FRIC Could Be Banned As Soon As Germany

[DaveW]

Test:
1. Hold chassis in place
2. Load cell at each wheel
3. Apply load to one wheel, examine for change of load at opposite end (not side) of car.
4. Car passes when front loaded wheels do not move rears, and vice versa.

Good answer.

Except, there is no mandated place to hold the chassis. Load cells do exist (they are used to weigh drivers after a race), but no facilities exist to load a wheel individually. Hence the FIA must prepare for the test, so exposing the test plan....

[hollus]

Past experience suggests that the way the FIA decide on the legality of a design is to devise a compliance test. The vertical stiffness test of the tea tray is one example.

It would be interesting to speculate on the (static) test the FIA might devise to check that suspensions are not interconnected. In case you think that is too easy, you might also want to speculate how a team might defeat the test (legitimately or otherwise).

I'll pitch in on the second one, beating tests is so much more fun than designing them...
The hydraulic circuit includes an accumulator which includes a very small air chamber. The intended behaviour only happens when the air is hot enough and hence expands / builds up pressure. The chamber just so happens to sit next to the batteries, which only get hot during the warm up lap. For extra points, the driver can switch between the two behaviours of the system by choosing to use his bateries more, which then get hot, or letting them cool down by bypassing them (ocassionally). Of course this system would already be in place before there is any FRICking test to beat, as it can adapt the car's behaviour to the fuel load.

[Tim.Wright]

Honestly, given that every new technology in the suspension in the last 30 years has been banned with the single exception of the inerter - the easiest way to regulate would be to simply mandate the traditional double wishbone, push/pull rod actuator spring damper with a 3rd spring and anti roll bar. You won't need any special test rigs to check for compliance. You only need to insepect the suspension and it will be obvious if its legal or not.

Why they bother to leave the rules partially open, yet ban absolutely everything new that pops up is a mystery.

As much as I hate homologation of anything, looking at the list of things they have banned in the last 30 years its pretty clear to see that they are only willing to accept one solution for the suspension:

• Active ride
• Active kinematics
• Adaptive damping
• Driver adjustabe ride height
• Camber compensation mechanisms Renault 2003
• Virtual and semi-virtual control arms
• Mass dampers Renault 2006
• Reactive ride height Lotus 2012
• Front to rear interconnection

[Shrieker]

I don't agree with any of the moves the fia pulled off, but I have to admit the cunning and political intellect is something I very much find admireable. Why in earth they don't use the same wisdom when drawing up technical rules is beyond me.

Excuse me, but when did faggotry become wisdom ?

[NathanOlder]

So Mclaren have confirmed they will remove the FRIC system for Hockenheim, So if they dont win the race, will they be protesting ?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/114963?

[turbof1]

I don't agree with any of the moves the fia pulled off, but I have to admit the cunning and political intellect is something I very much find admireable. Why in earth they don't use the same wisdom when drawing up technical rules is beyond me.

Excuse me, but when did faggotry become wisdom ?

This is unfortunaly how the world works: by using brilliant strategic moves, for good or for bad. It's the difference between plain faggotry and wisdom.

Don't get me wrong: the end doesn't justify the means. Just admiring the employment of the means.

[Shrieker]

I just don't see how underhanded, blatant manipulation and byzantine power games can be labeled as wisdom. Our definitions most certainly differ...

[Cam]

I just don't see how underhanded, blatant manipulation and byzantine power games can be labeled as wisdom. Our definitions most certainly differ...

The strong take from the weak. The smart take from the strong.

[bill shoe]

Great post from Mark Hughes as always.
http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/f1/wh ... spotlight/

Mark Hughes hypothesizes this: Red Bull has been King of the Hill since 2010 due to their amazing ability to flex the Tea-tray upward as aero load increased. Now Mercedes is faster due, in part, to their advanced FRIC that's a substitute for the RB trickery. RB innocently inquires to the FIA if such-and-such FRIC system would be legal and Charlie Whiting does... what he does.

The Mark Hughes theory is lent much credibility by this: Red Bull has since made a public commitment to not protest any FRIC at the German GP, but Toro Rosso quietly declines to make any such commitment. This is the same Toro Rosso that receives a weekly fax from Helmut Marko telling them when they can fart. But suddenly Toro Rosso have a difference of opinion with their Red Bull stable masters. And this difference happens to put Mercedes at risk. Delicious.

I was kind-of rooting for Mercedes before, but now I feel enthusiastic about it!!

[XRayF1]

Hmm ... curious.

Accussations, Allegations of wrong doing by any party, 'please clarify, dear FIA'.

Don't get me wrong - it has been really quiet for some time now, and I wonder why.
Dennis is back and the whole F1 is going nuts again.
Ccoincidence?

Has anyone of the F1 intimates looked into this?

Seems that McLaren asked FIA for clarfication of FRIC.
For the last 6 years they have NOT asked for anything - and this falls more or less exactly into such time when Ron Dennis was not part of F1.

Would really be interested if anyone may unraveel whats going on here, including Mark Hughes' theory.

[FW17]

FRIC is out!

McLaren drops FRIC for German GP this weekend, means they would protest others who are using it.

[FoxHound]

FRIC is out!

McLaren drops FRIC for German GP this weekend, means they would protest others who are using it.

It doesn't mean that at all. What it does mean is if in the event of a protest, McLaren would be the net benefactors of teams using the system that finish ahead of them.

[FW17]

What it does mean is if in the event of a protest (by McLaren), McLaren would be the net benefactors of teams using the system that finish ahead of them.

[Thunder]

Merc and RB were reported to drive without FRICS days ago. McLaren is just the first Team to officially confirm it.
No Team in their right senses will drive with FRICS, so there won't even be Protests.

[djos]

What a farce!

Just bring back fully active suspensions again and let's get on with racing what are supposed to be the worlds most technologically advanced race cars!