BAR to use modified F.T.T.

[T0MAT01]

It says at the bottom of this article that BAR are to use a modified version of their Front Torque Transfer system at Monza this weekend, which now conform to the regulations.

Does anyone know what they've done to get it passed? I guess they must have eliminated the hydraulic part at least.

[Adam43]

I guess it is a mechanical system as opposed to an electronic one? This would be more like the Benetton system used a few years back. This was quite heavy, but maybe that has been imporved on. Also maybe it is good for Monza due to the large braking that is required for the chicanes. Especially as they will run less downforce and require more mechanical input.

[Adam43]

Not a great artilce, but at least it tries to answer the obvious question of how? : http://www.homeoff1.com/news/item.aspx?id=8148

I can't beleive I missed this: http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=39621&s=5
Although again it is sketchy, mainly because BAR is being cagey about it, but the removal of it being a 'powered device' is mentioned.

[GP Racer]

The Speed broadcast team didn't think it would make much difference, or actually could make things worse, simply because of it's tubular shape. They feel that it will add drag in a part of the car, the suspension, that they all work very hard to make aerodynamically efficient.

It didn't seem to work with great effect today...

[Adam43]

The other disadvantage is the weight, some of it is relatively high up.

Still I guess BAR think it is worth it, maybe it'll appear for some tracks and not others, or maybe it is so good it is worth it.

It is hard to judge from BARs pace today, maybe without it (I assume they are having it for Q and the race), they would have been even further back.

[T0MAT01]

Yeah, we'll find out tomorrow how heavy the BARs are running, which will give a clearer picture of lap times.

BTW thanks for the links Adam.

[Kicking-back]

If it would make things worse, I doubt BAR would have it on the car!

[Dutton]

You would think so, KB.

[avsfan733]

Supposedly the idea was reinvestigated after a change in thinking among teams this year that has led to more and more weigth being shifted forward in the movement of ballast maybe it just ends up putting weigth near where ballast would be anyways

[Kicking-back]

McLaren are asking the FIA for a full explanation as to how the system is legal - they believe it isn't.

As a team who've had several of their own innovations blocked over the years, I can fully understand their enquiry.

However, Ron says he would not protest the results in the event of BAR scoring points.

[T0MAT01]

I don't think it's given BAR a huge advantage anyway, its not as if they were topping the timesheets in any practise sessions etc.
I expect the main benefit to be helping with the wear on the front tyres (since lock-ups should be less frequent) which should be a big bonus during the race.