Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Pit Lane. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
ferrari; naughty wings
Topic Started: Mar 19 2006, 08:07 PM (309 Views)
HailCaeser
Member Avatar
Administrator
Admin
did anyone see the movement of the ferrari wings during the race

Quote:
 
Three leading Formula 1 teams could be forced to revise their rear-wings if the FIA decides to tighten regulations regarding the flexibility of aerodynamic structures on cars.

Eight of the 11 teams have signed a letter to the FIA asking for clarification over the regulations regarding the alleged use of flexi-wings in Formula 1.

ITV Sport believes that Ferrari and Red Bull's team bosses are missing from the document, which asks the governing body to clear up what is perceived to be a grey area in the regulations.

"The FIA will clarify the situation before we get to Melbourne," said Honda's team principal Nick Fry.

"That's what we need. All we asked (FIA technical delegate) Charlie Whiting is which interpretation is correct.

The teams indicated in the letter that if the FIA doesn't clarify the situation, they could lodge an official protest at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Ferrari's front wing came under scrutiny during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend after the element appeared to be moving on in-car footage.

This comes after the team's rear-wing was cleared in Bahrain when it was subjected to stringent rigidity tests by the FIA.

But while the Italian team's wings have been the subject of much speculation over the weekend, Ferrari is not the only one thought to be using a rear-wing that falls into the teams' "grey area".

"Anyone who is not an engineer can see from the TV pictures and make their own conclusions," said Fry.

"Two other teams are in the same situation, and ironically they are part of the eight.

"We had a nice conversation with Charlie Whiting this morning today and took his word that it will be fixed for Melbourne."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lord Tau
Member Avatar

Admin
There was a protest signed which would have been put into effect had Ferrari beaten them all with respect to their flexi-wings. The only teams that did not sign up were Ferrari (obviously) and Red Bull (because they use Ferrari's engines, ergo Red Bull = Ferrari's bitch - but that's another story - don't get me started!!)

But this doesn't make sense. Surely, if they are illegal wings, they should have filed a protest regardless of the results. They are either illegal or they are not. You can't file a protest because somebody beat you - that's just silly.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HailCaeser
Member Avatar
Administrator
Admin
wonder who the other 2 teams that have dodgy wings are
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Norbert
Member Avatar

Admin
HailCaeser,Mar 19 2006
08:07 PM
did anyone see the movement of the ferrari wings during the race

McLaren and Renault also have their wings under review according various sources.....

Yes, Ferrari's front wing was definitely suspect, and the rear wobbled a bit too, but look at the footage of the cars on the straight, there were more 'wobblers' than not according to my eyes....
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Norbert
Member Avatar

Admin
Lord Tau,Mar 19 2006
10:08 PM
You can't file a protest because somebody beat you - that's just silly.

You can protest whoever and whatever, whenever. Usually accompanied by a fee in US$. And people only care about what they perceive to be cheating if it affects them....
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pannywagon
Unregistered

I watched with interest the on board shots from the Ferrari and that front wing looks really naughty. It looks like there is a rubber join between the top wing and nose, a join that is supposed to flex. I personally think Ferrari designed the wing to do that, and even built in a flexible connection to ensure it happened.

Can somebody please tell me exactly what the regs say, because if a wing that is designed to move like that is illegal then Ferrari deserve a bit of BAR Honda's medicine. You note that DESIGNED is the key word. If it is an error then Ferrari should still face a penalty, but not as harsh as if they had cheated on purpose.

Quote Post Goto Top
 
HailCaeser
Member Avatar
Administrator
Admin
when it got to high speed the wing moved away from the nose of the car


also

the rear wing's top element lowerer at high speed
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HailCaeser
Member Avatar
Administrator
Admin
Pannywagon,Mar 20 2006
01:33 PM
I watched with interest the on board shots from the Ferrari and that front wing looks really naughty. It looks like there is a rubber join between the top wing and nose, a join that is supposed to flex. I personally think Ferrari designed the wing to do that, and even built in a flexible connection to ensure it happened.

Can somebody please tell me exactly what the regs say, because if a wing that is designed to move like that is illegal then Ferrari deserve a bit of BAR Honda's medicine. You note that DESIGNED  is the key word. If it is an error then Ferrari should still face a penalty, but not as harsh as if they had cheated on purpose.

look at this thread i have started


regulations

you could say the ferrari wing is a sprung part
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
timmadigan
Member Avatar
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
The SpeedTV folks were looking at it and David Hobbes and co. thinks it is a dowel holding it on, which means it could pull away under speed.
They weren't too sure if it was illegal (and they are definately NOT ferrari fanatics), but they thought that it was at least against the spirit of the rule.
And there were some disagreements over the rear wing, but definately felt Renault had no place to complain.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HailCaeser
Member Avatar
Administrator
Admin
there are actually alot of flexing and moving body parts


ie mirrors on the renault bouncing etc
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
timmadigan
Member Avatar
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
ALL parts are going to move somewhat under that speed (and pressure). The rules just imply (since they are not that clear) that the parts can't be built with springs or be spring-loaded for flexibility.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MP4/4
Apprentice
[ * ]
The other two teams are Mclaren and BMW both subject to flexible rear wings.

In Ferrari's defence the wings did pass the FIA flexibility tests they were subject to and were just pushing the limits of the rules (The basic aim of any F1 team).

As far as my understanding of the situation gos Ferrari are going to bring modified front and rear wings to Melbourne that should bring an end to the contreversy.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MP4/4
Apprentice
[ * ]
I've just read on Autosport.com that both BMW and McLaren have made the minor changes that were asked of them. Apparently niether were breaking the rules but were asked verbally to make minor changes by the FIA.

Even more interesting is that Ferrari are claiming that they won't make any changes to their wings and have denied reports that Ross Brawn had agreed to make such changes in Malaysia.

Could all kick-off in Melbourne.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lex
Member Avatar
Driver
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
HailCaeser,Mar 20 2006
01:47 PM
Pannywagon,Mar 20 2006
01:33 PM
I watched with interest the on board shots from the Ferrari and that front wing looks really naughty. It looks like there is a rubber join between the top wing and nose, a join that is supposed to flex. I personally think Ferrari designed the wing to do that, and even built in a flexible connection to ensure it happened.

Can somebody please tell me exactly what the regs say, because if a wing that is designed to move like that is illegal then Ferrari deserve a bit of BAR Honda's medicine. You note that DESIGNED  is the key word. If it is an error then Ferrari should still face a penalty, but not as harsh as if they had cheated on purpose.

look at this thread i have started


regulations

you could say the ferrari wing is a sprung part

Isn't this a similar point to the Michelin tyre debate a couple of years ago when suddenly Ferrari were coming out second best and they chose to complain about the Michelin tyres expanding too much and giving an unfair advantage?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · Archive Forum · Next Topic »
Add Reply