Podcast: Missed Apex
Published Date:
Sun, 01 Jan 2023 13:57:03 GMT
Duration:
1:08:52
Explicit:
False
Guests:
Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.
Uncle Steve hosts a special magazine show with Spanners and guest Jeff O’Boyle talking all things Brabham BT46 while Trumpets and Kyle ‘Edgy’ Power get schooled by special guest F1 engineer James Wingfield, who worked at Cosworth to develop their hot blowing strategies. From forbidden fans to firing order, from waste exhaust wizardry to truncated technology, no loopholes go untested in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast.
Please consider supporting us on patreon. We exist only because of our patron support:
Missed Apex F1 is creating Podcasts
Or use our Tip Jar to support our 2023 advertising campaign and help us grow the podcast
Spanners Ready Spanners���� (@SpannersReady)
Matt Trumpets mattpt55 (@mattpt55)
Kyle Power Kyle Power (@KylePowerF1) / Twitter
Jeff O’Boyle Jeff O’Boyle (@JeffOBoyle1) / Twitter
James Wingfield (875) Discord | #👋new-members | James Wingfield Racing
James Wingfield Racing - YouTube
James Wingfield (@jameswingfieldracing) • Instagram photos and videos
Link for original Missed Apex Exhaust blown Diffuser Segment:
Magazine Show: Budget Cap, Banned Tech, and Junior Series chat
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
# **Missed Apex Podcast Episode Summary:**
## **Segment 1: Forbidden F1 Fruit - The Brabham BT46 Fan Car**
- Spanners and Jeff O'Boyle delve into the fascinating story of the Brabham BT46 fan car, a revolutionary Formula One car that pushed the boundaries of ground effect aerodynamics.
- The BT46 was born out of necessity as the Brabham team struggled with the bulky Alfa Romeo flat V12 engine, which hindered the car's aerodynamic performance.
- Designer Gordon Murray came up with the idea of a fan car to generate downforce and compensate for the engine's weight and bulk.
- The car featured a massive fan mounted at the rear, which sucked air underneath the car, creating a vacuum and pushing the car down into the ground.
- The BT46 was incredibly fast, winning its only race in Sweden with Niki Lauda at the helm. However, it was also controversial, with other teams protesting its legality due to safety concerns.
- Bernie Ecclestone, the team owner and future F1 supremo, withdrew the car after one race to avoid further conflict and preserve the team's image.
- The BT46 remains the only F1 car to retire undefeated, with a 100% success rate.
## **Segment 2: Hot and Cold Blown Diffusers - A Conversation with James Wingfield**
- Trumpets and Kyle Power are joined by special guest James Wingfield, a former Cosworth engine specialist and F1 engineer, to discuss the history and development of hot and cold blown diffusers in Formula One.
- Hot blown diffusers use exhaust gases to increase downforce by directing them over the rear wing, while cold blown diffusers use compressed air to achieve the same effect.
- Wingfield explains the technical details and challenges of developing these systems, including the need for careful management of exhaust temperatures and the impact on engine performance.
- The conversation covers the dominant era of blown diffusers in F1, particularly the 2009 Brawn GP car, which revolutionized the sport with its innovative design.
- Wingfield also discusses the subsequent ban on blown diffusers and the impact it had on the sport, leading to a shift towards more conventional aerodynamic solutions.
## **Overall Message:**
The episode highlights the constant evolution and innovation in Formula One, where teams push the boundaries of technology to gain an advantage. However, it also raises questions about the role of regulations in preserving the sport's integrity and ensuring fair competition. **Prologue:**
- Uncle Steve hosts a special magazine show with Spanners, Jeff O'Boyle, and special guest F1 engineer James Wingfield, who worked at Cosworth to develop their hot-blowing strategies.
- The discussion revolves around Brabham BT46, banned technologies, and junior series.
- Listeners are encouraged to support the podcast through Patreon or use the Tip Jar to aid the 2023 advertising campaign.
**Segment 1: Brabham BT46 and Ground Effect Cars:**
- The Brabham BT46 was a fan car that used a fan to generate downforce, but it was banned due to safety concerns.
- Ground effect cars were also banned in 1979 due to their dangerous nature.
