Formula 1 Essay
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Formula 1 Racing General Information Racing Strategies Chassis Aerodynamics
Construction Brakes Wheels and Tires Safety Safety Features of the Car Safety
Devices of the Drivers Powertrain Engine Technology Materials Transmission:
Technology Cockpit Instruments Switches: Displays and lights: Steering wheel and
pedals: Conclusion References Car Specifications and Performance Figures
Comparison with a passenger vehicle: APPENDICES A Technical Specification
-Williams Renault FW19 Formula 1 Racing Car B Technical Specifications -Renault
V10 RS9 Engine Summary Formula 1 racing has become the second most watched
sporting event in the world. Many of the spectators do not know realize how much
research and testing goes into a Formula 1 racing car. Many people are unaware
of how technical and computerized these cars are. These cars are made of new
space age materials and test new types of systems on the car. A Formula 1 car is
one of the safest cars in the world. The cars are constantly being used to test
out new safety features and improving the existing ones. The engines are used to
test new computer systems that control vital functions. There are many aspects
of Formula 1 that go not behind scenes. These might just be more interesting
that watching the Formula 1 cars race. The Technology Behind Formula 1 Racing
INTRODUCTION The sport of Formula 1 racing is one of the most technical and
advanced sports in the world. Formula 1 racing cars utilize new technology to
constantly improve in the areas of performance and safety. This sport is
responsible for the development of safety features that you would find today on
a commercial passenger vehicle. Formula 1 racing is an international sport that
is followed by millions throughout the world. Each year about 10 different race
teams and 20 racing cars compete for the Formula 1 World Championship and
Constructors Championship. The chassis of the current Formula 1 cars is made of
aluminum tubing and composite material of carbon-fiber and aluminum honeycomb.
It supports four wheels, the brakes, suspension and a rear mounted engine. The
chassis contains many safety features. Over the years the safety of Formula 1
cars has increased and as a result, todays cars are superior to previous models
in the 1980's. Formula 1 cars contain safety features such as a roll bar,
puncture proof fuel cell and a five point safety belt. The drivers wear fire
proof clothing to protect them in case of a fire. A Formula 1 racing car has
many onboard computers to control everything from brakes to the engine. There
are also many restrictions on minimum lengths and weights. Formula 1 racing
remains one of the most technical and computerized sports in the world. This is
a report which provides information on Formula 1 racing in general as well as
the chassis, safety features, engines and electronics in the cockpit of a
Formula 1 car. General Information on Formula 1 Racing Formula 1 racing is an
international sport with races called Grand Prixs being held throughout the
world. These are held in Canada, Japan, Australia and many of the European
countries. The drivers are also from many different countries. Formula 1 races
are held on race tracks that are called "street courses" because there
are both left and right turns. These tracks have an average length of six
kilometers and it takes a Formula 1 car about two minutes to do a lap for an
average speed of 300 km/h. Most of these tracks have long straight sections and
tight turns. A Formula car must have an open-wheel design (Fig. 1-1). This means
that the wheels cannot be covered by sheet metal. The engine is mounted behind
the driver, and it powers only the rear wheels. A Formula 1 racing team consists
of two race cars with crews and drivers for each car. These teams are
responsible for designing the chassis of the car. A separate company makes the
engines. For example, Jacques Villeniuve's team is Williams and his teammate is
Heinz-Harold Frentzen. The Renault company that supplies the engines for Team
Williams. Each year the teams compete for the Drivers World Championship and the
Constructors Championship. Usually there are about 17 races per year. In each
race the teams have an opportunity to receive points for each of the
championships. The first six positions of each race are awarded points; these
points are given to each driver and team with the winner of the race receiving
the most points. The driver with the most points at the end of the year is
