3 ms·
From a safety point of view, the tuned mass damper was a nightmare. A small heavy object that must move freely in the car is hard to secure if a crash happens,
by hvidgaard 6y ago
From a safety point of view, the tuned mass damper was a nightmare. A small heavy object that must move freely in the car is hard to secure if a crash happens, and they do happen at very high speeds every single year. It's the same story with the skirts - they make the cars produce very efficient downforce, except when they don't work for whatever reason and the car continues in the state of motion is was in, almost always into a barrier.
- Someone 6y agoInto a barrier is the good outcome for loss of downforce. The car may make a backward somersault and fly over a barrier or land on top of another car.
- hvidgaard 6y agoLoss of downforce does not necessarily mean it goes tumbling. Skits basically means it's easier to create the suction that provide the downforce. Loss of that means it lacks the grip it would otherwise have, not that air gets under the car in a way that send it flying. The front wing and rear wing would still produce some downforce that keeps with the wheels on the ground.
- Someone 6y agoNot necessarily, but it does make it more likely; that’s why I wrote “may”. If the design has skirts to generate more downforce, designers will decrease downforce generated elsewhere. Having said that, I think skirts were forbidden more because they make driving a car through corners too easy and races too dull than out of safety concerns.