Last time, I wrote about engines in Formula 1. Sure they are critical to the success, but with every year aerodynamics gain more and more importance. Right from the birth of Formula 1, every team has tried to gain every last possible tenth of a second advantage over its rivals. This has inevitably lead to creative and ground-breaking ideas. Some of them stood the test of time, and have become a standard feature on all cars. Other ideas didn't fare so well and usually died within a season or two. There are even some ideas that were banned by the FIA, for a variety of reasons.
The most important thing about aerodynamics is that it is always a compromise. And from Red-Bull's recent form, it is evident that they got the compromise very, very right. They have literally won everything in the last 4 years. That's no small achievement! While Red-Bulls are on the top of everyone's predictions every race, do not be mistaken into thinking it is an easy task. To a complete outsider Formula 1 may look like the many identical cars going around the same piece of track many times every weekend. But what keeps Red-Bulls at the lead is that they make the best cars.
It really is that simple. The Red Bull cars have superb aerodynamics, a reliable and drivable Renault powerplant, and a driver who takes complete advantage to everything given to him, and sometimes those not given to him. Even their pit crew is the best out there. But if I had to put my finger on the one thing that ensures Red Bull remain the favorites to win regardless of race location, weather, time or duration has to be their chief designer, Adrian Newey.
It is not often that engineers get the praise for racing titles; drivers have traditionally garnered all the attention. Adrian Newey, along with his compatriot James Allison, have to be the only exceptions to the norm. I am not a fan of statistics, since it rarely shows the whole picture, but here is one I absolutely had to include. In the last 20 years, cars designed by Newey won the constructor's championship 9 times. These cars spanned three eras of Formula 1, from the 3.5l V10s of the early '90s, to the 3l V10s of the early '00s, to the 2.4l V8s of the current generation. It must be noted that he has usually worked with big budget teams, with very skilled drivers, however there is no denying the fact that Red Bull owes a lot of their success to him. Ask any team principal who they would like to employ as their chief designer, and they would all say Adrian Newey without a second's thought. Except Red Bull perhaps, they already have him.
There is a saying in motorsports, "If you want to win, hire a Finn". It turns out even the fastest flying finns of Formula 1 (think Kimi Raikonnen) can't match Newey's cars for pace. So if you are a team principal, and you fancy winning the world championship, forget the multi-million dollar simulator, and the similarly expensive tyre strategy algorithms. Get Adrian Newey, and a half decent monkey who can drive, and occasionally shake a finger. Watch as the podiums, wins and championships flow in.
The most important thing about aerodynamics is that it is always a compromise. And from Red-Bull's recent form, it is evident that they got the compromise very, very right. They have literally won everything in the last 4 years. That's no small achievement! While Red-Bulls are on the top of everyone's predictions every race, do not be mistaken into thinking it is an easy task. To a complete outsider Formula 1 may look like the many identical cars going around the same piece of track many times every weekend. But what keeps Red-Bulls at the lead is that they make the best cars.
It really is that simple. The Red Bull cars have superb aerodynamics, a reliable and drivable Renault powerplant, and a driver who takes complete advantage to everything given to him, and sometimes those not given to him. Even their pit crew is the best out there. But if I had to put my finger on the one thing that ensures Red Bull remain the favorites to win regardless of race location, weather, time or duration has to be their chief designer, Adrian Newey.
It is not often that engineers get the praise for racing titles; drivers have traditionally garnered all the attention. Adrian Newey, along with his compatriot James Allison, have to be the only exceptions to the norm. I am not a fan of statistics, since it rarely shows the whole picture, but here is one I absolutely had to include. In the last 20 years, cars designed by Newey won the constructor's championship 9 times. These cars spanned three eras of Formula 1, from the 3.5l V10s of the early '90s, to the 3l V10s of the early '00s, to the 2.4l V8s of the current generation. It must be noted that he has usually worked with big budget teams, with very skilled drivers, however there is no denying the fact that Red Bull owes a lot of their success to him. Ask any team principal who they would like to employ as their chief designer, and they would all say Adrian Newey without a second's thought. Except Red Bull perhaps, they already have him.
There is a saying in motorsports, "If you want to win, hire a Finn". It turns out even the fastest flying finns of Formula 1 (think Kimi Raikonnen) can't match Newey's cars for pace. So if you are a team principal, and you fancy winning the world championship, forget the multi-million dollar simulator, and the similarly expensive tyre strategy algorithms. Get Adrian Newey, and a half decent monkey who can drive, and occasionally shake a finger. Watch as the podiums, wins and championships flow in.
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