Most important technical development in F1?

[RH1300S]

Actually the Lotus 43 with the unpopular BRM H16 engine and the BRM P83 with the same engine both build in1966 were the first cars with fully stressed engine. The extremely successful Lotus 49 from 1967 was the first with a DFV V8 engine but it cannot take that honor. It proved to be a monumental design success and all F1 cars since that time - with very few exceptions - had a fully stressed engine.

Hmmmm - you learn something every day - that scuppers my vote!

Until know I would have argued that black was white in favour of the 49 being he first. I really thought the 43 had sponsons supporting the engine

[WhiteBlue]

I really thought the 43 had sponsons supporting the engine

That would have been the 33.




Lotus 33




BRM P83







Lotus 43 BRM H16 Monza/Watkins Glen 1966



Lotus 49



According to sources I found the 49 was really a slightly updated 43 with the different engine replacing the BRM H16 with the DFV V8.

[andrew]

Most important technical development? The understanding of aerodynamics as the learning is still on-going. Engines follow the same basic principle (sprak ignites fuel in a cylinder and pushes down a piston) as do gear boxes but the aeor is constantly changing.

[Jan_83]

my top's:
-monocoque
-carbonfiber tub
-moving the fuelcell behind the driver
-engine to the back
-spoilers
-turbos
-mirrors

most useless:
-X-wings
-H16 Engine & turbines
-moving devices
-Sebastian Vettel

[aral]

my top's:
-monocoque
-carbonfiber tub
-moving the fuelcell behind the driver
-engine to the back
-spoilers
-turbos
-mirrors

most useless:
-X-wings
-H16 Engine & turbines
-moving devices
-Sebastian Vettel

Odd selection. Mirrors? Moving fuel cell? and then followed it up with a cheap jibe at one of the drivers.

[RAF]

• Fully stressed rear engine by Cooper?
• radial tyres by Michelin
• turbo engines by Renault
• first electronic engine control unit and fuel injection

As far as I remember, the Cooper engine sat in a space frame and was not stressed. The first engine to be used as a stressed part of the car was the DFV, and it was in a Lotus

Actually the Lotus 43 with the unpopular BRM H16 engine and the BRM P83 with the same engine both build in1966 were the first cars with fully stressed engine. The extremely successful Lotus 49 from 1967 was the first with a DFV V8 engine but it cannot take that honor. It proved to be a monumental design success and all F1 cars since that time - with very few exceptions - had a fully stressed engine.

Same is true for the radial tyres, the carbon fibre tub and the electronic engine control unit. They were so successful that every later design used them.

I think you will find that you are both incorrect. The first F1 car to use the engine as a stressed member was the Lancia D50! Although not rear engined of course.

[WhiteBlue]

Good web site here



Great stuff indeed! Lotus then simply picked up the concept and used it for a rear engined car which took the concept even further in it's dominance.

[strad]

Colin was not the first monocoque...sorry to burst your bubble..It's the old nothing new is really new thing...I'm wracking my poor brain and can't recall the name but it was at least 1925 or even 23..and for the wings,,same thing Franz Opel in like '25.
Chapmans was prettier tho.

[RAF]

That would be the Avions Voisin C6 laboratoire from 1923
First Monocoque grand prix car.

[strad]

Voisin
That's it...poor brain knew it was a V but with the 1000s of photos I couldn't find it...thanks

[RAF]

I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in a history of F1 especially before 1950... Lots of old photo's and drawings and stats. I've read it back to back several times.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chequered-Flag- ... 241&sr=1-2

[TheRMVR]

I also think that aerodynamics may have been the most important technical development. Especially because they're still exploring that area.

[xpensive]

The Lotus 72 by Maurice Phillippe, with it's side-mounted radiators changed the visual appearence of the F1 car forever.

The 72 also introduced torsion-bar suspension and a multi-panelled rear wing.

[autogyro]

Aerodynamic development is motivated only by the regulations.
Where has it improved in the subsonic area since WW2?

[aral]

Aerodynamic development is motivated only by the regulations.
Where has it improved in the subsonic area since WW2?

Look at any modern aircraft, of all sizes, and you will see. Also aero and fluid dynamics is also very relevant in yachting. Look how it has moved on there too. The examples in both fields are far too numerous to mention.