- The Brabham team owner, Bernie Ecclestone, decided to abandon the BT46 project to appease other teams and consolidate his power in Formula One.
**Segment 2: Internet-Derived Regulation Changes:**
- The 2017 regulation changes were heavily influenced by internet opinions, particularly on Reddit.
- Fans criticized the slow speeds and unreliability of the turbo-hybrid era, leading to a demand for faster and more exciting cars.
- The resulting changes aimed to increase lap times by three seconds, but critics argue that this focus on speed compromised the overall excitement of the sport.
- Nostalgia for the smaller and more nimble cars of the past, such as the 2007 and 2008 models, is expressed.
- The current cars are criticized for being large and lacking the agility of their predecessors.
**Segment 3: Exhaust-Blown Diffusers with James Wingfield:**
- James Wingfield, an F1 engineer who worked on Cosworth's hot-blowing strategies, joins the discussion.
- He clarifies that the unique sound associated with exhaust-blown diffusers was not caused by igniting fuel in the exhaust, but rather by variations in the engine's firing order and timing.
- The teams utilized cylinder cutting to control torque and optimize the exhaust flow for downforce generation.
- The FIA had strict regulations regarding the relationship between throttle position and torque delivery to prevent traction control loopholes.
- The use of different cylinder combinations for cutting did not yield significant differences in downforce or sealing effect.
- The transition from cold blowing to hot blowing was driven by the desire to maintain gas flow while reducing torque and improving engine consistency.
- Engine manufacturers introduced hot blowing at different times, with Cosworth being slightly behind the curve.
- The engine freeze in 2011 and 2012 limited hardware modifications, so teams focused on calibration changes to improve air exit velocity.
- The FIA's strict scrutiny of component changes and requests for new parts added an extra layer of challenge. ## Podcast Transcript Summary: The Hot Blowing Saga in Formula One
**Introduction:**
- Uncle Steve hosts a special magazine show with Spanners and guest Jeff O'Boyle, discussing all things Brabham BT46.
- Additionally, Trumpets and Kyle 'Edgy' Power are schooled by special guest F1 engineer James Wingfield, who worked at Cosworth to develop their hot-blowing strategies.
**Hot Blowing Technology:**
- Hot blowing involves expelling exhaust gases over the diffuser to increase downforce.
- The practice gained popularity in Formula One during the 2011-2012 seasons.
- It was achieved by delaying the ignition timing, resulting in a later burn cycle and hotter exhaust gases.
- The FIA eventually clamped down on the practice due to concerns over its legality and potential safety issues.
**Calibration and Engine Parameters:**
- Engine calibration involves managing various parameters to optimize engine performance.
- Cosworth supplied engines to several teams, and the calibration settings were generally similar across teams.
- Changes to calibration were infrequent due to reliability concerns and the need for extensive testing.
- The FIA provided guidelines and regulations to ensure compliance with engine specifications.
**Exhaust Positioning and Coanda Effect:**
- In 2012, the FIA repositioned the exhaust outlets to take advantage of the Coanda effect.
- This allowed teams to direct the exhaust gases more effectively over the diffuser, increasing downforce.
- Cosworth engineers, including James Wingfield, played a significant role in developing and refining this technology.
**Challenges and Innovations:**
- The transition from cold blowing to hot blowing posed technical challenges for engine manufacturers.
- Engineers had to ensure that engine components could withstand the increased temperatures.
- Cosworth engineers worked closely with teams to optimize the hot-blowing strategies for different tracks and conditions.
- The development of hot blowing led to advancements in engine design and exhaust system engineering.
**Impact on Team Performance:**
- Hot blowing provided a significant performance advantage to teams that were able to implement it effectively.
- The technology allowed cars to generate more downforce, leading to improved cornering and overall lap times.
- However, the FIA's decision to clamp down on hot blowing limited its impact on the sport.
**Conclusion:**
- The hot-blowing era in Formula One was a period of intense technical innovation and competition.
- Engineers pushed the boundaries of engine design and exhaust system engineering to gain a performance advantage.
- The FIA's eventual ban on hot blowing highlights the delicate balance between performance and regulation in Formula One.