Front Wing Endplates

[THR]

Endplates stop the spill of low and high pressure air mixing up lessening the downforce and increasing drag.
right?

can anyone explain why F1 cars esp. have a big V cut out of the top of the plate? (when looking side on)

i guess its for aero reasons, but anyone know the science behind it?

[RWC]

It's to help ease the air around the tyres.Someone could prob give a good detailed explaination

[THR]

i thought that was the bits that were attached in the other plane. (which u cant really see if you look side on)???

[Jukebox]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by THR
Endplates stop the spill of low and high pressure air mixing up lessening the downforce and increasing drag.
right?

RWC was right about endplates helps to ease air flow around the front tyres, it also makes sure that the airflow passes above and beneath the wing not around it.

can anyone explain why F1 cars esp. have a big V cut out of the top of the plate? (when looking side on)

i guess its for aero reasons, but anyone know the science behind it?

Part of the V that looked like a straight line (top) helps ease air flow around the front tyres, whereas the bottom part of the V shape creates downforce as to stop high pressured air entering the low pressure area underneath the wing.

[Luc]

This famous V-cut is not only on the front wing, but also with some teams on the rear wing (BAR and McLaren)

This is done to activate the blow to the upper element of the wings.
You get a certain from of suction over the second element and through this V-cut you suck new air to the upper element to make it more efficient.

[Luc]

Let me explain it a bit more.
The upper element, especially of the rear wing, is positioned in the 'wake' of the lower element. Over the top of the lower element the air is rather slow while the air is accelerated over the bottom part of this element.
This rather slow air is directed to the bottom of the upper element and through this V-cut you suck in new air which is again accelerated under the upper element of the rear wing.

It is very difficult to explain without the necessary drawings but it is a rather clear if you have a bit of aerodynamical insight.

[Jukebox]

Luc where is this V shape at the rear wings that BAR and McLaren are using? If it's on the endplates, i can't seem to find it.

The two elements on rear wings theory i understand very well but to me both teams are using the same design as others.

maybe you could attach a pic of either BAR or Macs rear wing.

[Luc]

Haven't got a pic at home, I will chase one on the net.

Give me a few minutes.

[Luc]

You are right, I cannot find any pictures where they use the V-cut in the rear wing anymore.
They did last year, for sure.
I guess it was pretty controversial on the rear wing since only McLaren and BAR did so last year.
But there is some explanation on it in F1Magazine in the past.
I will try to find in which issue it was.

[Luc]

There are pretty much drawings in Bernie's F1 magazine season review 2001. Especially in the technical review on a lot of pages this V-cut (actually on the rear wing it is more curved) with BAR
Page 543 shows it clearly but of course you need to have the book at home.

[Jukebox]

The top element consists of 3 boards and it's position vary (the positions may change) for each track, while the lower one board element is rather static as it's job is to suck the air coming out from the diffuser. Those explanation on F1 Magazine last year might be focussing on a certain race track.

[Luc]

Yeah, and the cut in the sidepanel of the rear wing is to activate the airflow to the upper element.
Indeed, the three top elements can be altered by the mechanics to increase or decrease downforce. The bottom element is just an aid for a proper working of the diffuser.

[Jukebox]

I've found the pic and you were right...BAR used this settings at Suzuka and thanks for the effort luc

[THR]

ahhh yea i understand wot u mean. that makes sense completley.

think Jordan have the cut in the rear wing plate too.