Why they don't adjust diffuser angle during pitstops?

[g-force_addict]

Sort of wing adjustment.
Is it banned?

[MadMatt]

Why would do need to do that ? And do you think you have the time to do it in 3 seconds ? Really I don't see the point. Having an active diffuser (as I suggested in the "ultimate car" thread) would be a good idea I think, but as all active aerodynamic devices are not allowed in F1, there is no point.

[marcush.]

the question is why not have a quick adjust of rideheights wings etc at once triggered by a single trigger activated by the front or rear car lift during pitsstop? during pitstops you are allowed to change what ever you want ,right? so why not carry the actuators on the car but only arming them during stops .

[MadMatt]

I assume you want to put the actuators on the suspension, and by doing so you are using what is described as an active suspension. If I follow your idea to the extreme, why not changing the whole car during pitstop ? No it doesn't work like this. Maybe if you have some kind of spacers that could pass the regulations (altough this is ONLY A THOUGHT because I'm not really into all details).

But actuators is definitly not allowed, especially on suspension/aero. Correct me if I'm wrong tho !

[Jersey Tom]

To Matt's point.. why would you want or need to? Have all of practice to get your aero balance how you want it.

You'd need to do it by a pushrod (or pullrod) length adjustment in any event, or somehow offset the static position of the torsion bars. The former is not something you're going to easily get done in 3-ish seconds. Latter might be feasible with some sort of jack screw.

IMO these type of pit stop adjustments are more necessarily in series like NASCAR where you're much more dependent on mechanical grip balance.

[Diff-user]

FIA F1 technical regulations says


" 10.1.2 The suspension system must be so arranged that its response results only from changes in load applied to the wheels

FIA F1 sporting regulation says

" If a competitor modifies any part on the car or makes changes to the set-up of the suspension whilst the car is being held under the parc ferm'e conditions the relevant driver must start the race from the pit lane and follow the procedures laid out in Article 38.2

this along with the ban on any adjustable body part other than the minor changes on the front wing (couldn't fish out the section which mentions that ) basically means the ride height and the diffuser stays as it is at the end of Q3 i believe

[Diff-user]

and ya those regs also means that the cars have to be set up in qualifying with a sub-optimal higher ride height if there are chances of major bottoming at higher fuel loads during the race.... since ride height cannot be altered in parc ferm'e

[andylaurence]

FIA F1 sporting regulation says

" If a competitor modifies any part on the car or makes changes to the set-up of the suspension whilst the car is being held under the parc ferm'e conditions the relevant driver must start the race from the pit lane and follow the procedures laid out in Article 38.2

Importantly, the penalty is to start the race from the pit lane. If you make your change during the pit stop, that's an un-enforcable penalty. Anyone able to model the benefit of reducing ride height at the stops? I wonder what the break-even time is...

[Richard]

There was a tech memo from FIA that adjustment had to be made by mechanical means from outside the car. That effectively excludes the adjustments discussed in this thread because they'd take too long. I can't find a link on line, it'll be out there somewhere.

AFAIK there is nothing to stop a team changing any part of the car after the race has started, the only problem is time.

[N12ck]

only if there was a way to do it the way you adjust the front wing angle, with a turn of an allen key, but having an adjustable diffuser would cause problems with sealing, to allow it to be able to be adjusted it cannot be sealed completely which may harm overall downforce from the diffuser,

[Lycoming]

AFAIK there is nothing to stop a team changing any part of the car after the race has started, the only problem is time.

they can only replace a part with the exact same part, ie. they cannot change out ARBs or springs. This is to comply with minimum weight regulations. I find it odd that snapping off the gurney is still legal though.

[marcush.]

my point is:
an actuator is only that when it is under power.
If there is only power to the actuator for the 3 seconds of the stop -making all adjustments you feel are necessary and disconnect the power source at the end of the stop .The car is again legal.
There is no word in the regs you are not allowed to adjust your car by electric motors or hydraulics ,there is only the reg you are not allowed to change under parc ferme rules and when the car is on the track .Adjustments in the pit lane during a stop are definetely allowed and not restricted.
You can change nosecones for example.

[Nando]

Would it be possible to do something similar with the suspension?

In a very simplified manner not counting anything with how suspension works, just pull four sprints, one in each corner during pit stops that would drop the car down?

Yes i know this sounds totally ridiculous but hell it can´t hurt to ask

[astracrazy]

FIA F1 sporting regulation says

" If a competitor modifies any part on the car or makes changes to the set-up of the suspension whilst the car is being held under the parc ferm'e conditions the relevant driver must start the race from the pit lane and follow the procedures laid out in Article 38.2

Importantly, the penalty is to start the race from the pit lane. If you make your change during the pit stop, that's an un-enforcable penalty. Anyone able to model the benefit of reducing ride height at the stops? I wonder what the break-even time is...

didn't mclaren do this at the start of the season? I remember speculation of what some mechanic was doing during a pitstop and a picture of the car later pointing to a screw (of some sort) near the drivers head rest/side pod. I could be wrong, i never followed it any more - in fact i forgot all about it until now....