New designs for speedier F1
STREAMLINING: CHANGES TO ALLOW CARS TO ACHIEVE GREATER DOWNFORCE THAN BEFORE
Copious amounts of money went into shape of the all new, improved F1 cars.
Recent F1 team staff appointments are a clear indication that aerodynamics are considered one of the vital factors to ensure increased speeds for the 2017 F1 cars.
It was a foregone conclusion, after Paddy Lowe’s departure from Mercedes at the end of last season, that James Allison would join the reigning world champions.
Allison started his career as a junior in the aerodynamics department of the Benetton team and rose to become head of aerodynamics in 1998. In this period Allison spent two years with the French F1 team Larousse, but returned to Benetton where he remained until 2000 when the Englishman joined Ferrari as an aerodynamicist responsible for track operations.
In 2005 Renault purchased Benetton, and Allison took up the position as deputy technical director, remaining with the team through the Lotus Renault GP and Lotus F1 eras until his return to Maranello in 2014.
Filling the new position of technical director at Mercedes from March 1, Allison will report directly to Toto Wolff.
With world championships with both Ferrari and Renault under his belt, Allison is no stranger to success and his input is sure to keep the Silver Arrows at the front.
From July 3 this year Renault Sport will have a new head of aerodynamics in Pete Machin. As with Allison, Machin brings a wealth of expertise and experience.
His career in F1 began at the now defunct Arrows team as senior computational fluid dynamics engineer. He stayed with the team from 1997 to its demise in 2002, when he moved to Jaguar, which, four years later was sold, becoming Red Bull Racing.
His wind tunnel development was a contributing factor in the success of the RB6, RB7, RB8 and RB9 Renault powered championship winning cars.
After his appointment the Englishman said. “The technical regulation changes for 2017 are the first significant change in four years and will allow F1 cars to achieve greater downforce than at any other time in the history of the sport.”
Not to be outdone, Williams F1 have appointed a talented and experienced aero guru, South African-born Dirk de Beer will become the new head of aerodynamics on March 1.
Starting at Swift Engineering, he worked on IndyCar designs before moving to the aerodynamics department of Sauber.
In 2008, he joined Renault as head of aerodynamics and remained until 2013 when he joined Ferrari as chief aerodynamicist. De Beer left the Maranello-based team last year.
His task with Williams is not going to be easy, with the Grove team having slipped down the rankings last season.
Despite Mercedes power, the package just did not come together, with both Massa and Bottas struggling to find the sweet spot.
With a new car and a re-employed Massa, who is set to be pressurised by Lance Stroll, it will be a tough year.
One person who will not be experiencing his new car’s aerodynamics in next week’s first tests at the Catalunya Circuit in Spain is Pascal Wehrlein.
After his spectacular crash during the Race of Champions last month, the 22-year-old German has been ruled out on medical grounds. On social media he wrote. “I have to skip the first winter test due to medical advice because of a back issue. I feel sorry for the team but we’ll come back stronger!”
As you read this we should have already seen the results of thousands of hours and copious amounts of money in the shape of the all new, improved F1 cars for 2017. Sauber were the first on Monday, Renault launched yesterday and it will be Force India today, so by now you will have had an opportunity to examine the new look.
If you have not had a chance to see the new designs you will get some idea from the Sauber C36 with its Ferrari power unit as shown here.