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Ferrari revolutionise wheel aero

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Ferrari have once again developed a new rim cover, but this time it has been so thoroughly developed that it doesn't rotate with the wheel any more. The new cover is fitted inside the front wheel to help brake disk cooling. The assembly comes with a newly developed wheel nut (see left image). The nut consist of a central, silver coloured part that does not rotate and is fixed to the wheel axis. Around it is a blue part that does rotate with the wheel. When the fronts wheels are now changed during a pit stop, the carbon rim cover comes off with the nut as one part. After a new tyre is fitted, the wheel nut is again put on with the help of a specially developed screwer to ease handling for the pit crew.

The new system is ingenious in a way that it allows for the cooling exit (opening in lower left of right image) can stay at the same location all through the lap and hereby increase brake cooling and wheel aerodynamic efficiency. The fixed location meanwhile also has the benefit that it washes away earlier protests of rivalling teams who claim that the wheel covers (the ones that rotate with the wheel itself) are forbidden moveable aerodynamic devices.

Comments

By Steven on 08-07-2007 at 02:06

I should also add that the brake cooling exhaust in the static fairing is located down and backwards to try to direct the air under the sidepods. Hence it will also improve rear end downforce.

More photos at higher resolutions can be found in the forum.

By Ian P. on 08-07-2007 at 17:29

Interesting that the Official F1 FIA site refers to these as \"Front Rim Shields\" and not brake ducts, wheel fairings, suspension mounted aerodynamic devices, all f which would be against the rules.

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/ ... 8/444.html

Bet we see othr teams developing and refining both the rear wheel fans and the front fairings. There are a bunch of aero integration possibilities for both the front and the rear not to mention the further development of the actual wheel itself as a means of moving air. Can we all say... moveable suspension mounted aerodynamic device....

By Steven on 08-07-2007 at 23:39

I think the FIA just clearly ban every addition on the outer side of the rim, for whatever reason. Full wheels are just ugly and take away some of the beauty of the sport.

By mini696 on 09-07-2007 at 00:03

\"The fixed location meanwhile also has the benefit that it washes away earlier protests of rivalling teams who claim that the wheel covers (the ones that rotate with the wheel itself) are forbidden moveable aerodynamic devices.\"

The still move with the steering.

I cant wait to watch the tape of the race tonight to see the mechanics replacing the front whels.

Good on Ferrari for trying these, I wonder why more teams dont use them though, they cant have such a great advantage.

By jamsbong on 09-07-2007 at 04:23

This is very impressive! At first I thought the covering spins with the wheels and thus making it a movable part.

But now I understand it more clearly. This is a very clever way of reducing drag more than anything else. It also means that the mechanics for the front wheels have numerous more jobs to do when pit stops comes.

I believe you have to align the hub so that gap is facing in the right place.

I love technologies like these. I don\'t want it ban but rather, I want to see all teams get into it.

To me, Technology innovation such as these should be encouraged rather than banned.

By FLC on 10-07-2007 at 14:58

The small wing-shaped air-ducts, above the primary one also move when steering the car, and I think most of the teams use them.

By gcdugas on 11-07-2007 at 04:07

By gcdugas on 11-07-2007 at 04:10

The cover spins like a lazy susan until it hits some indents and assumes its position. I saw during the race the mechanic put the wheel on and another spun the disc into position.

By jddh1 on 11-07-2007 at 05:28

During one of Ferrari\'s stops at Silverstone, one mechanic -- I believe the one in charge of the front right -- had trouble with the cover. So he used the backup power drill. It was very interesting. I believe that earlier they used the whole disk covers because they had to also develop the power drills as well to work with the newest nuts.

I also like that BBS is still showing on the covers. I wonder if we\'ll see these types of covers on street tuners soon.

By Ian P. on 11-07-2007 at 15:59

I have been trying to visualize what this wheel cover might do and what it doesn\'t do.
It won\'t increase the air flow through the wheel so brake cooling must not be limited by air flow from inside to outside. It might reduce windage and turbulence on the outer face of the wheel but potentially at the expense of more air flow on the inner face around the suspension.
The best I can come up with is that rather than letting air be pumped out 360 degrees from the outer face, it restricts this to the open slot in the cover. Why orient it to the rear..?? If the rolling and forward moving wheel generates a large low pressure area on the back side just above the road, directin the flow in thea direction may reduce drag and turbulence in the area just outside the sidepods. Is there also a combined effect to the action of the wings on the top of the body just aft of the suspension.... I bet there is.
While I don\'t think these fit within the current rules, I have to admit it is both a brilliant idea and very clever technical execution.
Mad Max will be happt to see that there is indeed a Road Car application for this.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/beca ... rd-wheels/

By ClubF1 on 16-07-2007 at 08:50

Hi. This is my first post here. When viewing this novel idea for the first time, one would assume that the main benefit of the wheel cover would be reduced drag over the wheel. Then you notice the cut away, which supports Ferrari\'s theory that it\'s primarily for brake cooling. One dilemma that F1 teams face when racing is what size brake cooling ducts to use. The large ducts are very effective for cooling, yet have more aero drag on the down side. This is where I believe Ferrari have killed 2 birds with one stone. The wheel covers hot air extraction effect reduces drag due to the employment of smaller brake ducts and they also enable smoother airflow over the entire wheel assembly.
This youtube clip gives a detailed view on the new system
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e79SWyn6yg

By TERRASTAR18 on 17-07-2007 at 17:25

i have a question- what exactly does this do: does it cool the wheels or does it add heat to it?

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