Archive: Formula 1

Leading-Edge Motorsport Technology Since 1990

25th anniversary special • www.racecar-engineering.com

Formula 1 Celebrating 25 years of world class coverage

Damon Hill: how to drive an active suspension car

Wheelbase design The fastest F1 car ever Front torque transfer and why it had to go Regenerative braking Max Mosley on the future of Formula 1

25TH ANNIVERSARY – FORMULA 1 SPECIAL

Quarter century

25 YEARS OF INSIGHT

For the last 25 years, Racecar Engineering has provided leading technical analysis. We take a look back through the Formula 1 highlights

B

ack in 1990, Ian Bamsey decided that there was a gap in the market and he developed a concept that had already been around for a few years in book form. The process of the launch of Racecar Engineering has been widely documented. Here, we present the case that, for a quarter of a century, the magazine has provided some of the best technical analysis and reportage in the world. The magazine is proud to work with quality engineers such as Peter Wright, Simon McBeath and Ricardo Divila, and is also proud to have new talent, such as Gemma Hatton on the team of writers.

We also follow the careers of students who present some amazing theses, and go on to work with teams around the world.

Here, in the first of a series, we look back at some of the Formula 1 features that have run in the magazine, stories that demonstrate the depth of analysis for which the publication has become so well known. The features run in full in a new members area on the website, which also gives access to our archive. www.racecar-engineering.com/members

Active suspension led to the accusation that Formula 1 cars were becoming too easy to drive in 1993. Ian Bamsey interviewed Damon Hill, whose testing skills did much to refine the active Williams. With active suspension, ABS, traction control, intelligent diffs, fly-bywire throttle, Bamsey asked, why have a driver at all?

Back in 1998, in issue Volume 8 Number 9, there were rumours that the McLaren MP4/13 had a regenerative braking system, and that sparked the interest of Australian engineer, John Ballantyne, who set out to investigate how a system could relieve the brakes of some of

their workload. He investigated the possibility of hydraulic pumps in each wheel, although the unsprung weight penalty rendered that to be unviable. He then moved on to lightweight generators. Visit the website to read the full article, and see what his final conclusion was.

Damon Hill was Williams’ test driver in 1992 and was instrumental in developing the Williams FW15C that competed in 1993. Read what it was like to drive the car in our new members area, www.racecar-engineering.com/members

APRIL 2015 www.racecar-engineering.com 29

25TH ANNIVERSARY – FORMULA 1 SPECIAL

The 1998 season saw a fascinating technical battle.

Not only was regenerative braking a rumour, but long and short wheelbase configurations were a reality, and an important performance tool. This concept may not be new but, according to Peter Wright at the time, the 1998 season placed particular

emphasis on this tool. New grooved tyres were introduced, reducing the contact patch with the road, and the regulation width of the cars changed too, meaning all-new designs. Some got it right, some got it wrong. Read Peter’s summary; www. racecar-engineering.com/members

Things don’t always go smoothly behind the scenes at Racecar Engineering and occasionally, on press day, the cover feature has fallen out of bed and the staff are staring at some blank pages and need an idea, quickly. This was the case for Racecar Engineering Volume 16, Number 2. The feature in

which BAR took its ‘067 Lakester’ Formula 1 car to Bonneville and ran it at 413.205kmh, or 265.754mph, filled the gap. Not only does that make it the fastest F1 car in history, but also the fastest cover feature in RCE’s 25 years. Sam Collins managed a concept to delivery time of just 35 minutes.

Back in 1992, Max Mosley was the FIA President and had clear views on the choices that were facing Formula 1 at the time. ‘Either it has to retain its current concept, in which case it must work closely with several motor manufacturers, or it must be devised purely for entertainment,’ he said in an interview with Racecar’s then editor, Quentin Spurring. He also laid out the platform for environmentally friendly racing, or technology that ‘is relevant to the motor industry, or it will go bust.’ Read the interview in full at www.racecar-engineering. com/members

Barred! Well, that was the cover line of Racecar Volume 15 Number 1, which featured BAR’s front torque transfer system, and the reasons why it had to go

30 www.racecar-engineering.com APRIL 2015

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Leading-Edge Motorsport Technology Since 1990

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Volume 23

Leading-Edge Motorsport Technology Since 1990

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Volume 24

July 2013 • Vol 23 No 7 • www.racecar-engineering.com • UK £5.50 • US $13.50

Porsche 911 RSR

June 2014 • Vol 24 No 6 • www.racecar-engineering.com • UK £5.95 • US $14.50

tackles the GT world

9 770961 109104

Toyota TS040

06

Caterham CT05 Toyota TS040 Empire Wraith

Fuels revolution Porsche 911 RSR Aston Martin Rapide S

Tried, tested… and ready to win Le Mans?

June 2014

Audi’s V6 engine

Fuels of the future

Hydrogen-powered Rapide completes Nürburgring 24

Open-source data of the R18 Le Mans powerplant

A sustainable solution to the fossil fuel dilemma?

RCE Cover July.indd 1

9 770961 109098

07

July 2013

PRINT Aston Martin

Caterham CT05

Empire Wraith

Citroën C-Elysée

British team drinking in the last chance saloon

Formula 1 aero technology meets latest hillclimber

French newcomer on the World Touring Car scene

RCE June Cover ACSG.indd 1

DIGIT AL 17/04/2014 12:29

22/05/2013 11:33

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NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT & DIGITAL EDITIONS SPECIAL SAVINGS WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE Racecar Engineering

Leading-Edge Motorsport Technology Since 1990

7 Racecar Engineering

Volume 23

Leading-Edge Motorsport Technology Since 1990

6

Volume 24

July 2013 • Vol 23 No 7 • www.racecar-engineering.com • UK £5.50 • US $13.50

Porsche 911 RSR

June 2014 • Vol 24 No 6 • www.racecar-engineering.com • UK £5.95 • US $14.50

tackles the GT world

9 770961 109104

Toyota TS040

06

Caterham CT05 Toyota TS040 Empire Wraith

Fuels revolution Porsche 911 RSR Aston Martin Rapide S

Tried, tested… and ready to win Le Mans?

June 2014

Audi’s V6 engine

Fuels of the future

Hydrogen-powered Rapide completes Nürburgring 24

Open-source data of the R18 Le Mans powerplant

A sustainable solution to the fossil fuel dilemma?

RCE Cover July.indd 1

9 770961 109098

07

July 2013

PRINT Aston Martin

Caterham CT05

Empire Wraith

Citroën C-Elysée

British team drinking in the last chance saloon

Formula 1 aero technology meets latest hillclimber

French newcomer on the World Touring Car scene

RCE June Cover ACSG.indd 1

DIGIT AL 17/04/2014 12:29

22/05/2013 11:33

■ NEVER MISS AN ISSUE

■

READ ON YOUR IPAD, KINDLE OR ANDROID DEVICE

■ GET IT BEFORE IT HITS THE SHOPS

■

ACCESS YOUR ARCHIVE AT THE CLICK OF A BUTTON

■ KEEP AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION

■

ENHANCED DIGITAL CONTENT COMING SOON

Special Subscription Rates: 1 year (12 issues) Print UK £44.95 US $99.95 ROW £64.95

Digital (usually £71.40 – SAVING 37%) (usually $162 – SAVING 38%) (usually £99 – SAVING 35%)

UK £34.99 US $49.99 ROW £34.99

(SAVING 51% off the cover price) (SAVING 70% off the cover price) (SAVING 65% off the cover price)

+44 (0)1795 419 837 quote N407 www.chelseamagazines.com/racecar-N407D

(for digital)

REF: N407

www.chelseamagazines.com/racecar-N407