Flexible wings controversy 2010

[xpensive]

I think it's 3.17 actually, but where does it say that the FIA can alter the test-criterias mentioned?

[WhiteBlue]

Even though the current wings are found legal with the current test, worries by McLaren and Mercedes GP have urged the FIA to put into effect rule 3.17.8 of the technical regulations. The article states: "In order to ensure that the requirements of Article 3.15 are respected, the FIA reserves the right to introduce further load/deflection tests on any part of the bodywork which appears to be (or is suspected of), moving whilst the car is in motion."

From the evidence that I have seen over the weekend I think that there is enough reason to suspect that the requirements of article 3.15 were not respected. Unfortunately it hits Red Bull at a time where they cannot prepare new wings for Spa. They probably will have to race their old wing (which hopefully will be available in sufficient numbers).

[xpensive]

And what makes you so sure their current wing cannot pass this new test?

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Xpensive, Scarbs, Richard thanks for the clarification.

So it will be amusing then come Spa, if Red Bull and Ferrari pass this new test and still manage to keep the same properties of the wing.
Worst case scenario for Red Bull is that if this wing really is the mainstay of their speed, they will suffer the most. At a time when they have reached the pinnacle of both championships, the irony I'm sure, will not be lost on Horner.

Mclaren will be pleased...

[WhiteBlue]

They probably will have to race their old wing.

And what makes you so sure their current wing cannot pass this new test?

I'm not actually sure as you can see in my original post. But the natural assumption is that Red Bull play the game as good as they can and the FiA will follow also as good. It means the new test cannot have been foreseen by Red Bull and Ferrari. This would indicate the probability for failing the new test should be greater than passing it.

[deus1066]

I expect their current wing to pass the test.

It just means that the other teams can stop moaning now, and build their wings to the same specs, and flex just as much. They've got plenty of time to do so too, depending on how creative they are with the mandatory 2 week Summer shutdown.

[mariano.torre.gomez]

adding more to the controversy
what if the matter is not the wing flexibility ?
what if is the whole is nose that tilts or bends ,1 mm on the back surface would be 5 or more at the nose edge?
do you remenber what happened whith Vettels nose in Silverstone, the whole nose went down , but was "fixed" and was not loose.
I firmily believe that checking the Video will appears some explanation
by chance was recorded by the TV, and was verY clear on the straight at full load went down.
just guessing?

[747heavy]

New FIA wing test - well I´m not surprised at all by this move from the FIA.
IMHO it´s sensible
But I´m sure RBR will be still the team to beat for the rest of the season.
Their car is much more then just one clever trick, it´s a well thought out concept all round
IMHO. It may hurt them a little bit, but will not make a night and day difference to their speed.

@Ringo

I´m not sure if the RBR wing works in this way, but I like your reasoning and line of tought.
So well done Ringo - Respect from my side =D>
It´s a nice and tidy explaination.

[flynfrog]

The actuator is allowed to move the flaps 6 degrees, why even if such an "Anti Roll Bar" was technically possible,
it wouldn't change the wing's stiffness very much.

they could run a gear reduction to do it so that 90 on the rod is 6 degrees on the wing. I doubt they are doing this but Im just thinking through how it could be done.

[xpensive]

I doubt that very much too, flyn.

Also, I don't think Adrian Newey is losing any sleep over the new tests, when I am certain that the flexing behaviour of the RBR wing has nothing to do with vertical load, he can red the rules too, but with horizontal such from drag.

[marcush.]

I doubt that very much too, flyn.

Also, I don't think Adrian Newey is losing any sleep over the new tests, when I am certain that the flexing behaviour of the RBR wing has nothing to do with vertical load, he can red the rules too, but with horizontal such from drag.

this is my opinion as well..they will easily pass the test as long as nobody will touch the wing and push /bend it rearwards...

the regs clearly state nothing is allowed to produce a meaons of mocvable aero device.so not a higher load is asked but a allowed flex depending on distance from car centreline with ANY load applied.be it horizontalvertical or sideways,be it quick or slowly applied... that would solve this issue.

[fausto cedros]

Also, I don't think Adrian Newey is losing any sleep over the new tests, when I am certain that the flexing behaviour of the RBR wing has nothing to do with vertical load, he can red the rules too, but with horizontal such from drag.

Well, at least it will exclude the theories of non linear deflection under vertical load. The explanation by Ringo is clever and fascinating,but in figures i wonder how much of the drag is generated by the flap, if it's enough to generate the described effect:i'd rather expect some snapping. Given the appearances we have from the films, i still think that it's aerodynamic moment rather than drag the key to the phenomenon.You cannot see it in a vertical load test as well.

[xpensive]

As long as tests are to be xecuted according to the following, I am certain that Newey is intelligent enough to have made sure that the FW will behave linear when subjected to a load at that very position.

3.17.1 Bodywork may deflect no more than 10mm vertically when a 500N load is applied vertically to it 800mm forward of the front wheel centre line and 795mm from the car centre line. The load will be applied in a downward direction using a 50mm diameter ram and an adapter 300mm long and 150mm wide. Teams must supply the latter when such a test is deemed necessary.

@ fausto; Yes indeed, it could very well be a combo of forces resulting in a moment giving the desired effect from the anisotrop material in the FW.

[tok-tokkie]

Exactly as fausto cedros says. By doubling the load & deflection (i.e. in a linear fashion) it will catch non-linear deflection but permit linear deflection. I suspect RB & Ferrari will have to abandon their current wings. This is the correct test to weed them out if that is how they are doing it.
However if they can continue with their present wings - that will be really interesting. Then deflection is being promoted by some other means than pure vertical loading or they are developing non linear loading.

[thestig84]

Could they not have announced exactly what the new test would be? They have given another opportunity for teams to get round the test.

If they had just said the test will be made stricter then flexi teams would have had to go to a worst case scenario?