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F1 News & Discussions => Pit Pass => Topic started by: Jericoke on December 19, 2022, 02:08:27 PM

Title: Wet Race Fenders?
Post by: Jericoke on December 19, 2022, 02:08:27 PM

The FIA is attempting to develop 'arches' (fenders I presume?) to reduce spray during wet races.

https://f1i.com/news/462964-fia-presses-ahead-with-plans-for-wet-weather-wheel-arches.html (https://f1i.com/news/462964-fia-presses-ahead-with-plans-for-wet-weather-wheel-arches.html)

No word if they would attach/detach quickly, or have to be fitted for the entire race before the green flag.

I like the idea, as the danger during a wet race is the visibility from kicked up spray, not the traction (though traction will always be a danger), especially if the teams can remove them during a dry tire change over.

It also gives smaller teams an opportunity to gamble on a design for wet weather races to get some points by designing a car to race with the fenders on.

Title: Re: Wet Race Fenders?
Post by: John S on December 19, 2022, 02:40:59 PM

We call em mudguards in Blighty Jeri.  :D

Guess they'll be a bit like the skinny ones fitted on Caterhams (old Lotus 7), Wizzo can probably tell us how effective they might be.  ;)

Title: Re: Wet Race Fenders?
Post by: cosworth151 on December 19, 2022, 04:22:57 PM

Sounds like a decent idea if it's carried out correctly.

Quote

"We have done a lot of CFD [computer fluid dynamics] simulations, because we want to make sure the effect of these devices is relatively small on the overall aerodynamics," Tombazis said.

I'm sure it won't take long for the aerodynamicists to game that for all it's worth.  ;)