declared the world champion and the team with the most points wins the
constructors championship. (Wilkinson, 1996) In order to win a race, each team
and driver develops a race strategy. One factor in a race strategy, would
determine when the driver would come in for a pit stop. During a race, the cars
will require at least two pit stops for tires and fuel. The teams must determine
how much fuel they need for the race. More fuel means more weight and therefore
will slow the car. A Formula 1 car can be refueled and receive a complete tire
change in about 7 seconds. In order to produce the fastest lap times the driver
must follow a race line. A race line is the straightest way around the track; a
driver makes a race line by "apexing" turns. Apexing is when the
driver comes into the turn on the outside of the track. When the driver enters
the turn he steers to the inside of the turn. When the driver reaches the inside
of the turn, he accelerates out of the turn and swing, wide to the outside of
the track. " Sometimes two- to three-tenths of a second per lap can make
all the difference." (Andretti, 1996) In Formula 1, drivers try to pass
each other. One way they do this is by out braking the other driver. As they
approach the turn they try to brake as late as possible. The driver who brakes
last will usually pass his competitor. However, he is risking entering the turn
at too high a speed and crashing. Another method that Formula 1 drivers use to
pass is called drafting or slip screening. This occurs when a driver follows
another driver closely and is able to build speed to pass him. This occurs
because the driver in front clears all the air out of the way for the driver
behind him. This, in turn, allows the car following to build speed because there
is reduced drag. (Newman, 1994) Figure 1-1: Jaques Villenuve in his Williams
Renault FW19 Formula 1 Racing Car The Chassis Components of a Formula 1 Racing
Car Aerodynamics The aerodynamics of a Formula 1 car is very important to its
performance and handling. Due to it extreme high speeds, the car must be very
streamlined. All the corners are rounded to get the least amount of drag. These
cars are wind tunnel tested to determine the best shape. In Formula 1 racing,
the cars have to make many turns at high speeds. In order to make a Formula 1
car corner well, it must have downforce. Downforce helps to keep the car glued
to the track and it will help prevent the car from skidding off. A Formula 1 car
produces downforce by its front and rear wings. These are similar to airplane
wings that are turned upside down so they will produce lift in the negative
direction. This keeps the car pressed on the ground. The race teams can adjust
the angles of the wings to increase or decrease downforce. The more downforce
the car has, the better the corning ability, but acceleration will decrease. In
order to do well in a Grand Prix, a race team must adjust the wings to fit the
characteristics of the track. In wet weather, the teams will run with greater
downforce. The greater downforce is necessary because the cars need more
traction. (Newman, 1994) Figure 2-1: Model of Aerodynamics Chassis Construction
The chassis of a Formula 1 car is made of many new materials. The frame is made
of aluminum tubing while the side panels are made of a composite of aluminum
honeycomb and carbon-fiber. Aluminum honeycomb is aluminum with holes in it.
Carbon-fiber is twice as light and strong as aluminum. The front nose of the car
is made of Nomex honeycomb. It is twice as light as aluminum but not as strong.
These materials are now being used in cars and mountain bicycles to save weight.
(Ferrari Racing, 1997) Figure: 2-2: Carbon-Fiber Strip Brakes Formula 1 racing
requires a great deal of braking power. Typically, a Formula 1 car will have to
use its brakes 12 times per lap or 900 times a race. On average, Formula 1 cars
have to slow down from 280 Km/h to make a turn at 160 km/h, which puts
tremendous stress on the braking system. If Formula 1 cars had brakes like a
commercial passenger vehicle, they would wear out in a lap. A Formula 1 racing
car use a four wheel disc brake system which means that each wheel has a disc
brake to help it stop. A disc brake consists of a rotor (Fig. 2-4), caliper and
brake pads. When the driver hits the brake pedal, the caliper which contains the
brake pads squeezes the rotor from either side and slows the car. The car is
slowed down because there is friction between the pads and the rotor. This
