Formula One On The Streets and In Your Car

So you have dream of becoming a Formula One driver?  You may not be able to enter a grand prix weekend it's self but all you need to do it drive a modern car and you are half way there.

Today we are taking a look at how Formula One technology is being used in road cars today.

The first thing, and possibly the biggest thing that is being used on the roads today has nothing to do with the car it's self.  Have you ever driven along the motorway or along side a steep cliff?  That barrier that is at the side of the road has come directly from the auto sport industry it's self.


Also know as Armo, it was developed in a bid to cut the horrific fatality rate in motor sport, Armco metal safety barriers were designed to absorb an impact, and prevent a car from crossing a central reservation - or rocketing into a crowd of spectators - without deflecting it backwards again. Though now being replaced on many motorways by concrete 'steps', Armco is credited with saving many lives both on road and track.

Without knowing or thinking about it, the car's body structure, monocoque style, come right out of the races. Although it was in small amounts of production prior to f1 use, it has now become the main type of car construction. Essentially what a monocoque design is a construction technique that utilises the external skin to support some or most of the load. This is as opposed to using an internal frame or chassis that is then covered with cosmetic body panels. It is common to see monocoque construction in modern cars where the structural members around the window and door frames are strengthened by folding the metal several times.

Next step that we see in every day road cars is the use of carbon fiber. It is primarily used in high end super cars and what it does is lighten the car.  The carbon fiber is like a shell used on the car instead of steel panels over the monocoque body.  The weight to strength ratio is unsurpassed in most directions.  The way that the carbon fiber is prepared, it is like an egg.  Strength in a load-bearing direction and but week where there would be no true load bearing weight. There are now many car companies that are experimenting with the weave of their carbon fiber to make it stronger.

Until recently, the material has had limited use in mass-produced cars because of the expense involved in terms of materials, equipment, and the relatively limited pool of individuals with expertise in working with it. Recently, several mainstream vehicle manufacturers have started to use CFRP in everyday road cars.


Many people may not realize it but anti-lock braking (ABS) has also been derived from the sport that we all love so much.


Sophisticated electronic traction control systems - detecting wheelspin and cutting power to the affected wheel - were developed by F1 teams in the 1980s (and then banned, to allow a little unpredictability to a race). The integrated anti-lock braking, traction and stability control of modern production cars is directly derived from the F1 experience - motor sport fans may dislike the technology, but everyday drivers have benefited.

A curse more than a blessing, we get to paddle shifters and the semi-automatic engine. Electronically-actuated clutchless gear-changing was introduced to F1 by Ferrari in 1989, and soon steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifts became the norm. Flipping up and down pre-set gear ratios is now a popular transmission option, and efficient, quick-changing sequential-shift semi-autos have now largely superceded traditional automatic gearboxes. Computer-controlled active suspension systems, as introduced by Lotus, were also first seen in F1.

And finally, the most recent addition to the road car directly from Formula One would be Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).  A few car companies are now having a KERS option in the 2011 models. Taken directly from both Toyota and Porsche's respective websites.

Toyota
When slowing, the gas engine shuts off and resistance from the braking system provides energy to charge the battery. When braking/coasting the front wheels turn a generator that collects otherwise wasted kinetic energy and stores it in the battery. The battery is charged continuously as needed, so that Camry Hybrid never needs to be plugged in. Direct current flows from the battery and is converted into alternating current. The alternating current powers the electric motor.

Porsche

The energy recovery system works by generating electrical power from the brakes which can then be used to charge the car's battery. Consequently, the technology also relieves the alternator current from having to charge the battery during acceleration, providing more energy to the engine and improving economy.

Ferrari has also released their intention to have a KERS hybrid car available for the masses (who can afford it) as early as 2015. With it being stated that the HY-KERS is based on a 599 GTB Fiorano but features a Kinetic Energy Recovery System similar to that used by the F1 team the F60 last year


There have been many other impacts that Formula One has had on the modern road and road cars.  This is just a simple list for you.  So when someone asks you what you drive, tell them, you drive am F1 car!