Formula One: Ingenious invention- F-ducts to be banned for next season
The F-duct system has arguably been the invention of the season by a distance! Initially introduced by the McLaren Mercedes team, the device has given evidence of noticeably giving the car an edge with respect to straight line speed.
The general vote to ban the system next year was carried out at a meeting of teams’ organization known as FOTA. FOTA, Formula One Teams Association, consists of all twelve constructors competing this year and is headed by McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh. Despite McLaren’s written plea to all FOTA members how it would be ‘the wrong thing to do’, it was unanimously decided that the system be banned next year owing to its controversial nature.
The system has escaped the FIA’s regulation for ‘movable aerodynamic parts’ and is operated by channelling air through a hole in the cockpit area through the car and on to the rear wing - The result? Increased airflow on to the wing making it ‘stall’ that is, stopping it creating down force. The decrease in drag, or in simpler terms, the decrease in ‘air friction’, ultimately enables the car to use less of its engine power overcoming friction gaining precious units in the top speed department. The tweak is understandably only used in straight line sections as decreasing the amount of down force on the wing in corners would mean lower grip and increased chances of the car losing control.
The system is operated by drivers; the movable human element negates the need for illegal flexible aerodynamic parts!
Interestingly, while the system might ensure the same result, operating it differs from team to team. McLaren Mercedes drivers are understood to do so using their knees.
The interface for Ferrari on the other hand, is in the form of the driver’s left hand. Fernando Alonso was seen in his home Grand Prix, having one hand on the steering wheel and the other operating the F-ducts.
The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner offered a cautionary response to the invention. He admitted that while the F-ducts system is a stroke genius with the way it exploits the already strict rules and regulations imposed by the FIA this season. Having said that, the manner in which it is operated; seeing Formula One drivers virtually driving a car at over 300km/h with only one hand definitely raises some eyebrows in the safety department. He further commented that the cost difference would further play into the hands of the financially sound teams and further increase the gulf between higher and lower end constructors.
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