Sauber C30 Launch

[SaberFire]

Is it just me, or does this adjustable rear wing just look flat out dangerous? I can't imagine that sudden change in rear downforce would do terrible wonders for rear-end grip. Plus, if the system fails, even if the wing goes back to the default position, if the arm that moves it up and down has no more resistance, what's to stop it flapping about if wind gets underneath the gap and pushes it up?

 

[spyrrari]

Is it just me, or does this adjustable rear wing just look flat out dangerous? I can't imagine that sudden change in rear downforce would do terrible wonders for rear-end grip. Plus, if the system fails, even if the wing goes back to the default position, if the arm that moves it up and down has no more resistance, what's to stop it flapping about if wind gets underneath the gap and pushes it up?

Hmm,well we just have to wait and see how safe this new thing will be...especially on bumpy tracks or after a light touch from an other car on the rear wing itself...

I don't think the wind will ever get a chance to get underneath it,because even in horizontal position the movable wing will produce downforce as the shape of it is still an upside down airplane wing...

It will be very interesting to watch how the drivers are going to adapt to the changes the wing will create in handling,especially when it doesn't work properly or if it has a fault(think about the wing suddenly changing mid corner etc etc...).



spy.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I can't imagine that sudden change in rear downforce would do terrible wonders for rear-end grip.

That's the entire point. The ARW works on the same principle as the F-duct - it cancels all the downforce on the rear wing to allow the car to develop more speed. It automatically closes the moment the driver brakes.

what's to stop it flapping about if wind gets underneath the gap and pushes it up?

Physics. As the car travels at speed, the air flowing over the car will automatically push the wing down. The only way the ARW could be opened by wind is if a) the wind is moving faster than the car, and b) if it is strong enough to lift a piece of carbon fibre like that. Given that the cars regularly travel at 300km/h, the only way these conditions will be met would be if the race was held in the middle of a tropical cyclone. And if that happens, I'd say the drivers have bigger problems to worry about than the ARW opening unexpectedly.

 

[SaberFire]

As a moving part though, I'm going to hazard a guess it's not as structurally rigid and as strong as a bog standard rear wing.

Call me paranoid, but moving aero has always seemed a bit iffy to me. As a replacement for the F-duct, I just don't get it. The F-duct was a genuine innovation. This is just a cheap trick.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Sergio Perez did a demonstration run of the Sauber C29 in a C30 livery in Guadalajara overnight. Some photos from the event show some minor livery changes:

It's not perfect, but at least the team have removed the acres of white space. I have no idea what the bulldog logo is; that's usually the Sauber One Club, the umbrella corporation for sponsors who want to be involved in Formula 1, but don't want the massive exposure of sponsorship. And the car could probably do with some racing numbers. That should be written into the rules: all teams must have their racing numbers clearly-visible. There is a rule that says a number must appear on the front of the car, but Force India have started a trend of putting that number in the gap between the front wing uprights because the space is too small for a sponsor logo to go and to put the number elsewhere would fill in space that could be better-spent housing a sponsor logo. Clearly-visiblt numbers on the rear wing - like McLaren and mercedes do - should be compulsory. Or at least on the vertical fins in front of the sidepods like Renault and Red Bull and Virgin.

 

[astrosdude91]

It looks like Perez brought a lot of money to Sauber. Quite a few Mexican sponsors on that car.

 

[Northstar]

It looks like Perez brought a lot of money to Sauber. Quite a few Mexican sponsors on that car.

They're all under the same corporate umbrella.

Link

 

[F1 fan]

It looks like Perez brought a lot of money to Sauber. Quite a few Mexican sponsors on that car.

Frankly, I'm surprised that more Japanese companies aren't sponsoring the team. Especially after Kamui's showing at Suzuka. He's easily one of the most exciting drivers on the grid and Japan as a nation has a lot to be excited about. Given a decent car, I believe he would definately be capable of winning.

 

[PeterJB]

Kamui said in an interview that Japanese companies are worried that in this economy they may make large investments in Formula 1 and lose tonnes of money.

 

[F1 fan]

Kamui said in an interview that Japanese companies are worried that in this economy they may make large investments in Formula 1 and lose tonnes of money.

I read that one... Still surprises me though. I can understand that companies might not want to be seen "throwing away their money" on sponsorship, but when a driver like Sakon Yamamoto has such enviable sponsorship, it can be surprising.

 

[Ardius]

Yamamoto has family-related backing, Kobayashi only ever had Toyota support, just like many Japanese drivers. The Japanese car manufacturers are very good at supporting young driver programmes in Japan. The downside of this is that most Japanese drivers inevitably end up as "pay drivers" as they get their chances in Europe based on engine deals with said manufacturers. This is pretty much the only way for Japanese drivers to pay their way in Europe, as its obviously quite expensive to move all that way and run in the highly competitive series like British F3, Formula Renault, Formula Ford, etc. Its difficult to convince Japanese sponsors the value of that. Its exactly the same problem that US and Australian drivers face, they can't get local sponsors on board because the marketing value isn't that great when its not your local market. But the most competitive motorsports area on the planet in junior formula is Europe.

Now that Toyota no longer takes part and has little to no motorsport budget, its not surprising they don't pay for Kamui's seat. Having said that, Toyota UK are funding the development of Toyota NGTC Turbo engines for the BTCC but that is probably a local budget decision.

Japanese (or US and Australian) drivers have better chances of convincing Italian or German sponsors to come on board than they do their own country's businesses.

 

[Hun200kmh]

You are right on Ardius, but I do share some surprise from no japanese sponsors. KK is no more a young guy trying to get noticed in British F3, he is already a world wide known Formula 1 driver, and many japanese companies (not only car manufacturers) are global and act globally. Wouldn't Kamui be a good advertiser for them?

Anyway, gladly he didn't need that to secure his seat for this year

 

[SaberFire]

I still think the car looks like arse :[

 

[Ardius]

You are right on Ardius, but I do share some surprise from no japanese sponsors. KK is no more a young guy trying to get noticed in British F3, he is already a world wide known Formula 1 driver, and many japanese companies (not only car manufacturers) are global and act globally. Wouldn't Kamui be a good advertiser for them?

Anyway, gladly he didn't need that to secure his seat for this year

I was just explaining why Japanese drivers don't have more national sponsors which follow them up to F1 from their junior formula.
Sure, now he's on the international stage, it should in theory be easier, but he has to build up the relationships from nothing. Unlike someone who will have sponsors follow him all the way. Combine it with the fact he's probably used to relying on Toyota backing, and so probably hasn't done the same amount of sponsor-searching other drivers/managers may have.

Not to mention that these companies have to be willing to be put on a car which doesn't always recieve much TV time, kamikaze overtakes or not, Sauber also need to deliver the car.