how hard is it to create downforce

[adam2007]

how hard is it to find 1 tenth of a second, i remeber Mclaren said they aim to find 1-2 tenths per race weekend in 2008. where is the first thing they start when looking to create it?

[Jersey Tom]

Downforce is easy. Really easy.

Downforce with minimal drag... that's tough.

[Callum]

yeah to obtain more downforce is really easy, having higher angles of attack on your wings is the easiest way of doing it but increasing downforce while not increasing drag is the hard part..

[Scotracer]

Downforce is easy. Really easy.

Downforce with minimal drag... that's tough.

What he said.

[xpensive]

There's actually a thread on the subject called "Importance of the diffuser?"

[kilcoo316]

how hard is it to find 1 tenth of a second, i remeber Mclaren said they aim to find 1-2 tenths per race weekend in 2008. where is the first thing they start when looking to create it?

How hard it is depends on the base your starting from.


If your overall concept is quite rough round the edges, then simply by refining what you have, you'll get more.


If you have a pretty polished package, then it becomes tougher, you have to try new ideas, new philosophies and change the concepts, which will have knock-ons on all interdependencies - which may need redesigned... and can lead down half-blind alleys very easily.

For example - you find half a point front downforce on turn-in by changing the front wing secondary flap area & camber distribution (which is a change of concept)... then think that changing the brake ducts/inside wheel fairings and bargeboards may yield more*... but find nothing.


*you'd think they should (I would think they should too)... but should doesn't mean will.

[kilcoo316]

Downforce is easy. Really easy.

I wouldn't exactly say its really easy.


At Monaco they don't give a --- about drag - but still are way short of downforce compared to what they'd like.

[Sikthskies]

I would have thought that would be due to restrictions in the physical size of wing they're allowed to run.

They can only take what they have to a certain angle of attack before it stalls, so I would say that downforce is pretty easy outside of a regulatory environment. That is until you start getting into the high angle of attack territory.