Ferrari front wheel covers

[Inigo Montoya]

Yes, this could also go in the technical forum. Mods, feel free to move it there if you wish (wait a minute... ). Anyhow, the commentators here in Italy made a very big deal out of those new slitted front wheel covers that Ferrari used last race. The purpose is not only to cool the brakes, but also to channel the low density heated air from the brakes to the rear of the car, thus giving an aerodynamic advantage. The claim is that this innovation is the greatest single factor that led to their dominance last weekend.

And... since it does not rotate, nobody can say its a moving aerodynamic device.

How long until we see this on their rival's cars? (McLaren controversy excluded )

[Adam43]

I presume McLaren know how to do this

They are an interesting piece of kit, especially the wheel gun that comes with it. Didn't they have a slight problem after one of the stops at Silverstone? Although it was nothing major it does look like wheel changes are a little trickier now. This shouldn't be a big problem as the length of the stop is usually defined by the fuel not the tyre changes.

[cjent]

Saw a bit on SPEED about this. Great idea, although just a clear hubcap, in appearance. Simple ideas always work best.

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

I presume McLaren know how to do this

They are an interesting piece of kit, especially the wheel gun that comes with it. Didn't they have a slight problem after one of the stops at Silverstone? Although it was nothing major it does look like wheel changes are a little trickier now. This shouldn't be a big problem as the length of the stop is usually defined by the fuel not the tyre changes.

The tyre change is more complicated now, as not only do they have the funny gun, but they also appear to have to spin them to lock them into place. But it looked like it went off without a hitch to me - and I was in a room full of Ferrari fans holding their breath when they changed tyres

[Gt_R]

The first time Kimi pitted, the wheel hub dropped off the tyres and the gun, which i presume isn't suppose to happen. As in, iirc, a different wheel hub got onto the car than the original.

That said, its a simple yet nice innovation from Ferrari, as many of their innovations usually are. Soon, teams will copy, but i think few will fully understand the concept and exploit it to the extent that Ferrari had.

Saying which, i doubt it is the main reason for Ferrari's dominance. Mclaren wasn't really that slow in comparison to Ferrari.

[Armco Bender]

Bling...bling....spinning hub caps....al da boyz down the hoodz ad im for ages...

[gttouring]

neat but i saw a team with solid rears like the ferrari at silverstone... the fronts hmmm

aren't they actually air extractors? and not for smoothing the airflow out the rims? and the smoothing is a benefiT?

[NAC]

Article on Motorsport enews on the rims, page 27

http://enews.mnews.com.au/

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

The tyre change is more complicated now, as not only do they have the funny gun, but they also appear to have to spin them to lock them into place. But it looked like it went off without a hitch to me - and I was in a room full of Ferrari fans holding their breath when they changed tyres

I thought it took a bit more time than a normal tyre change, but as the refueling normally takes more time than changing tyres, it isn't that big a problem. In the Spa test reports it was said Ferrari still have some little problems with the stops.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

And... since it does not rotate, nobody can say its a moving aerodynamic device.

They may not rotate, but the front wheels still steer, and wouldnt that count as movement?

[Dutton]

The centre of it wouldn't alter from the reference plane, though, would it?

[FPV GTHO]

I'd say it would. If the teams ideally want the steering movement to rotate on the centre of the tyres, then these rim shields being attached on the outside would still move in an arc through a complete turn. Either way i wouldve thought the rival teams could easily make a case against them for being moveable aerodynamic devices, unlike Renaults mass damper, but nothing's been done about it so far..

[Gt_R]

As always, maybe its worth considering that why nothing has been done so far, and no teams have so far complained, (if that part is really that blatantly breaking any rules) is because that MAYBE there's a good chance that the front wheel design is clearly within the rules?

[Knowlesy]

Many things have been clearly within the rules, until they prove to be a success and are then banned at a convenient moment.

I don't think these will be such a success that they will suffer that fate though.

[Suze]

Adam's right, they did have a problem at Silverstone. Got some pics at home from testing - will see if am "allowed" to put them up! May be interesting for some as closeups from the testing if you haven't seen them.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I don't think these will be such a success that they will suffer that fate though.

Might as well take them off then!

[NAC]

Originally Posted by Suze

Adam's right, they did have a problem at Silverstone. Got some pics at home from testing - will see if am "allowed" to put them up! May be interesting for some as closeups from the testing if you haven't seen them.

Great. Would like to see pics

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Gt_R

As always, maybe its worth considering that why nothing has been done so far, and no teams have so far complained, (if that part is really that blatantly breaking any rules) is because that MAYBE there's a good chance that the front wheel design is clearly within the rules?

Renaults mass damper was legal for almost 12 months, right under the FIA's nose until McLaren complained about them. These front wheel shields have only been around for a few rounds.

[Barberouge]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

They may not rotate, but the front wheels still steer, and wouldnt that count as movement?

I suspect that they are classed as brake ducts - so no problems with the rules.

[Patrick Fletche]

I could be wrong but I understand that these work in two ways. Firstly because they are sucking air out off the brakes the scoops and ducts to get the air to the brakes in the first place can be smaller. Not only does this mean less drag, it also means that more air is going over the aerodynamic devices, so they work better.

The second benefit is that they dump the air from the brakes into the low pressure area behind the front wheels, reducing their drag. It seems that the wheels make up about a third of the total drag of the car so there are big gains to be had.

There is plenty of time to do a more complicated wheel change because refuelling is the limiting factor, taking several times longer than a wheel change.

Let's see how soon they are copied.

I am new here so if I am just stating the obvious tell me and I will shut up.

[Inigo Montoya]

Welcome Patrick I agree on all counts - they appear to give a huge advantage.

[dave not neil]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eor6UaJ_VGU

[dave not neil]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e79SWyn6yg

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by dave not neil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eor6UaJ_VGU

If only they took that long in real life.

[avsfan733]

I didn't realize the cutout was intentional until I watched that second video. I was wondering if they were really that fragile which would seem a dangerous thing.