Lex Wrote:
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> It is also understood that the FIA is to clamp
> down on teams using clever fixings and joints on
> the underfloor of the car – amid suspicions that
> this is one area that teams could also be
> exploiting the regulations.
>
> I'm totally lost here. What could the teams be
> doing to their cars' underfloors and what does
> this have to do with load and deflection tests?
from here discussing how Webber's car could grind the plank in qualification on an extremely low fuel load, but be high enough not to grind the plank in the race with a full fuel load:Morbid Wrote:
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> The simplest solution to the no-fuel qualifying,
> no refuelling race dilemma is to make the gas tank
> act as a counter-weight in the suspension. That
> way, the more the gas tank weighs, the higher up
> it pulls the car. An empty tank exerts little to
> no pull on the suspension, thus the car is low. I
> am not even sure this would be illegal in the
> current regulations and clarifications.
You could also have the car set at a specific ride height so it passes inspections. Then have a clever device which locks the loaded suspension when triggered, say when braking press the brake pedal to the left and the car locks ride height at the lower setting. After qualification you release the fixing by pushing the pedal to the right, thus it can pass inspection and can handle a race fuel load.
Also, flexing the floor of the car would increase under car downforce which is almost free of drag, as opposed to say an improved rear wing.
It's only after we've lost everything, that we are free to do anything.