F1 Aerodynamics question

[Champ69]

Do red cars go faster, and if so why aren't all F1 cars red. Is it a matter of sponsorship.

[slicktoast]

It depends on which year it is.

[Jukebox]

The macs gets more sponsorship money and have more resources to their disposal. It's a matter of passion and commitment from all Ferrari's staff that makes them so dominant.

[Adam43]

Jukebox, is that actually true? I think Ferrari have got more resources. There is the question of the how much difference the Mercedes engine makes to the overall equation, but, I'm pretty sure, McClaren have less resources and staff than Ferrari.

This in no way detracts from Ferrari's achievements.

[Jukebox]

I'll get back to you on this when i'm back at the office Adam...i'm sure i have the infos stached somewhere at the office.

[Adam43]

I remember something in F1 racing magazine which put Ferrari way ahead in the budget stakes, but I certainly wouldn't trust this too much! To be fair, I think it is quite difficult to find definite values for all these. A certain guess work must surround any list.

However, I would be interested...

[strad]

Cd = D / (A * .5 * r * V^2).....if red...minus.02..if Ferrari red minus .04

[OVERSTEER]

Well Ferrari may have more resources, but they've got to use that to develop an Engine and Chassis, whilst the likes of Mclaren only have to concern themselves with Chassis development alone. Toyota are in the same position as Ferrari also.

[Valve Bounce]

Actually, with the introduction of computerised management of just about all running parts of F1 cars, there is now little distinction between chassis and engine development. I suppose the only function not related to computerised car management is wind tunnel work, but I am sure that the technical members here will think of something to link that up too.

[Damon]

Originally posted by OVERSTEER
Well Ferrari may have more resources, but they've got to use that to develop an Engine and Chassis, whilst the likes of Mclaren only have to concern themselves with Chassis development alone.

If you have the neccesary resources I think its been proven that developing your entire package in house has great advantages. It's difficult for teams like Williams and Mclaren to produce 'revolutionary gearboxes' like Ferrari have this year when areas such as this are controlled and produced else where.

[freud]

Originally posted by Jukebox
The macs gets more sponsorship money and have more resources to their disposal. It's a matter of passion and commitment from all Ferrari's staff that makes them so dominant.

So what happened to the 'passion' & 'commitment' during the early - mid 90s, or the mid 80s, or the early 70s??? Is it passion/commitment or '$$$'??

[senna12]

I think it is generally agreed that it is Toyota that has the most resources, in terms of money, anyway. Do they not have 20 billion U.S. dollars in their bank account?
But I am pretty sure that they do not yet have the facilities, especially for testing, that Ferrari do. Their test program is unrivalled, I think only Williams comes anywhere close. I suppose that is why they are currently second.

[kmchow]

I thought I read that the Ferrari R&D test centre opens 24hours/day, 365days/yr? Someone is always working on the design? Are they any truths to that claim??

My brother feels that claim may be true during the racing season, but not financially viable during the offseason?

OTOH, if that claim is true, I guess that can explain a lot as to Ferraris's competitiveness?

[Mr V]

Originally posted by kmchow
My brother feels that claim may be true during the racing season, but not financially viable during the offseason?

I'd say that it's more than viable in the off season, especially if Ferrari want a good start to the following season.

[Damon]

Interesting to see how they fit 365 days into an 8 month season .

Seriously though, having a private test track has got to be Ferrari's biggest single advantage. They can bulid a new part and test it behind closed doors with none of the other teams seeing it until it comes round to lap them on race day. It gives Ferrari the oppotunity to stay 1 step ahead of the rest.

[Nicholas]

Williams had a red car in 98 and 99 and those years were among the worst in recent times. So red probably does not contribute to the performance of the car. Unless of course it's all about the different shade of red. This reminds me of Renault's refusal to give details of their shade of colour which was mentioned in a recent thread. Maybe there is some truth in there after all...

[Damon]

Jaguar came up with some bull after pre-season testing 2000 that they couldn't use british racing green because the colour was "too heavy"!!

[RWC]

Yeah,british racing green looked kinda 'dead' on tv.F1 mag had an article on an early test sesion when they first changed over to jag.The car had proper BRG and one could see even in the magazine pics that it wouldn't work.Pity.I suppose everyone has heard that even the ferraris had their colour changed some years back to look better on tv?

[Jack racer]

We had fluro green on one of our cad and it came out yellow on film and camera:confused:

[Jack racer]

cars that is DOH!!