The same principles that loft a 618-ton Airbus into the sky also keep a Formula 1 race car glued to the track. Downforce is lift inverted, the net result of the pressure differential between the air flowing over and under a front splitter, a front or rear wing, or an entire car body. In a modern Formula 1 car, the diffuser can contribute more than 1000 pounds of downforce. The problem is that this extra stick also raises aerodynamic drag, so engineers have to balance their need for cornering grip and stability against their car’s targeted maximum velocity. What makes a diffuser a preferred aerodynamic device is its efficiency. In terms of beneficial downforce versus parasitic drag, a diffuser is vastly superior to any freestanding wing … More
Archive for the ‘Formula & Indy Cars’ Category
Formula One is the pinnacle in all of motorsports. America is the pinnacle of all the countries. Texas likes to think it’s the pinnacle of all the states (but don’t tell Matt and Patrick it isn’t.) Today brings us the Formula One United States Grand Prix straight from Texas, and you better watch it.
Last year we said that the USGP was a big deal. Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel was locked in battle with Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, and the championship was still up for grabs with only ten points between them and two races to go. This year … More
This was a highlights package of various brilliant bloopers from the entire Indy Car grid, with the video being shown at the 2013 IndyCar Championship Celebration event.
Special mention to Will Power’s epic putdown to the Hinch and Tristan Vautier’s wonderful rendition of Sweet Home Alabama. Awesome stuff.