2009 Rule Changes

[Nasadus]

Actually, now that is see the complete package of a 2009 spec car i find it looks pretty slick.
The first photos of the rear wing looked awkward on a 2008 car but on a 2009 car it fits really well. Just picture the car on slicks and you have a full 2009 spec car.

 

[mu22stang]

I know the winglets, protrusions, etc. are banned next year, but these side wings look pretty large and smooth and transition. Is it safe to assume those are here to stay?

 

[TheCracker]

Actually, now that is see the complete package of a 2009 spec car i find it looks pretty slick.
The first photos of the rear wing looked awkward on a 2008 car but on a 2009 car it fits really well. Just picture the car on slicks and you have a full 2009 spec car.

I know the winglets, protrusions, etc. are banned next year, but these side wings look pretty large and smooth and transition. Is it safe to assume those are here to stay?

I don't think this is the full 2009 car. The car was the FW30 (last years car) with '09's front and rear wings.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I don't think this is the full 2009 car. The car was the FW30 (last years car) with '09's front and rear wings.

That is correct. On a side note, does anyone have an idea why Williams are running those tyres?

 

[TheCracker]

That is correct. On a side note, does anyone have an idea why Williams are running those tyres?

Probably because it was just a straightline test, a shakedown really, before next week's Barcelona tests.

 

[Metar]

It still looks comically out of proportion. The front wing looks decent (though their width and position will likely make them prime targets for even more nosecone replacements, especially at Williams ), even if slightly big, but the rear one should be at least 50% wider to match. Still, the front is not-quite-that-bad. I'm waiting to see how it works with the antique sidepods, though - this year, they reached records in terms of slimness, and next year is going to be all bulged and round.

Nasadus, the issue isn't downforce per se, but rather the wake generated by the rear end (diffuser + rear wing) affecting the front wings. Here's why next year's cars will be better in traffic: With a higher, narrower rear wing and a more rearward-biased diffuser, they will be de-coupled - the diffuser slows air down and the rear wing produces inwash that cleans the wake, but when both work together (as they did in recent years), the act as one huge diffuser creating a bigger upwash (which is a bad thing) than both would produce when separate. At the same time, the middle section of the front wing is a neutral surface - meaning, straight and no downforce produced - and located just where the upwash and dirty air is worse. That means less downforce in clean air, but less downforce to lose when in dirty air. That's why the wings are wider - to still allow some downforce-generating surfaces. Just reducing downforce isn't useful - that's what the last couple of rulechanges tried to do and failed.

Also, in a week we'll see some more '09-hybrids, including the Ferrari 2008K, as they call their winter car - according to F1live, Badoer will shake it down this week, and it will be capable of simulating KERS-weight using ballast, and integrate the eventual KERS system.

 

[TheCracker]

I'm waiting to see how it works with the antique sidepods, though - this year, they reached records in terms of slimness, and next year is going to be all bulged and round.

I didn't think sidepods were down to be changed this year? - i thought it was just all the winglets and flaps attached to them that were banned?

 

[Metar]

I didn't think sidepods were down to be changed this year? - i thought it was just all the winglets and flaps that were banned?

Pretty much everything on the cars gets changed for '09. Sidepods are a major one - according to the rules, they have a minimum radius (a rather big one, at that) and a tangent continuous curve requirement, so it's very limited as far as shape and size are concerned. Plus, without chimneys, sidepod-shields or even cooling-gills (!!!), cooling will be a major issue for 2009.


Also, a series of renders of a very accurate 2009-legal car, the only errors spotted so far by the F1Technical guys being lack of a support for the rear wing.

 

[TheCracker]

Ah, ok. Thanks for clearing that up 👍

The 2009 cars are beginning to look quite nice if those renders are anything to go by.

 

[Alex.]

Ignore, pic was already posted.

 

[Alex.]

Not sure if I should be showing all of you, not sure if it's a secret or something. A source sent me it.

 

[Metar]

Do you mind asking said source if he can send us some more?

Must be first parts on this little baby, and I'm anxious to see more of it:

Ferrari test car called F2008K


Badoer charged with the initial tests
Ferrari's winter test car, based on the 2008 car, will be designated 'F2008K'.

It is believed the 'K' is a reference to the incoming KERS for 2009.

According to sources, the F2008K will be able to run in several key specifications; ranging from using ballast to simulate the weight of the energy-recovery technology, to eventually a fully operational KERS.

