Downforce from sidepods

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FLC
FLC
0
Joined: 10 Mar 2006, 14:01

Downforce from sidepods

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Seeing the Ferrari acer ducts and other teams exhaust solutions made me think about the sidepod design of current F1 cars. More specifically, why are they designing the sidepods with a down slope towards the rear? doesn't that create lift?

How come no team has tried to shape the sidepods as an upside wing? Something like TR's double floor sidepod, with Ferrari's current mild L shape, the outer extremities shaped as an upside wing and the inner "tunnel" shaped downwards to point the exhaust where needed. Am I being naive? Will that work? Allowed under the current regulations?


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wesley123
wesley123
204
Joined: 23 Feb 2008, 17:55

Re: Downforce from sidepods

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The idea was posted multiple time sbefore. In current formula it will not work, due to floor rules as well as other requirements.

The sidepods now slope downwards due to by that way the air can reach the beam wing better, increasing downforce.
"Bite my shiny metal ass" - Bender

Just_a_fan
Just_a_fan
593
Joined: 31 Jan 2010, 20:37

Re: Downforce from sidepods

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Even if the sidepod generated downforce, the flat floor plate would also be subjected to low pressure above it from the shaped sidepod. In effect, the downforce would be mostly, if not totally, cancelled out. And the loss of downforce owing to the airflow to the beam wing/diffuser being compromised would likely mean the overall downforce of the car would be reduced.
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