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Ferrari continue outboard mirrors on F60

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Despite the stringent regulations that specify just where bodywork is allowed, Ferrari have still found a way to mount its outboard wing mirrors. The new solution looks like a combination of the sidepod panel on the Red Bull RB4 with an added mirror. Renault previously tried to put its mirrors on the sidepod panels back on 2007 but reverted from the solution because of vibrations.
The Ferrari design clearly shows that the sidepod panel has two aligned parts from fairly thick carbon fibre to make sure that the mirrors are firmly held in place. No doubt the mounting positions of the panels - the rear one fixed to the sidepod, the front one to a floor extension - will add to that. As marked in the image, you lower (black) part of the panel is shaped in conjunction with the new smaller bargeboard to direct air around the sidepod.
The upper front of the sidepod itself is also shaped particularly. The most forward part hides the side impact crash structures. The rest of the sidepod bodywork pulls more to the back as it allows a cleaner airflow around the pod.

Comments

By DanyalDenyo on 12-01-2009 at 17:26

this is obviously against the "spirit" of the current regulations. i wonder if any other car will have a similar system or it will be another only-red-car technology. they may as well design a mirror which acts like a wing.

By DanyalDenyo on 12-01-2009 at 17:47

this is obviously against the "spirit" of the current regulations. i wonder if any other car will have a similar system or it will be another only-red-car technology. they may as well design a mirror which acts like a wing.

By keener427 on 13-01-2009 at 00:21

Thanks for the detailed information. I am surprised that the new rules allow such a construction as well. I am pleased to see it as it shows there is still some room for innovation and (pun intended) outside-the-box thinking.

By Alefosi on 13-01-2009 at 16:22

I guess that's up to FiA Scrutining!

The Spirit of F1 is to work round the regulations, looking for loopholes.

I think Ferrari is very clever. I do like the undercut in the sidepods and that elongated nosecone. Reminiscing of the F92A 'doubledecker' / F14 jetfighter.

By Astro1 on 14-01-2009 at 04:46

People are so LAME!!

If you like manufacturer (A), then if manufacturer (B) designs something "NEW" and within the regulations submitted by the FIA, then manufacturer (B) is not within the spirit of the rules. What exactly is this "spirit"?

If you like manufacturer (B), then if manufacturer (B) designs something "NEW" and within the regulations submitted by the FIA, then manufacturer (B) has created a great idea nobody thought of.

Close your eyes, forget which team you like or dislike, read the rules as they are written, get an engineering degree and start designing a COMPETITIVE car (withing the rules written on PAPER!!!) all while thinking about some "SPIRIT OF THE RULES" that cannot be written in black and white.

DO that, and your car will SUCK!

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