A1 Racing boosters on F1 Cars

[Irishsnake]

what do u's think would it not be good so that faster drivers can gets past slower cars full with fuel etc as although i think there is more passing this year i dont think the cars aerodyminics are allowing passing as much this year as we where promised

[<T-K>]

what do u's think would it not be good so that faster drivers can gets past slower cars full with fuel etc as although i think there is more passing this year i dont think the cars aerodyminics are allowing passing as much this year as we where promised

First of all

Secondly.....I wouldnt mind it, but I can tell you exactly what Mad Max would say.."We are trying to keep the speeds in F1 down, and installing these power boosts would only increase the danger of the sport....hold on....lets take away wings while we are at this".................(How do you like my Max impression... )

[Julian Mayo]

what do u's think would it not be good so that faster drivers can gets past slower cars full with fuel etc as although i think there is more passing this year i dont think the cars aerodyminics are allowing passing as much this year as we where promised

[rah]

I think the boost button would only work when you have a control engine, otherwise how do you govern it.

[GhoGho]

I think the boost button would only work when you have a control engine, otherwise how do you govern it.

In one of the series in the USA they use a boost feature which is controlled by a total time which it can be used (say 60 seconds) per race.
Telemetry allows the organizers to control/check its use.
When you have used your allocation then you are SOL. (at least i think thats how it works!)
Maybe Mlittle or one of the other knowledgeable folks who follow the series more closely can fill us in on the exact details.

[mlittle]

I think the boost button would only work when you have a control engine, otherwise how do you govern it.

In one of the series in the USA they use a boost feature which is controlled by a total time which it can be used (say 60 seconds) per race.
Telemetry allows the organizers to control/check its use.
When you have used your allocation then you are SOL. (at least i think thats how it works!)
Maybe Mlittle or one of the other knowledgeable folks who follow the series more closely can fill us in on the exact details.

GhoGho, the boost function you're referring to is something the Champ Car World Series calls "power-to-pass"(a/k/a "boost"), which they've had since 2004 as part of the XFE-2 engine that Ford-Cosworth produces for the series. Normally, the XFE-2 runs @ 750 hp w/a turbo boost of 39.5-45 psi(the XFE-2 is a 2.65L turbo V8 ). Push the "boost" button on the steering wheel, and the engine will put out an extra 50 hp(the boost function has a limit of anywhere from 60-90 sec. depending on the track).

Next year, if I'm not mistaken, when Champ Car begins using the new FC XFE-3 engine, the boost function will add 75 hp to the engine(going from 800 hp total up to 825 hp).

This should answer your question.

[cmlean]

With the current F1 engine already on the limit of reliability, we would see even more engines letting go. The WDC would be the one who resisted using the boost button for the season.

[Ed]

A regulated boost button would be useful when you have identical engines. That isn't currently the case in F1 as engine outputs may vary by 100 HP or even more.
With the long life engine, we already have self controlled boost function as the teams cannot afford to run their engines at full revs all the time, the choose the times when the driver can use full revs which is usually on the fast lap in qualifying and at certain points of a race when the driver needs to push or try to overtake.

As engines become more restiricted (rev limits, engine development freeze) a boost button function may become feasible

[Julian Mayo]

Then we will have "F1ndychamp" racing

[Bundy]

Don't know if i would be a big fan of the boost. Whilst we may see MORE passing, it takes the skill away from it.

I would much prefer to see other methods used to increase passing without taking away the skill factor.

[Julian Mayo]

Don't know if i would be a big fan of the boost. Whilst we may see MORE passing, it takes the skill away from it.

I would much prefer to see other methods used to increase passing without taking away the skill factor.

Steel brakes ?

[Bundy]

less downforce - too hard to regulate. Teams would find a way around this too easily
more weight } any increase in braking distance would allow
narrower tyres } greater opportunity to pass


as long as it doesn't compromise safety

[Julian Mayo]

less downforce - too hard to regulate. Teams would find a way around this too easily
more weight } any increase in braking distance would allow
narrower tyres } greater opportunity to pass


as long as it doesn't compromise safety

steel brakes = more weight, plus they are less efficient = greater braking distance = more overtaking

[Bundy]

exactly!!!

And you still keep the art of passing in the drivers hands.

Otherwise you just get on a blokes backside, hit the main straight, hit the boost button & your past him. Where is the skill in that?

[GhoGho]

exactly!!!

And you still keep the art of passing in the drivers hands.

Otherwise you just get on a blokes backside, hit the main straight, hit the boost button & your past him. Where is the skill in that?

There's always the counter boost

I do like the idea of steel brakes, more unsprung weight, more gyroscopic force, major reduction in cost, the list goes on and on. = more skill and more passing