TECH TUESDAY: Winging it – the crucial choice facing ...
Jun 7, 2022 3:57:23 GMT -8
jmjgt likes this
Post by wilmywood8455 on Jun 7, 2022 3:57:23 GMT -8
Mark Hughes explains the set-up dilemma facing Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – and why the competitive pattern might not be as straightforward as expected this weekend.
The Baku track is unique in its extremely conflicted combination of aerodynamic demands. The ‘straight’ (with multiple flat-out kinks) running parallel with the Caspian coastline is 2km long, giving a lot of lap time reward for a low-wing setting.
But the middle sector through the historic old town is Monaco-like in its tightness, demanding maximum downforce settings. In terms of what the layout asks of the wing level, it’s a combination of the two extremes of the calendar: the super low-downforce Monza and super high-downforce Monaco.
The Baku track is unique in its extremely conflicted combination of aerodynamic demands. The ‘straight’ (with multiple flat-out kinks) running parallel with the Caspian coastline is 2km long, giving a lot of lap time reward for a low-wing setting.
But the middle sector through the historic old town is Monaco-like in its tightness, demanding maximum downforce settings. In terms of what the layout asks of the wing level, it’s a combination of the two extremes of the calendar: the super low-downforce Monza and super high-downforce Monaco.
Which means there is not one ‘correct’ wing level here; uniquely, the potential lap time is similar with either low or high-downforce settings. It just gets delivered in a different way. At least, that has been the case historically since the inaugural race here in 2016. It will be interesting to see if that holds true with the new generation of cars, which derive a much greater proportion of their total downforce from the underfloor than previously.
Korean cable TV is lousy. no more NASCAR nor NHRA