Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota’s diffusers have been given the all-clear by the stewards in Melbourne. But Ferrari, BMW, Renault and Red Bull are intending to protest the decision. This means a Court of Appeal hearing into the legality of the parts will have to be held, most likely in the week after the Malaysian … Continue reading Diffuser row set to drag on
F1 Technology articles archive
F1 technology
Heikki Kovalainen on slicks in F1 (Video)
Posted onIn these two videos McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen and Bridgestone’s Hirohide Hamashima explain what impact the new slick tyres will have on F1 racing this year: Read more F1 2009 technology: front wing F1 2009 technology: Mid-region F1 2009 Technology: Rear wings, diffusers – and the inevitable controversy
F1 2009 Technology: Rear wings, diffusers – and the inevitable controversy
Posted onAs we head into the first race of 2009 a row is brewing over the diffusers used by Toyota, Williams and Brawn GP. F1 Fanatic guest writer John Beamer takes a look at the diffuser row and offers his thoughts on what’s gone wrong at McLaren. Hands up who finds that rear wing attractive? Uh… … Continue reading F1 2009 Technology: Rear wings, diffusers – and the inevitable controversy
F1 2009: New rules at a glance
Posted onThe 2009 season sees the introduction of the most radical new rules to hit F1 in a generation. Here’s a quick guide to the major changes in the sporting and technical rules, including some potentially significant tweaks which haven’t had much attention.
F1 2009 technology: Mid-region
Posted onF1 Fanatic guest writer John Beamer continues his technical analysis of the 2009 F1 cars with a look at the mid-section of this year’s designs. When comparing a 2008 and 2009 F1 car the wider front wing and squashed rear wing are the most dramatic changes. Look closely again and one can see equally striking … Continue reading F1 2009 technology: Mid-region
F1 2009 technology: front wing
Posted onF1 Fanatic guest writer John Beamer looks at the technology of the 2009 F1 cars, starting with those eye-catching front wings. Contrary to what many feared a few months ago, 2009 will be a bonanza for F1 technical aficionados. The lower (and flatter)?é?áfront wing, higher nose and deletion of various aerodynamic paraphernalia circling the chassis … Continue reading F1 2009 technology: front wing
Jarno Trulli explains the TF109 (Video)
Posted onJarno Trulli explains how the 2009 technical regulations shaped the design of the TF109 in this video from Toyota.
Will slicks put brakes under more stress?
Posted onOne aspect of the 2009 rules I’m trying to get my ahead is how the return to slick tyres and the introduction of KERS might affect brakes. If my shaky grasp if F1 technology is right, I reckon brakes will have a seriously hard time in 2009. Check my working below.
Should KERS be put back to 2010? (Poll)
Posted onBMW is under pressure to abandon its opposition to a delay on the introduction of Kinetic Energy Reduction Systems (KERS). Luca di Montezemolo, Flavio Briatore and John Howett representing Ferrari, Renault and Toyota have all spoken in favour of postponing the introduction of KERS until 2010.
2009 F1 car comparisons: BMW
Posted onBMW’s F1.09 is the last new F1 car we’ll see this month. Here’s a look at the car BMW hope to challenge for the championships with up alongside the other 2009 models.
2009 F1 car comparisons: Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Williams and Toyota
Posted onHalf of the 2009 F1 grid has now been launched providing us with some insight into the different design directions taken by likely front-runners of 2009. Here’s how the freshly-launched Renault R29 and Williams FW31 compare to the Ferrari, McLaren and Toyota that appeared last week.
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 3/3)
Posted onF1 Fanatic guest writer John Beamer concludes his review of changes in the 2009 F1 rules designed to allow cars to follow each other more closely and encourage overtaking.
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 2/3)
Posted onGuest writer John Beamer continues his look at how the F1 rules have been changed for 2009 in a bid to encourage closer racing and more overtaking.
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 1/3)
Posted onOver the last three years the rules that govern F1 have remained remarkably stable. In recent times the slowest car on the track (usually a Force India) has often been within 1.5s of the fastest. Ten years ago such a slim margin was unheard of. However, that will all change as the FIA has overhauled … Continue reading How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 1/3)
Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109 side by side – pictures (2009 F1 cars)
Posted onThe first two F1 cars of 2009 have been officially unveiled – so now we can get a close-up look at the pair of them and see where the designers have gone in different directions. Here’s a look at the Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109 side by side.
Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
Posted onThe first fault line has opened in what so far has been the impressively solid unity of the Formula 1 Teams’ Association. Speaking at Ferrari’s annual press skiing event, Stefano Domenicali complained that BMW had vetoed the efforts of the other teams to postpone the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) for 2009 due … Continue reading Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
The state of Formula 1 in 2008
Posted onThe 2008 Formula 1 season ended on a high on the track – but the shock withdrawal of Honda was a sting in the tail. With 2009 almost upon us it’s time to take stock of F1’s position as one season ends and a new year begins: the quality of the competition, the future of … Continue reading The state of Formula 1 in 2008
The cost-cutting plans: development
Posted onPerhaps the most significant aspect of the cost-cutting plan for F1 approved by the World Motor Sports Council today is the restrictions on development. Not only are dramatic changes planned for 2009, but even tighter controls are envisioned for the future to keep costs down. Is it enough to prevent more teams leaving Formula 1? … Continue reading The cost-cutting plans: development
The future of F1 aerodynamics part 1
Posted onGuest writer John Beamer from F1-Pitlane begins a two-part feature on discussion about the future of F1 aerodynamics technology at the World Motorsport Symposium. In the first part he looks at how the radically re-shaped wings on the 2009 F1 cars and their moveable sections will transform racing.
John Beamer’s tech review: Interlagos
Posted onGuest writer John Beamer of F1 Pitlane takes a final look at technical changes on the cars of 2008. The denouement of the Formula 1 season was certainly spectacular. As a story, the emotional roller-coaster and intense human drama of Interlagos easily eclipsed the technical innovation.