FORUMula1.com

[manmonkee]

OK there must be a reason for windscreens of F1 cars, there not needed and probably really harm the aerodynamics. Does anybody know the answer to this one

[darwin dali]

I'm sure engineers put the windscreen there to help guide the airflow around the driver and the midsection of the car and to avoid turbulence caused by the driver/cockpit.

[Irv the Swerve]

Look what I found about this subject:

''Button appeared on the 30 July episode of Top Gear (recorded 26 July) where presenter Jeremy Clarkson mocked his F1 car for having a windscreen which was bad for aerodynamics. The following Sunday, Button won his first Grand Prix though it is not known if the windscreen was removed.''

[manmonkee]

It's definetly not an aero device otherwise you'd see different teams tweaking them and coming up with different designs, all the windscreens look the same almost as if there a common device that all the teams MUST use. I wonder if it's some weird tradition thing??, it's not a car unless it's got a windscreen.
Lets face it, apart from the wheels a modern F1 car has more in common with aircraft than road cars.

[Marco]

Surely turbulence is the key? Without such mirrors the driver's helmet would receive a buffetting.

[certom]

i'm not sure, but i remember that i had read an article when they said that the windscreen blocked the air on the neck of the driver

[bud]

i'm not sure, but i remember that i had read an article when they said that the windscreen blocked the air on the neck of the driver

yes its only a minor aero flaw compared to the cockpit/drivers helmet. it is there to ease the force on the drivers head and neck!