A question of speed

13/07/2006

Last week's press release, following the meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris, stated that: Due to a significant increase in cornering speeds in Formula One this season, the World Motor Sport Council agreed to consult with the Formula One Technical Working Group regarding possible measures to slow the cars.

The big question is, how exactly is this going to be done?

It should, indeed must, be remembered that one of the key reasons, other than costs, for the introduction of the 2.4 litre V8 formula, was to reduce power, and thereby top speeds.

In June 2004, in the wake of a number of high-speed accidents, and at a time when manufacturers were unhappy with the proposed 2.4 litre V8 formula, Max Mosley said: "Formula One's technical working group has been saying for more than two years that engine power needs to be reduced. We have seen with Felipe Massa and Ralf Schumacher that speeds in F1 are dangerously fast. We have to act now."

Well, the FIA did act and the 2.4 litre V8 formula was introduced, yet cars are as fast as ever, and, thanks, to a u-turn on the 2005 tyre regulations, cornering speeds have increased, in some cases dramatically.

Clearly, the changes haven't worked, in fact the opposite has happened, resulting in many drivers being openly critical of the cornering speeds achieved at some circuits.

One of the most basic ways of reducing cornering speeds is to reduce downforce, and that will be best achieved by seriously reducing the size of wings and various other appendages.

By all accounts, the proposed CDG wing is proving to be a non-starter, therefore if the FIA is serious about reducing speeds it must do what many have been saying for as long as we can remember, there must be less emphasis on aerodynamic grip, and that can only come about as a result of a serious overhaul of the current regulations regarding wings.

Ironically, this comes at a time when Honda opens its new windtunnel, Toyota prepares to open its second, and BMW introduces the sort of appendages ruled illegal only a couple of seasons ago.... all in the quest for more downforce, and ever-higher straightline and cornering speeds.