Reference plane
Miroslav Sanytrák / foto Jiří Křenek | 3.3.06 | Podvozek
F1 constructor
The reference plane is a flat composite desk at the bottom part of the car, complying with the exact FIA specifications of shape and distance from the road. Its main function is to prevent the constructors from shaping the bottom part of the car in order to gain downforce, i.e. the wing car. The era of wing cars, begun by Lotus 78, came to an end in 1982 after the tragic death of Gilles Villeneuve. Not only the cars were reaching extreme speeds, but many accidents appeared caused by amateur experiments with the aerodynamics of the bottom part of the car. The working plane ensures the same conditions for all cars. The only compromise in favour of the bottom part aerodynamics are ejectors, or so called diffusers in the rear part of the working plane. Their position, width and other parameters are strictly specified by FIA. There is a skid block in the axis of the car, a narrow desk of exactly given size. It should prevent the working plane from the contact with the surface of the road. All skidding at kerbs or in the corners are absorbed by easily replacable skid block. Apart from the bottom part of the car, the working plane effects to a high extent the whole shape and concept of the car. It is used as a reference for many width and length parameters, or the minimal and maximal height, which is of substantial meaning for the general car shape.
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Štítky
The design formulas F1
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