New 2012 F1 cars

[smithy17]

now i don't know how many of you guys on here follow formula 1 but i still enjoy it all.
i've recently seen images of the new 2012 cars and many of them appear to have a pretty hideous dipped nose, this is apparently due to them running a pull-rod suspension at the front instead of the conventional push-rod, i did a little reading on this as i'm studying engineering at uni and thought it was quite interesting and it apparently lets them run a lower front end. i then saw mclaren didnt have the dip, is this an indication they are running push rods still?
what do you guys think to how these new cars are looking?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/16872627

[littleoldman2]

McLaren are running pull rods i think its the difference in the height of the chassis tub to the wing that lets them not have the dip. Its going to be an interesting year.

[Runako]

Really? I understood that shape was due to regulations about the front nose height which requires it to be lower to stop the aerodynamic advantage of forcing air under the car (i.e. blown diffuser style). So the teams (with platypus nose) came up with this design to raise the chasiss but still comply with the regs.

[fizzwheel]

this is apparently due to them running a pull-rod suspension at the front instead of the conventional push-rod

I dont think thats it, Its to do with FIA regulations about how high the nose has to be off the ground.

The F1 teams want a high nose as it cleans up the air flow over the front wing and under the car, whereas the FIA want a low nose as they've decided it makes the cars safer and less dangerous in a crash situation.

I think the idea behind the stepped nose is to meet the new regulations but still help with air flow and the position the driver sits in in the car.

Says this on Wikipedia

Technical regulations for 2012 include the reprofiling of the car's nose. The pre-2012 regulations allow the nose to be as high as 62.5 centimetres (24.6 in) above ground, but the revisions to the sporting code lower the maximum allowable height to 55 centimetres (22 in).[132]

[littleoldman2]

Yes for some reason McLarens chassis is not as high but the nose height is as low, but I do believe they have pull rather than push rods.

[littleoldman2]

Just been on McLarens website and it's tech specs say "Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement". So I was wrong

[smithy17]

the nose height would explain the dip but i have read that some teams, ferrari and force india are running pull rod suspensions alongside that.
just hope someone can get close to redbull and vettle this year to make it a bit more interesting!

[Runako]

Pull Rod/Push Rod ... isn't this just a reflection of a teams interpretation of the reg's re lower nose? Don't think there's any real advantage as the front aero's are so restricted these days. Rumour has it that Mclaren has 'special diffuser' set-up (hence the more regular shape of the nose).

[littleoldman2]

From Ferrari press release
""The nose has an ungainly shape on the top, and that is the result of the regulation that requires us to have the nose quite low but the dynamic desire to have the lower part of chassis as high as possible. Even though it is not aesthetically pleasing, we believe it is the most efficient aerodynamic solution for that area of the car.

"One of the innovations of the car is the front suspension. For mainly aerodynamic reasons, we have selected a pull rod solution. It took us quite a lot of work from the structural and design offices and vehicle dynamics department to regain all the mechanical characteristics we wanted the suspension to have."

[Runako]

All this means is that the push rod system is not as suited to the lower nose as is the pullrod system, if you can fit it all in. The reason the teams stopped using pull rods is because it was difficult to package in a car with a higher nose so the current solution is the best of both worlds. I would argue that the bigger advantage is still the front wing and under the car.

[smithy17]

All this means is that the push rod system is not as suited to the lower nose as is the pullrod system, if you can fit it all in. The reason the teams stopped using pull rods is because it was difficult to package in a car with a higher nose so the current solution is the best of both worlds. I would argue that the bigger advantage is still the front wing and under the car.

i see, i wondered if there was some mechanical advantage for its choice due to where the components are attached

[Runako]

I suppose at this stage who knows? These formula 1 teams are secretive and tricky ;) Can't wait for the start of the season & same goes for MotoGP. For the first time ever I've been looking out for the GP test times! Lol

[smithy17]

agreed, can't wait to have something to watch at the weekends! at least the six nations is on now to tie me over for a while

[fizzwheel]

i see, i wondered if there was some mechanical advantage for its choice due to where the components are attached

I dont believe so, Pull Rod or Push both do the same thing, its more to do with packaging the various bits and pieces into the car so that it works better aerodynamically.

If you havent read them Steve Matchett writes some good books on F1.

Look for one called "The Chariott Makers, assembling an F1 Car" he talks alot about pull rod vs push rod setups in there.

[smithy17]

I dont believe so, Pull Rod or Push both do the same thing, its more to do with packaging the various bits and pieces into the car so that it works better aerodynamically.

If you havent read them Steve Matchett writes some good books on F1.

Look for one called "The Chariott Makers, assembling an F1 Car" he talks alot about pull rod vs push rod setups in there.

thanks will make a trip to the library when i finish exams :)