sutton-images.com Crisis meeting on the overtaking problem
07.04.2018
N after the GP Australia with only 5 Overtaking maneuvers have raised the alarm from Liberty and the FIA. They called for urgent changes to the cars to alleviate the problems of driving behind. Completely abolished would only be possible with a completely different vehicle concept. For example ground effect cars like between 1978 and 1982.
In Bahrain a meeting of the technical bosses was arranged at short notice. On Saturday at 10 a.m., the technical directors of the ten teams met in the paddock. Two items were on the agenda: the rear wing and the front wing. There was discussion about increasing the flap of the rear wing and thus giving the wing more depth. That would mean that the maximum height of currently 80 centimeters increases, but the minimum height remains.
If the flap is more strongly adjusted, the gap to the main wing when the flap is flattened would also increase. That would increase the DRS effect. At the moment the speed increase is around 20 km /h. You want to increase it to at least 25 km /h. Another suggestion was to allow DRS everywhere on the track.
There was also discussion about simplifying the front wing so that it no longer reacts so extremely to turbulent air. One suggestion was to restrict the wing to one level and completely forbid the cascades.
All rule changes rejected
ams
The front wings remain as complicated as in the current season.
But in the end it was not possible to agree on any rule changes. With the exception of Williams, the chiefs of technology rejected all proposals. 2019 comes too early, they say. And if new cars arrive in 2021 anyway, 2020 doesn't make sense either. Because then you would have to develop wings for one season.
The chiefs of technology sat down with FIA race director Charlie Whiting on Thursday morning to warm up and approved various rule changes for 2019. From next year there will be a uniform driver weight. 80 kilograms with seat. Whoever lies below must add ballast accordingly. This 80 kilogram package then counts towards the total weight, which should remain at 733 kilograms.
The rear wing end plates must no longer have any slots in the upper area. The height of the guide plates between the front wheels and the side pods is cut by 15 centimeters. For this, the flow straighteners can start 10 centimeters further ahead. So that there is more visible space for sponsors on the side of the chassis.
Nose fastenings reinforced
The airbox fin remains as it is. A return to the sail of the last few years found no approval. The stress tests for the attachment points of the noses are tightened. The FIA had criticized the fact that both Ferraris lost their noses so easily in the start-up crash in Singapore.
The height of the exhaust pipes is reduced. In addition, the pipes must no longer be angled upwards. The FIA wants to prevent the teams from using the exhaust gases to inflate the rear wing for more downforce.
The team's suggestion to make the halo look more beautiful was rejected by the FIA. The association wants to leave the halo as it is for the time being.