The car is set to make its imminent debut at Ferrari's own local test circuit Fiorano, and also in Luca Badoer's hands in Barcelona next week.

EDIT: Found the car in higher resolution. Looks like the regular F2008 without T-wings and bargeboards, so far.

 

[Alex.]

Yup, no need for more pics now Looks really nice though. I also really like the look of that williams

 

[Bram Turismo]

That rear wing also seems modified on the Ferrari.

I found the new spec gorgeous looking, I love 'em even more right now. The last thing I'm hoping for, and praying, is no dominant teams like the big two this year 👍

 

[Ross!]

The pictures I've seen have put my mind at ease about the look of the cars, they look nice.

I geniunely have no idea about how they will effect the grid, I am actually doubting Ferrari and McLaren will be winning races - that's how unsure I am.

 

[Stevisiov]

I'm hoping for, and praying, is no dominant teams like the big two this year 👍

Well that's most likely what your going to see. Many people seem to be thinking that these rule changes are going make everything closer, the racing perhaps due to improved overtaking posablities but these rule-changes aren't likely to level the playing field. There's a good chance that this years competetive two wont be on top next year but that doesn't mean the new top two won't be in a league of their own. These changes are more likely to spread the teams out more according who developed the best car according to the rule changes.

 

[Metar]

There's some foil on the rear wing supports - perhaps cooling? - but the wing itself looks similar to the ones they used so far. The exhausts and rear section seem more exposed (and when not, painted black), but that sidepod is just so sexy that it's unbelievable - I don't think I've seen them quite that bare, and perhaps it's because the wheelbase appears longer than usual?

And yes, new regs always spread the field. After 4 years of essentially-unchanged regs, most of the field got to within a second of the leaders. Time to change, buddies.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Also, I'm praying we'll never see those sharkfins again. Ever. When I see the engine cover of the Ferrari, it just becomes oh so clear how theose sharkfins raped the looks of an F1 car this season.

On the mix of the field: Toyota vs. Honda?

 

[Metar]

They're still legal, teams just aren't sure if the gains still stand with the higher rear wings.

I rather like some of the implementations..

 

[Ardius]

Also, I'm praying we'll never see those sharkfins again. Ever. When I see the engine cover of the Ferrari, it just becomes oh so clear how theose sharkfins raped the looks of an F1 car this season.

On the mix of the field: Toyota vs. Honda?

I reckon BMW Sauber vs. Honda.
Toyota aren't starting with a KERS system next year, so that doesn't bode well for their season.

 

[wrcsti]

Found some more pics of a 2009 car

Oh wait...


On a side note, From my understanding BMW is supposed to have started work for 2009 in canada when they halted the 2008 project. If that is true and 100% has been going for 2009 they should have a clear advantage first couple of races.

 

[Ardius]

On a side note, From my understanding BMW is supposed to have started work for 2009 in canada when they halted the 2008 project. If that is true and 100% has been going for 2009 they should have a clear advantage first couple of races.

You mean like Honda and Force India have? Its up in the air which team will come on top, though these three are like to rise up the field from where they currently are.

 

[wrcsti]

Yeah, just didn't have any specific figures about other teams so I sticked to BMW.

 

[Ardius]

Yeah, just didn't have any specific figures about other teams so I sticked to BMW.

Both Honda and Force India claimed at the start of the season that they were focusing on 2009 not this year, though both did develop the 2008 car a little bit (Force India more than Honda), I wouldn't be surprised if this is true.

 

[Alex.]

I've just realised how many broken front wings we are going to have next season

 

[Vaxen]

Found some more pics of a 2009 car

Oh wait...

I was thinking the same thing.

Although there was some good competitive racing in Champ Car's last season.

 

[Metar]

A rear view on the Williams FW30.5:

Note the new diffuser, modified since the original one at the start of this thread. From the rear, the rear wing looks decent but the front wing sticks out "in a wrong way". It's the opposite from the front...

 

[Sureboss]

You can see a big difference in change of tyre size at the rear.

 

[Metar]

Slicks will remain at the same sizes next year.

That looks like an Intermediate (or Demo?) tyre, and it doesn't look that different to 2008 tyres.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Testing is under way in Barcelona. Only BMW have whipped out the 2009 aero so far, it reminds me of the ol' walrus nosed Williams.

EDIT: some more of the sidepod and rear wing.