“Formula 1 drivers are heroes, especially considering there are only twenty in the world. The conditions faced in Qatar were extreme, and it had been quite some time since we witnessed something like that. We will analyze everything, but the concept that emerged in Losail, where they fight until the end to achieve their goal, was exhilarating. It highlighted the qualities of drivers capable of giving their best even in prohibitive conditions.”
Today’s article on an old and rather dangerous issue takes shape through the statements of Stefano Domenicali. The President and CEO of the Formula One Group tried to make the most of the spectacle that unfolded on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the Qatar Grand Prix. His words aimed to glorify the work of the drivers to divert attention from the problems related to the heat they endured. Was Stefano’s epic narrative accurate?
Looking at other categories, the answer is no, especially considering that, in terms of technology and available resources, F1 has no equal. That’s why copying others’ solutions was not so foolish, indeed. For example, cooling seats or simply providing the car with superior insulation for areas that tend to overheat more, such as electronic control units or hydraulic lines. Solutions that have already been extensively tested already exist.
F1 2024: Tombazis “reveals” behind-the-scenes on Qatar. Measures in place for the next season
Why did F1 end up experiencing such problems? The question may seem trivial, but it is not. Regarding the topic discussed in the article’s introduction, solutions had already been considered. In fact, the International Federation’s working group had studied some options, including the most effective one, a kind of “hole” to cool the cockpit. This was revealed by Technical Director Nicholas Tombazis.
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The former Ferrari man unveiled the behind-the-scenes details of the issue. In practice, the FIA had sent the proposal to the various F1 teams in a detailed manner. A feasible possibility that could effectively prevent potentially dangerous situations. However, after a thorough examination by the teams, the idea was vehemently rejected for a specific reason: technicians feared that the proposed cooling holes could be used for aerodynamic advantages.
An “excessive” precaution, according to the Greek-born engineer. However, after putting the safety and health of the drivers at risk, it seems that the general opinion has changed over time. Ultimately, it is about regulating the measures and positioning of these openings located below the chassis. “Regulated,” these openings cannot be used for aerodynamic purposes, as Tombazis claims.
However, the measures will not stop here. The idea is to provide drivers with a suit containing cooling devices, to be used when the temperature threshold is potentially too high, and simultaneously, the G-forces experienced by the drivers exceed a predetermined value. All this will be achieved by allowing the minimum weight of the single-seater to increase by a couple of kilograms, ensuring that the regulatory body is respected despite the implemented solutions. In the end, a “human consideration” about the facts.
Assuming that every technician will always try to circumvent the rules for pure benefit, the International Federation should not have accepted a “no” as an answer to its ideas. This is because the health of the drivers must always be at the top of the list. Speaking retrospectively and defining the teams’ attitude as “paranoid” without proposing other solutions did not seem like a brilliant approach. Tombazis explained to the press that regulating everything would have prevented anyone from gaining an advantage. Well… it would have been enough to do the same with the teams, and the game would be over…
Source: Alessandro Arcari for FUnoanalisitecnica
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