friction causes the brakes to become very hot. When disc brakes get hot, they do
not function very well. To help reduce this problem, Formula 1 teams now use
carbon brake pads. The new carbon pads wear less and work better at higher
temperatures. These carbon brakes work most effectively at temperatures of
350-500 degrees Celsius. (Fig. 2-3) To keep these brakes cool, Formula 1 cars
have brake cooling ducts that channel air over the pads and rotors. These
cooling ducts are made of carbon fiber to save weight. Formula 1 cars employ
dual circuit brakes. Dual circuit brakes allow the front and rear brakes to work
independently of each other. This system allows the driver to adjust how much
braking force goes to the front and back. The driver can adjust the brake
balance in the cockpit of the car while moving. Formula 1 racing is responsible
for improving the effectiveness and durability of the brakes that you would find
on the commercial passenger vehicle. (Williams Racing, 1997) Figure 2-3: Glowing
Hot Rotor Figure 2-4: Brake Rotor and Caliper (Ferrari Racing, 1997) Wheels and
Tires One of the most important parts of a Formula 1 car are the tires. The
tires are the only contact with the track. They are responsible for the handling
of the car. Formula 1 cars use two types of tires depending on the weather. In
dry weather, the cars use a dry weather slick (Fig. 2-6). The slick has no
treads on it and it has a smooth surface. When this tire gets hot due to the
friction of the track, it becomes sticky and that helps to grip the track. This
gives Formula 1 cars superior corning ability. The rubber of these slick tires
are rated from "A" (hard) to "D" (very soft). The harder the
tires, the less it wears but it is not as sticky. A very soft tire would be used
for qualifying because the tire only has to last for one or two laps. A dry
weather slick can be damaged by braking too hard. If the tire locks when
braking, the rubber will instantly overheat and stick to the track, causing a
"flat spot" on the tire. Such a tire will not be round, causing it to
slow the car down. For optimum performance, the tire temperature should be
around 100 degree Celsius. In wet weather the cars will use a wet weather tire.
This tire has grooves that force water out from beneath the tire so it can grip
the track better. This wet weather tire can clear up to 26 liters of water a
second. These tires do not have...
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(1995, September). The state of racing. Automobile, pp. 66-70. Mansell, N.
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encyclopedia (Vol. 1, pp. 977-980). Chicago: World Book. Young, J. (1995). Indy
Cars. Minneapolis: Capstone Press. APPENDIX A Technical Specifications: Rothmans
Williams Renault FW19 Formula 1 Racing Car Engine: Renault V10, RS9, 3 liter
normally-aspirated
Management System: Magneti Marelli Transmission: Six-speed Williams transverse
semi-automatic Chassis: Carbon Aramid epoxy composite, manufactured by Williams
Suspension: Williams. Torsion bar front, Helical coil rear with Williams-Penske
dampers Cooling System: Two Secan water radiators, two IMI oil radiators Brakes:
Carbone Industrie discs and pads operated by AP calipers Lubricants: Castrol
Fuel: Elf Wheels: Oz; 13 x 11.5 front, 13 x 13.7 rear Tires: Goodyear Eagle
radials Spark Plugs: Champion Cockpit Instrumentation: Williams digital data
display Seat Belts: Five point Williams Steering Wheel: Personal Driver's seat:
Anatomically formed in carbon/epoxy composite material Extinguisher Systems:
Williams, with Metron actuators and FW 100 extingishants Paint System: DuPont
Front Track: 1670 millimetres Rear Track: 1600 millimetres Wheelbase: 2890
millimetres Weight: 605kg Overall car length: 4150 millimetres Figure A-1:
Rothmans Williams Renault FW19 Formula 1 Car (Williams Racing, 1997) APPENDIX B
Technical specifications Renault V10 RS9 Engine Engine Type: piston driven,
normally-aspirated Horsepower: 700 Number of cylinders: 10 cylinders V-shape (71
degree angle) Displacement: 3 liters 2998.1 cc Cam Shafts: 4 gear driven Fuel
Injection: Magneti Marelli digital injection Timing: Air Timing Number of
Valves: 40 Electronic ignition: Magneti Marelli solid state Engine Length: 623mm
Engine Height: 542 mm Engine Weight: 121 Kg Engine Height to Cylinders Heads :
395 mm RPM Redline: 18,000 rpm Transmission/Gearbox: Six-speed Williams
transverse semi-automatic Limited slip Figure B-1: Renault V10 RS9 Engine Figure
B-2: Wire Outline (Renault F1, 1997)
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