4 replies to this topic

[ykickamoocow]

Renault and Red Bull are next in line to produce 'seamless shift' gearboxes, as the technology becomes commonplace in Formula One.

Ferrari and BMW Sauber are also hard at work in designing versions, following the use of the first models at actual Grand Prix by McLaren, Honda and Williams.

A 'seamless' 'box is believed to be worth several tenths of a second per lap, with drivers able to change gear without the momentary 'blip' in power.

Red Bull's work on a new gearbox follows the acquisition of a specialist in the area from 'seamless' pioneer Honda.  
World championship-leader Renault, meanwhile, recently track-tested its soon-to-be debuted 'box.

It could be raced for the first time at Monaco, while Ferrari is thought to be heading for a 'seamless' debut in July.



Could this be why Honda have got a fast car. 2 tenths a lap is a large advantage for Honda, McLaren and Williams. Can anyone tell me why other teams havent adopted this technology faster?

[Autumnpuma]

ykickamoocow, on May 4 2006, 02:02 AM, said:

Could this be why Honda have got a fast car. 2 tenths a lap is a large advantage for Honda, McLaren and Williams. Can anyone tell me why other teams havent adopted this technology faster?

Like any new technology, they are afraid to race it for fear of losing points if the 'box fails in an actual GP. I would assume that the rest of the grid will introduce them once they are satisfied of the reliability. Williams ran with theirs because the team has always preferred on-track testing of new bits. Ferrari didn't run with it because they typically wait until they've tested it to death.

[Schumacher No.1 Fan]

Yeah, i agree. They wouldn't put it into a proper Grand Prix unless they were fully confident that it would last the whole race. Also alot of the top teams are trying to improve their aerodynamics, which has been proven from the timing pages, showing that they are sometimes only as little as 1 or 2 seconds off the page from last years V10's

[Ex128]

Schumacher No.1 Fan, on May 13 2006, 11:20 PM, said:

Yeah, i agree. They wouldn't put it into a proper Grand Prix unless they were fully confident that it would last the whole race. Also alot of the top teams are trying to improve their aerodynamics, which has been proven from the timing pages, showing that they are sometimes only as little as 1 or 2 seconds off the page from last years V10's

Actually, these are illegal in FIA rules, you must have a gearbox that when changing gears shows a small drop in power... I agree with this, I think there is a point to stop cars "driving themselves".

[cavallino]

Ferrari aren't going to bother this year.

Quote

“It brings us just one tenth of a second,” Ross Brawn explains, “but the production of all parts cost us a couple of million dollars. This is better spent in other areas that promise more progress.”

http://www.gp2006.co...m&news_id=20048