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[CookinFlat6]

This is a real turn up for the books, first of all Lewis masters the 2014 regulations better than Seb and Nico

and now just to send the media doubterz into a frenzy of indignation, his father Anthony, famous to all haterz for getting sued by Di Resta (not so famous for stripping Di Resta of his cash in court) is now revealed as a thinking F1 dad who INVENTS things rather than drink himself silly in the hospitality of his sons team

A revolutionary new concept developed by Lewis Hamilton’s father is to be put through its paces over the course of the next few days in Abu Dhabi.

Dubbed “Info Wing”, the LED display system sits on top of the air intake above the driver’s head and primarily provides race-position data. Using information supplied by race control, data can also be displayed on who has set the fastest lap, tyre strategy and flag condition via multiple colours.

The FIA is initially to test the Info Wing on the safety car during its assessment runs of the Yas Marina circuit, either on Thursday or Friday. Force India will run a further test of the unit on top of their car next Tuesday on the first day of a two-day test that follows Sunday’s season-ending grand prix.

Anthony Hamilton said: “The test is to decide whether the unit is practical for F1 and single-seaters. Also, whether the LED display can be seen from the grandstands, and whether it works for the TV audience.

“The idea behind the system is to provide race position data plus other race information to the viewing public. One of the major problems with watching race cars is knowing who is where and who is who without having to take your eyes off the action to find and locate the information on a hand-held device, or one of the circuit monitors.

“By the time you have found the information the car has gone past and you’re no better off, and having missed the action as well. It might not work. We might not be able to see the LEDs in the bright sunlight, but it is the concept I hope could be of interest.

“It might require further work on the intensity of the LEDs, but I believe this has the potential to make a huge impact on the viewing of races and tests, making it more informative and enjoyable. Hopefully it could bring new fans to the sport, and old fans back as well.”

Patent pending, the MkII prototype will run in Abu Dhabi, with a MkIII version currently in development. That design incorporates a new-shaped camera mount and a double-LED display that incorporates not only race position data, but also the first three letters of a driver’s surname.

Hamilton is also developing a version for DTM (German touring cars), Indy Cars, Nascar, karting and motor bikes.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/nov/19/formula-one-trial-system-lewis-hamilton-father-anthony-info-wing

With Seb getting spanked by the dentist model, Button suddenly qualifying well at the end of season, and Honda turning up a year late with a better PU than Ferrari, can this season become any weirder ??

Discuss!

[What's Burning?]

I'd argue the use of the word "revolutionary" Le Mans cars have had class, and position indicators for years and years. Sounds cool though and I'd like to see it implemented. It's not an issue watching at home but a lot more helpful watching it live.

[CookinFlat6]

I find that I spend most of the time cycling through the various lap time displays. I hope its just a matter of time before we have Google glasses type displays that can display data from this Hamilton type device when you look at the car.

If Hamiltons display can work in real time, then the technology is already there to point a smartphone or glasses etc at the wing and get a headsup of all the main data like sector timings, fuel, throttle, brakes, G meter for acceleration and cornering

Now that would be really cool and could solve the major setback to watching trackside

I didnt realise Le Mans had something similar in sophistication to what he is proposing beyond basic class indicator

[stonemonkey]

Could be handy for tv too, i dont always catch every group of positions shown along the bottom of the screen as it flicks through them, though the commentator usually tells you the position of the cars currently on screen.