F1 Technical on Oppo - 2014 Regulation Changes

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork) 11/24/2013 at 16:50 • Filed to: F1 Technical on Oppo, 2014 Regulations, Formula 1, OppositeLock

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Technical innovation is what makes Formula 1 so different from any other form of racing. The on track action is as much played out by the engineers and aerodynamicists as it is the drivers. We are here to admire, study, and discuss this beauty that exists on the ragged edge of what we think is possible, or at least what we thought was possible.

Discussions and questions are welcomed and encouraged in the comments section below.

2014 Regulation Changes

In 2014 a number of regulations, some major and some minor, will transform the look and feel of next year's batch of F1 chassis. Keep in mind that these are just a few expected solutions to the new regulations and will not in literally reflect what will actually be unveiled after the new year.

Font Wing Width

2013

2014

In 2014, the front wing width will be reduced by 150 mm and will make it more difficult for the aerodynamicists to create front-end downforce and simultaneously sculpt the air around the tires to reduce drag.

Nose Height (Bulkhead)

2013

2014

In 2014, the front bulkhead (nose height in line with the suspension) will be reduced by 100 mm. This reduction in height could make pull-rod suspension more viable as the push-rod style suspension will have to angle flatter, but most likely most of the teams will stick with the push-rod style suspension as there is more positive angle to play with than negative on the pull-rod style.

2013/2014 Comparison

That's only 10 cm, people, and it looks massive.

Nose Height (Crash Structure)

2013

2014

In 2014 the nose height of the crash structure will be reduced, and finally the stepped noses will be gone, as the FIA have regulated and angled line limit rather than two separate heights for two separate locations. However, a skirt of the regulations could produce a different nose that is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . However, vanity panels are still allowed, so cross your fingers.

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Driver Position

2013

2014

Due to the change in nose height, the driver's position within the monocoque will naturally be altered as the driver's legs are contained within the nose.

Camera Position

2013

2014

In 2014, the FOM cameras will be set between a certain height on the chassis. The tear-dropped shaped cameras are not supposed to provide any aerodynamic effect, but the teams have worked out that they do provide some change in the airflow and have moved them everywhere from underneath the nose to the very tip in an attempt to find speed.

Cooling

2013

2013

The new engine changes (see below) will require more cooling, and thus the sidepod ducts will have to be larger in order to accommodate this airflow.

Exhaust Positioning

2013

2014

The Coanda exhaust layout is gone in 2014 due to a mandated repositioning of the exhaust and the bodywork will return to a simpler coke-bottle design. Teams will end up !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! since the hot, controlled flow of exhaust will not be able to mange tire squirt.

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Engine/Power System

2014

A new power system comprised of a 1.6 Liter Turbo V6 with direct injection, a fuel flow limit, and 15,000 rev limit will be introduced in 2014. Along with the new engines, a increased capacity Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that draws kinetic energy from braking along with Turbo Harvesting.

The fuel tank is limited to just 100kg in addition to it being limited in its flow to the engine. The exhaust outlet position is also set to avoid any aerodynamic benefit.

2013

2014

New new exhaust outlet can be seen in 2014 compared to the heat outlet currently utilized in 2013

Rear Wing

2013

2014

The beam wing is gone; this mean that the main wing will have to be supported in other ways and could be supported by vertical struts as seen below.

Space for a Y75 winglet, more commonly known as the 'monkey seat', is still available, although it's not shown

2014

Along with everything mentioned, the 2014 Formula 1 chassis will also be equipped with 8 forward gears that will be fixed for the season and the chassis must have a minimum weight of 690 Kg.

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desertdog5051 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 17:10

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Great series you are doing Fractal. Love it. That nose is really different. Reminds me of Indy Car.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 17:11

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Say if a team puts a monkey seat here, could we see a return to a blown wing?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 11/21/2013 at 17:21

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I'm a bit confused by the regulations because technically no bodywork is allowed behind plane of the exhaust exit, but I'm not sure to what degree

No bodywork behind the tail pipe axis

I suppose they could 'Coanda' the exhaust with the monkey seat, but I'm not sure how that would help. I don't think it would be able to reach the underside of the rear wing with the mass and velocity of air in between.

His Stigness > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 17:21

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I'm not a fan of the new (potential) nose, it's too extreme in its downward slope. This is as far as I like it to go:

I'd rather they just evolve the duckbill nose instead of going to super sloped and narrow noses.

nobody > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 18:14

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Another interpretation of the nose regulations yields this.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > nobody 11/21/2013 at 18:31

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The vanity panel is still an option, but yes I've heard there is some weird interpretation and designers, such as Adrian Newey himself, said the 2014 will be unattractive.

