***The F1 Technology and Aero Thread***

[illestf1]

I like the flywheel design, too bad no one else used it.

[dreggs]

True for the most part, but what I understand of the system is that the flywheel can continue spinning after braking, independent of the engine, as if a clutch had been disengaged. Either way, the flywheel drives a generator which powers the electric motor. This would give them a strong advantage at circuits with long straights and then hard braking points such as Montreal (not that it's on the calendar, but anyway).

So it's Engine -> Flywheel -> Generator -> Battery -> Engine ... sheez that's alot on components. Are the working systems Engine -> Generator -> Battery -> Engine? One less component.

[Andrea Moda]

I thought the generator drove seperate motors that added to the engine power rather than boosting the engine itself. At the number of revs an F1 car goes at it hardly needs a boosted starter motor to get any extra power out of the engine.

Tell you what, as soon as I find a scanner I'll sketch up what I understand KERS to work as and in particular Williams'

[dreggs]

In my description 'engine' included both the petrol and electric power units, however configured. A sketch would be good.

Just found this video about the Williams flywheel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09knBT2gqqU&feature=fvw

[dreggs]

Just been thinking about Massa's comment in the driver's press conference post German GP. He wanted to trade his KERS car for a better downforce car. Now that got me thinking about how much more downforce does the RBR car have than the ferarri.

Who can give me a good technical viewpoint on this. It seems like there is a massive difference in the cars between say the RBR and BMW at this point in the season, but is that because the RBR has 0.5% more downforce, 5% more or 50% more ... ??
Realistically, I don't believe Ferarri and Mclaren could get it wrong to have 50% less so we must be talking small % differences that make big difference to lap times.

[dreggs]

Ok -- time to add something to this dormant topic.

I just read a quote from Christian Horner in an article on planet-f1.com http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5596870,00.html, where he states that Red Bull is the best chassis this year. I thought that was interesting and sort of a dig at Renault by suggesting it might be power that has let them down. But, I wonder how many other teams will turn up with pull-rod rear suspension systems next year.