F1 Update from the iSport F1 Pitstop: F1 teams considered not using the f-duct in the low spec Monza circuit for the Italian Grand Prix. iSport’s Motorsport Expert Kunal Shah tells us more.
Monza has been one of the most historic race venues in Formula1 – modern and past. The super fast circuit calls for the lowest possible downforce setting that can propel the F1 car down the long straights at supersonic speeds.
With the introduction of the innovative f-duct this year, the teams had an interesting questions - should we or not use the f-duct in Monza?
Simulation tests indicated that the conventional car setup, the low downforce spec car, had a slight advantage over a car that ran the f-duct configuration. Teams of course chose to test both specifications in the Friday free practice sessions.
The f-duct advantage being questioned was a surprise to most – especially since the f-duct device was invented to reduce high speed drag and help straight line speeds. The setup that the teams and drivers evaluated was interesting to see – run a low speed spec minus the f-duct wing or a medium downforce setup with the f-duct option.
The team that boldly evaluated and used both the options were Mclaren. Lewis Hamilton chose the low-spec configuration minus the f-duct, whereas Jenson Button chose to run the medium downforce setup with the f-duct option. The different choices also had a striking difference in their straightline speeds. Lewis Hamilton had the third fastest speed down the main straight – 344.3kmph compared to Jenson Button’s 22nd fastest speed of 329.5kmph!
The basic advantage that the setup would offer would be mid-corner – where the extra bit of rear wing would generate extra downforce and hence provide that edge in mid-corner speeds.
While the data is of course not available to us for evaluation, Jenson Button’s out-pacing of Lewis Hamilton in Saturday’s qualifying session would lead us to believe that the f-duct is the correct setup forward. Now whether Jenson uses this to his advantage in Sunday’s race or not remains to be seen, but the F1 geeks surely enjoyed the f-duct or not question leading up to the Italian GP.
Kunal Shah is a former racer and writes extensively on www.isport.in
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