Will the wing vent make much difference this season?

Question

"Jenson Button has shrugged off the controversy surrounding the new McLaren as Formula One hit the track running in typically contentious style. A debate is raging in F1 regarding an innovative aerodynamic concept on the car that has been passed legal, but has had nearly every other team principal and engineering guru mumbling words of discontent. The design employs Lewis Hamilton and Button to close off a vent in the cockpit of their car using their legs, which in turn helps to stall the rear wing for extra straight-line speed."

Answer 1

Obviously McLaren thinks it'll be a factor (and I've read where Ferrari is looking into making something similar) so there must be something to it. McLaren probably have the wind tunnel results to prove it, but unless somebody takes one of those Woking blokes out to the pub and gets him drunk, I doubt we'll ever see those figures.



Both Button and Hamilton complained of lack of down force in Sector 2 (turns 6 through 20) during qualifying for Bahrain so you'd think they could have increased the down force for the turns if they had a way to reduce it for the straights. But then again, McLaren did come in second only to Ferrari at the race. But then again, did McLaren's success come from the questionable diffuser? But then again, that questionable diffuser didn't help Renault one bit.



If it will make a difference McLaren better start exploiting it before the other team's start copying it. Brawn did just that last year with their diffuser until the other teams caught up. When the other teams catch up it won't make any difference.

Answer 2

Incorrect Cube, the F-Vent feeds air to the rear wing only, and not to the diffuser. The 'hole' in the diffuser is in regards to an area cut away in the diffuser for the starter motor. The FIA believe some teams are exploiting this and sculpting the hole for aero benefit, and are going to provide clarification



The vent does make a difference on straights, with an extra 4-5mph added to top speed. It can be worth 2 tenths of a second per lap. However, the McLaren has shown a lack of downforce and balance in comparison to the Ferrari and the Redbull. More downforce and a more settled rear end is needed to close the gap.



As Guy and Win Win said, innovation is good in F1.

Answer 3

I don't know if it is going to make a lot of difference. Mclaren were the fastest through the speed traps almost all weekend however they seem to have some issues with producing down-force. I don't think it makes that much of a difference. I don't have too much of a problem with the vent. The only thing about it that upsets me is that they are supposed to be trying to cut costs and now everybody is going to spend a heap of extra money developing a vent and possibly redesigning the rear wings to suit. Everybody will have one soon and that will negate any advantage Mclaren had. Looking at the abilities of the car I doubt they are going to get any advantage other than a slight advantage over other runners that are close to the same pace as them. Melbourne tends to punish cars that don't have adequate down-force but Malaysia should be good for Mclaren. I really feel that this is a storm in a tea cup.

Answer 4

Innovation & design use to be what F1 was about. Now it is about the cars looking more or less identical. The idea to circumnavigate the rule book use to be what F1 was about. The great days of design & innovation have largely been trashed by the regs. McLaren idea is pretty simple. The other teams could incorporate that design idea in their cars with not much cost. There is no moving parts involved. They have technically followed the rules. Same as Ferrari's wheels. Wheel covers are banned but ferrari have Incorporated quite a clever design in their current front wheels to basically get around the ban on wheel covers. I say bring it on. I want to see innovation & fresh ideas.



Edit:- Will it make much differance? it is hard to tell. Well one thing is for sure it did not today.

Answer 5

In his post-race interview with German TV, Michael Schumacher said that he thought the McLaren vent was responsible for the slight performance gap between them and Mercedes, but not any more than that. He also expected every team to have one by the start of the European season.

Answer 6

I agree with Guy. It's legal. It's called innovation. It's just sour-grapes and bleating from other teams because they didn't think of it first. They'll come round to the "if you can't beat them, join them" mentality before you know it. I don't think it helped much in the race today anyway.

Answer 7

Well, a particular part of the McLaren design is being banned for Australia.



The FIA have banned the extra part of the diffuser which is partially fed by the McLaren F vent. It's built into the diffuser too. Renault too have to re design their diffuser.



They'll be banned for 2011 im sure. Hopefully allowing cars to run closer.