FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Chris_1701]

While reading DD's topic about tyres in F1, I began to wonder: what is the relationship between F1 and the motor industry [in general]? I know F1 is a sport, much like all the other formulas and motor racing in general and that it's all about money and reputations, but does it really end there? I've heard the presenters and commentators in F1 speak about there being a kind of 'partnership' between F1 and the motor industry when it comes to technological advances and that some technology from F1 (and other motor sports) goes on to help the motor industry. F1 uses engines made by some of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, such as Ferrari and also uses tyres made by Pirelli, but how does the use of those products benefit everyone else on the planet that owns and drives a car or motorcycle? Are today's motor sports being used as sort of a testing phase for the motor industry or is it all just about money and reputations for 'speed junkies' (meant in the nicest possible way)?

Chris

[geetface9]

I can't list a bunch of things that have come to road cars directly from F1 like some members may be able to do here, but I can tell you that any time there is competition regarding technology, there are huge advances for the human race in general. Whether it's an F1 team working with some computer company sponsor to push the boundaries on how small and light they can make a vital piece of equipment, or nasa in the 1960's trying to fit a room-sized computer into a lunar module before russia, there will be applications to the real world in day to day equipment sooner or later

[spankyham]

Ferrari introduced the "paddle shift" semi-automatic gearbox at Brazil in 1989 on the 640. Driven by Nigel Mansel it won its first race. Most people credit John Barnard with its invention, however, Mauro Forghieri had created an hydraulic semi-automatic gearbox for Ferrari quite a few years earlier but Enzo wasn't convinced so it never made it onto the track. Barnard saw its value and made it viable my making it electronic (although to be fair to Forghieri the necessary electronic componentry wasn't available when he had the idea).

As we all know, "paddle shift" semi-automatic gearboxes are common now in many road cars.

[bud]

Yep where would we be without paddle shifting!

[geetface9]

Yep here would we be without paddle shifting!

in the stone age!

[Hammer278]

Let's not forget KERS itself..isn't that a big selling point with the Prius? Instead of a 'boost', it recharges the battery doesn't it.

[What's Burning?]

F1 uses engines made by some of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, such as Ferrari

Ferrari are far from the biggest car manufacturer in the world. I think you mean Fiat.

All motorsport are there to first and foremost sell cars. The old saying win on Sunday, sell on Monday is still true even if you can't directly buy a car that looks like the one that won on Sunday, We'll see Audi ads with their four cars crossing the finish line first for the year to come.

After that, there is quite a bit of technical innovation in motorsports that does trickle down into street cars but F1 doesn't wear that crown.

[darwin dali]

Yep where would we be without paddle shifting!

[Scooter185]

During Le Mans it was mentioned that Audi would be bringing the etron quattro hybrid tech to their road cars within a few years ( I think they said two, but my guess would be five) of course the Audi Hybrids system is the Williams original kers flywheel that they couldn't get packaged into their f1 car.

[cheekybru]

was ABS in F1 before it was in everyday cars?

[Hammer278]

was ABS in F1 before it was in everyday cars?

Was there ever ABS in F1? Certainly not since the late 90s...before that I don't know.

[andrew]

was ABS in F1 before it was in everyday cars?

Anti-skid braking systems were banned in the 90's.

Bit more info here. Pre-dates F1 I'd say.

[madbrad]

I remember an old auto shop textbook in school talking about and showing pics of a mechanical ABS system in 60s Lincolns. Once it was further refined and updated it was seen in expensive imported road cars in the early 80s IIRC. It got inside F1 later. Probably took some time to develop a system that was lightweight and compact enough to be practical in an open wheel racecar. So not an example of racing development leading to road car use. Since most technology like that is banned in F1, it's more like the opposite these days from what the traditional model was. Although Ferrari wants to make all its cars Hybrid, and maybe they are developing that using the KERS in their F1 cars. Just talking out my a$$ here though.

[madbrad]

was ABS in F1 before it was in everyday cars?

OMG you have no idea what they had! ABS, traction control, and active suspension. They practically drove themselves. Whoever had the most money had the best of those systems, and that was Williams. They were how Mansell and Prost got their titles in 92 and 93. They were banned for 94 because the poor teams didn't have them, making the field too far apart for the TV audience's taste. Senna had been trying to get in the Williams for a couple of years but by the time it happened it was too late.
The williams became nearly undriveable as its chassis was suited to having those driver aids. They did not have time to redesign the whole car, and development proper would take a season of racing anyway. It was why Senna spun off every race he contested in 1994. IMO the sudden banning of those driver aids sending the teams scrambling to adapt is a major contributor to his untimely demise.

[What's Burning?]

The shifting was automatic as well.