ltc

Mass dampers banned, ruled 'aerodynamic devices'....
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/31561/

Interesting stuff, in use since last year, used by various teams on and off, most effectively by Renault, and now all of a sudden, banned.

An aerodynamic device that sees no airflow. Yes, indirectly, it controls a car's (fixed wing) pitch, and therefore could be classified as an aero assisting device, but wouldn't that also be true for a shock absorber/damper?

I think the last 5 races are going to be very interesting.

sweanders

I don't understand how it works, is there anyone with a good expalantion? Does it change the ride height of the car on the front axle as an alternative to angling the wing?

mitch236

What does this mean about use in the past? Or does it just preclude its future use? Can other teams ask to have the Renault disqualified from past races? I think not or else it could go back to last year's championship.

hacker-pschorr

It doesn't really matter what it changes - the FIA found a way to penalize Renault for something in order to help Schumacher catch up and win another championship.

ltc

http://www.formula1.com/race/technic...s/762/311.html

earlyapex

These devices have been used by several teams. I don't think this will significantly impact the points race as the tires are the biggest factor in determining where you will end up at the end of the day.

ltc

Then you'll enjoy this article on Schumacher and Monaco....
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/31565/

ltc

More from the f1 website, along with court verdict/members:
http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4830/764.html

FIA’s original assertion that they infringe the technical regulations, which state that no part influencing the car’s aerodynamic performance may be mobile.

Flying Finn

That's a shame IMO. They had asked FIA (before they started using it) whether it was legal or not. FIA's response was: "Yes". Now after Ferrari protesting against it, answer changed. In principle I think when you come up with something new and if FIA approves, it should remain legal. Same way McLaren's extra brake pedal was protested and taken away few years ago.

In any case, I'm happy F1 is back!

And maybe even more so I'm waiting for Monza to find out whether Schumi will be Kimi's team mate in Ferrari or not.

hacker-pschorr

Cool - I love Jackie Stewart. Hit the nail on the head with that comment.

ltc

From the link:
It is more or less common knowledge that Ferrari has already hired Schumacher’s replacement, Kimi Raikkonen. The only remaining question, then, is: will the two men overlap for a season (or maybe two)? The answer to that question remains a closely guarded Maranello secret. Indeed, it may even be more than that. It may not yet be known by anyone. It may indeed be that Schumacher has yet to make up his mind.

It would appear as though the answer is yes.

924Superwagen

I see it as a suspended weight (skipping "momentum, spring rates acting on the mass" explanation, as I am only theorizing) that conteracts the bounce or minimal damping of the tires effective 'spring rate'. Since a typical damper has no control over the tires, they dampened the body instead. Seems like a hybrid 6 of one, half a dozen of the other and chicken vs egg situation... handling characteristics improved, as a result limiting sudden changes in pitch, improving aero consistency/efficiency.

Flying Finn

I agree it appears so but I tend to think MS quits. In any case, little more than two weeks from now, and we should know for sure whether he quits or not (that's Schumi's deadline for this).

gums

As big a Ferrari fan as I have always been, it's Ferrari that I've been rooting for, certainly not Schumacher. I'm sick of him, never really liked the guy, and would just as soon he move on. It's bad enough that we'll have to live our lives with his name atop every record in the F1 book.

Flying Finn

I'm with you. I can't wait for next year when I can root for my homeboy Kimi & Ferrari all together!