Entry 5 - Axial symmetry in F1 cars

-

Unlike other motorsport categories such as IndyCar or Nascar, Formula One has always use to have symmetrical cars. The reason for it is quite simple: all the tracks where teams race have a similiar number of righ-hand and left-hand corners, so it is not worthwhile to build an assymetrical car.


Nonetheless, throughout the years, there have been exceptions which that have proven the rule. Here are some examples:


LOTUS E22 (2014)


With the beginning of the hybrid era, several teams came up with infamous designs in the front end of their cars and Lotus' "twin-tusk" nose was definitely one of the most bizarre.
This asymmetrical concept didn't live up to the expectations, since the Enstone-based team went from achieving 315 points, 14 podiums and 1 victory in 2013 to obtain 10 paltry points in 2014.


MCLAREN MP4-23 (2008)


McLaren used for the first time this asymmetric sidepod layout in the German GP, halfway through the 2008 season. The aim of this modification was to improve the direction of air flow around the car and thus gaining downforce. Its main downside was that it hampered engine cooling, so it could only be used in low temperature conditions.


MCLAREN MP4-25 (2010)


The Woking-based team opted for an asymmetrical design once again for the 2010 season, albeit this time it had to do with the exhaust system of the car.


MERCEDES W196 (1954)


Last but not least, we have the one of the most stunning F1 cars of all time: the Mercedes W196. This car had the particularity of having two versions, the Type Monza (with fairing) and the Monoposto (without fairing), both of them were asymmetrical.

Comentarios

Publicar un comentario

Entradas populares de este blog

Entry 3 - Plane geometry in F1 steering wheels

-
Imagen
F1 steering wheels have come a long way, especially since the beginning of this century. Let's take a look at them! During the first 40 years, they kept it simple. Steering wheels were basically wooden or padded circunferences with three metal radius which converge on the central point. Towards the end of the 1990s, Ferrari revolutionised the design of steering wheels by adding rectangular paddle shifters and displays which gave drivers shift lights, lap times and much more information. Furthermore, they added plenty of circular and hexagonal buttons on the wheel with different functions: team radio, break balance, gearbox neutral position, etc.  If you want to see these shapes in better detail, click on the  3D version Once the 2010s arrived, steering wheels were no longer circular and grip kept on improving. Additionally, shift lights became circular and smaller: can you spot them? Here's the solution Eventually, with the arrival of hybrid engines in 2014, rectangular display
Leer más

Entry 10 - Perimeters & areas of F1 teams' motorhomes

-
Imagen
Not only do F1 teams compete inside the track, but also outside it. As a case in point, they challenge each other to see which team builds the most magnificent and welcoming motorhome in the paddock.  As attractiveness is commonly associated with sight, let's take a look at the facades of some of these motorhomes while calculating their perimeters and areas. ASTON MARTIN MOTORHOME Aston Martin motorhome for the 2021 season. Calculate the perimeter and area of its facade. FERRARI 90 YEARS MOTORHOME The Ferrari motorhome for the 2019 Italian GP. How many Ferrari legends can you recognise in this poster? Calculate the perimeter and area of its facade.
Leer más

Entry 1 - Plane geometry in F1 team logos

-
Imagen
Geometry is here, there and everywhere... and the sophisticated world of Formula 1 is no exception.  Let's start from the basics and see how many plane shapes can you spot in the logos of the 10 teams which take part in the 2021 F1 championship.  ALFA ROMEO In the logo of this legendary Italian team there are two perpendicular lines, a big circunference & small-sized circles. Can you see them? Tell us their colours to prove it. ALPHA TAURI In the logo of Red Bull's sister team we can see a circunference... ALPINE In the logo of Fernando Alonso's new team we can find concurrent lines, as well as a transversal one, a paralelogram and an isosceles triangle. Can you identify them? Are there any perpendicular lines? ASTON MARTIN In the logo of this luxurious British car brand, very well-known for the James Bond saga, we can spot a rectangle and several concurrent lines. Among them, are there any perpendicular? Use your protractor again to prove it. FERRARI The world's mo
Leer más