Universal development of the year

[Michiba]

What are peoples opinions on what would be the best universal development of the year, ie, one that most/all teams would be able to benefit from?

I'm thinking along the lines of RBR's shark fin, Ferrari's wheel rim shields, and perhaps to a lesser extent, BMW's sidepod extensions and Macca's bridge wing, just as a few examples

I don't have any aero knowledge, but I'd be interested to know what aero people think would be the development that has the most impact (in terms of it's universal application)

[scarbs]

They are all good devleopments but probably gain less a few hundredth of a second per lap to the car. I'd say the inerter (J damper)is the key devleopment as its worth 0.2 - 0.3s per lap. Most teams only got theirs this year, so we can still claim its new innovation.

McLaren (since 05)
Williams (since 06)
Ferrari (since Monza 07, revised at Hungary)

Renault (since Barca 08)
Red Bull - Toro Rosso (since Turkey 08)
BMW Sauber - (Atleast since Silverstone 08 probably before)
Force India (since Silverstone 08)
Honda (looks like the rear one appeared at Hungary)

Toyota (unknown if and since when they have run one)

[zac510]

scarbs, I agree, it's the only real significant thing we've seen for a while. The nose cone hole could be a significant development if it increased the efficiency in a way that led Ferrari to use it at every race, but it hasn't. So it's merely an option.

If you think Williams had it in 2006 (did they race it?), do you think Webber knew about it? Didn't 'take' it to new team.

[timbo]

Williams (since 06)

I wonder how bad Williams chassis are as they struggled in the mid-field having technology that yields 0.2-0.3 seconds...

[bar555]

Are there any good pictures of J-damper because i could not find any especially from Williams , Mc Laren & Renault

Thanks for any help

[scarbs]

If you think Williams had it in 2006 (did they race it?), do you think Webber knew about it? Didn't 'take' it to new team.

Sam Michael told me Williams have raced it for two seasons, I guess Webber knew about it, But I'd imagine Newey was the man who brought it to RBT as he still at Mac when the idea was first brought up and tested.

BAR555
Pictures of the Interters are hard to come by, I have seen the Ferrari rear one and the Red Bull front one, sadly they tend to be tucked away and rarely do photographers bother trying to get those sorts of shots.