe]

thought it might be some sort of pitot tube or something. thanks.

man, march 9 won't get here fast enough! I test for promotion that morning, then get to watch some F1 that evening!!!