Let's all cross our fingers...

Carbyne > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/21/2013 at 20:18

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Is it possible for an angled exhaust in the rules? I am just wondering if there is any possibility to play around with exhaust gases besides the monkey seat.

flat6 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/26/2013 at 21:33

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2014 regulations have also mandated that during the race, all monkey seats must be occupied by a monkey weighing no less than 6kg. The monkey seat may, however, remain unoccupied during qualifying. Also he has to wear a little monkey helmet.

d3v > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 01:24

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I've been wondering, with the new turbo engines, wouldn't it be possible to do away with the big airbox on top to allow for smoother airflow to the rear wing?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > d3v 11/27/2013 at 01:52

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Possibly, but let's consider a few things first.

Mercedes tried this in 201o at Spain with the W01, but then reverted back to the standard design held by the rest of the grid, for one advantage or another.

Also, the airbox may be a standard supplied part in 2014, as part of the overall 'power unit', but I am not sure about this.

quattrofl > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 02:08

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DAT exhaust will provide us flames. Huge ones. Me likey.

d3v > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 03:44

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But even the W01's Spain airbox isn't exactly as clean as some of the other airbox-less designs from the 80s. I'm thinking about what if they have nothing but a carbon fibre roll hoop up there providing clean air towards the wings.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 08:41

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Not nearly enough elements here.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 08:42

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Oh good. My feet always go to sleep when I drive my F1 car.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 08:44

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Aaron Short - PROUD OF LEYLAND > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 09:37

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I think a problem with this style is the roll structure digs into the grass and gravel when the car is upside down..

But seeing real runoff no longer exsists its probably not that bad of a idea

StoneColdSteveUrkel > d3v 11/27/2013 at 10:04

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I wondered about this too when the turbo engines were announced. I love the air box over the cockpit but it would be cool to see the sleek look of the 80's turbo cars come back….

guidon > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 11:12

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Yeah, Bernie is always trying to keep costs down for Formula 1 teams. I'm a huge F1 fan but I'm disappointed with the trend to ever smaller displacement engines, forced induction, degradation by design tires, and needless gimmicky 'green' technology. I know many will argue Formula 1 is precisely the place for such green technology but I disagree. In what is supposed to be the premier road racing venue in the world I'd rather see larger displacement V8 or V12 naturally aspirated engines versus some turbo-charged V6. IMO the benefit of the heavy, gimmicky KERS system is questionable at best. The degradation by design tires have too much emphasis deciding the outcome of races. I understand the constructor aspect of F1 but feel the huge emphasis on green technology is diluting the pure racing aspect of the sport. There's a place for green racing I just wish it wasn't Formula 1.

Mikeado > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/27/2013 at 12:18

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So for the most part they'll look like Brawn GP cars. I'm OK with this.

TurboSloth > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 01/19/2014 at 13:03

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Thank god, they're getting rid of stepped noses.

dmcspeedy > TurboSloth 01/19/2014 at 16:27

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It was only an interim stage between the 2012 regs and the full lowered-nose 2014 regs. 2013 lowered the nose height but not the front bulkhead, leading to the step.

dmcspeedy > flat6 01/19/2014 at 16:28

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Newey is teaching the RB monkeys to hold a pose that will generate up to 30kg of downforce.

guidon > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 01/20/2014 at 11:14

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Although Formula 1 often mentions the goal of reducing costs for teams (such as limiting practice sessions) making less well-funded teams better able to compete, the ongoing, major changes imposed put a huge financial burden on the teams. I understand the constructor's aspect of Formula 1 but I'm frequently disappointed with what's done. I dislike the 'degradation by design' tires. Notwithstanding potential safety issues, I feel these tires play a needlessly disproportionate role in determining the outcome of a race. Despite the 'hipness' of cramming everything green down our throats, I dislike the trend to ever smaller displacement engines, the switch to forced induction along with all the needless, gimmicky, green technology (the smaller, forced induction engines sound absolutely anemic compared to the naturally aspirated engines of yesteryear). I'm not opposed to smaller engines, forced induction or green technology but I'd rather not see this trend in F1. For me, Formula 1 is about racing.....the best drivers racing the fastest road course cars on the best road courses in the world. I'd rather Formula 1 lessen its emphasis on going green and re-focus on 'pure' racing. I don't care if a race car switches to an electric motor on the pit lane. I don't want to see hybrid power or all-electric powered cars in Formula 1 (which I fear is where Formula 1 is going). There's a place for 'green' racing I'm just sorry to see it's Formula 1.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > guidon 01/20/2014 at 13:29

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Sometimes I feel that they forget who actually watches the races and try to sell the sport to Prius drivers who don't care about racing in the least sense.