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A friend of mine was a transmission/gearbox designer for F1 cars. It was fascinating to hear about the things going on behind the scenes. Most teams have compo
by junto 14y ago
A friend of mine was a transmission/gearbox designer for F1 cars. It was fascinating to hear about the things going on behind the scenes.
Most teams have components built by a handful of specialized external engineering companies. Some things are dealt with internally, but the lower order teams don't have the budgets to deal with much of the technology in-house. Ferrari is the exception and they do almost everything themselves (this might have changed because this was nearly 10 years ago).
The lower order teams get called "pit dodgers" (behind their backs). External companies know that statistically these teams don't finish so many races, and the attention to detail in the design and finish for these teams is much less than those premium teams receive.
It is sadly a vicious circle. Statistically, they will have worse drivers, who are more likely to crash or damage the cars early in the race, so often the cars in the lower order teams don't have the required staying power for the entire race.
I found it interesting to know that F1 cars have reverse gear, simply in accordance with regulations. It doesn't always work that well however, and I believe on one occasion its inclusion was overlooked.
- tomfakes 14y agoI've seen reverse gear used on several cars this year to get a car back on track after going off. I think the FIA must be testing for this operation (otherwise the teams would find some way to work around the regulations)
- adhipg 14y agoI think reverse gears have been a part of these cars for at-least as long as I've been watching F1 (last 12 years). The utility of them however has been restricted to just getting back to the track or in the pit-lane.
- taligent 14y agoActually in this year it is the middle tier of teams that have been responsible for most of the race-affecting accidents. In particular Maldonardo (Williams) and Grosjean (Lotus). I've found the bottom tier of teams to mostly be harmless. Usually they don't end up finishing races but are a great breeding ground for upcoming talent.
- foobarram 14y ago>>The lower order teams get called "pit dodgers" (behind their backs). External companies know that statistically these teams don't finish so many races, and the attention to detail in the design and finish for these teams is much less than those premium teams receive. == Not true. I have worked for several lower rug F1 teams (purely by chance - I live in Oxfordshire and I am not interested in relocating to Marnello). Suppliers love lower order teams - and its because they punch above their weight. Take for example the Saubers - low budget (~USD80 million?), high skill engineers. Also, suppliers provide standard components - they do not affect the race outcome - they are standardized - take for example CF brakes. An F1 race outcome depends on car balance w.r.t aero maps. Nothing more. >>It is sadly a vicious circle. Statistically, they will have worse drivers, who are more likely to crash or damage the cars early in the race, so often the cars in the lower order teams don't have the required staying power for the entire race. == Not true. Statistically, all the best drivers have come from lower order teams. Hamilton is probably the only exception. Just look at history.
- junto 14y agoAs I pointed out, this was a while back. Things might well have changed in the business these days. The lower order teams were "perceived" as being less likely to consistently finish, may have been a better way to have expressed my earlier comment. I don't think that all components are standardized. e.g. gearboxes? Again, I don't have any contact to the business anymore so I have no idea what it is like today.
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]