Everybody was excited about it when it came and for right reasons. While it gave edge to others it also caused danger. Eventually it’s been voted by the Formula One teams that the notorious ‘F-duct’ is banned from the next season.
The aerodynamic device was originally invented by the engineers from McLaren in the beginning of this season along with many new things that came in this season. And the new adjustments and additions to gear were giving a better performance for the drivers in general too.
There were new designs for instance wider wheel bases to increase friction and centre of stability. Also new covers especially designed for engines making them more aerodynamic. There was stuff from allover the place like new rear wing diffusers, barrage boards and of course different versions of better aerodynamic ducts. There were even some new interesting changes in the engines.
The controversial gear has the capability to direct the oncoming air from the cockpit and use it to stall the rear wing which then allows greater velocity when traveling in a straight line.
In a convention of Formula One Teams’ Association they voted it out due to a couple of reasons. In the meeting at the Spanish Grand Prix it was generally noted that the gear had safety concerns as well as cost issues. The McLaren team being the pioneers of course tried to resist but in vain.
There were teams who initially made their own versions of the F-Duct but they too voted against it. Teams like Ferrari, Sauber and Williams were ones who came in pretty accomplished with their achievement but in the end had lose it too.
During the races it was seem that drivers’ safety was coming in concern de to this mechanism. F-1 racing is a competitive sport and drivers were seen using one hand or sometimes driving with just their fingers touching and even without hand on their steering at high speeds just because of this device.
Lewis Hamilton driving for McLaren himself admits that he had an edge with the equipment but on the other hand he was seen driving even more perilous than usual. Fernando Alonso was also seen doing something that made everybody jump. He was spotted driving his Ferrari at high speeds with hand on his steering.
The F-Duct is not the only device to have been banned this season. The ‘double diffusers’ earlier made some outrage too and they got banned.
For now McLaren can at the least utilise it and make good use of it as last Sunday Hamilton lost the 2nd place at the Spanish Grand Prix.
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