InnovationInnovationTata Communications
On JA On F1 Today...
You are here: Home > F1 News > Welcome to new JA on F1 Innovation and technology section
INNOVATION BRIEFING
All Articles in this section
Welcome to new JA on F1 Innovation and technology section
Posted on July 28, 2012

“F1 is all about innovation” – Ross Brawn, AMG Mercedes F1 team principal

We are delighted to launch a new section of the JA on F1 site, aimed at bringing fans closer to the sport and dedicated to the very heartbeat of F1: Innovation.

Research has shown that F1 fans see Innovation as one of the sport’s USPs and a key area of interest. Innovation puts puts the “Wow Factor” into F1. The cars are remarkable as is the pace of their development. F1 is real life on fast forward, it’s the speed of thought and innovation that really sets it apart.


We will have 3d animations, videos explaining how F1 cars work, an image gallery with the latest ideas on the cars as well as regular posts, insights and analysis, with input from the key names in the sport. The idea is to have a section full of original content that all F1 fans can understand and which helps them to get more from the sport.

However we will not just be looking at car technology, but groundbreaking ideas in all areas of the sport; we’ll look at any fresh ideas in rule making, the TV coverage and communication of the sport, even new ideas for team gear or websites. We’ll have a regular guest blog from one of the key behind the scenes technical people and innovators in the sport, looking at new ideas.

To help us bring this section to reality we have to thank Tata Communications, a new company to F1 but one that is set to change it. Readers will remember that at the start of the year they announced a groundbreaking deal with FOM to provide fixed line connectivity at every F1 track, which will soon replace satellites in the broadcast of the TV world feed and will give the teams the chance to send and receive data from the factories much more quickly. And fans will be able to interact much more with the the sport via their computers, iPads and mobile devices.

As a company innovating in F1, who better to support us as we seek to bring unique content to fans all about Innovation?

* Like all areas of JA on F1, this section is fully interactive with comments so if you have areas you’d like to see covered on the Innovation and Technology page then please do get in touch via the comments section.

Posted by:
Allen
Category:
F1 News, Innovation
Tags:
,
49 COMMENTS | WHAT DO YOU THINK?

  1.   1. Posted By: Seán Craddock
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 5:17 pm 

    Is the list of “all articles in this section” supposed to be at the start of the article? It would help if it wasn’t.

    Great idea, can’t wait for some of the animations! All sounds very very exciting. Thanks James and the JA on F1 team! Brilliant work!

    Also, is there a leaderboard for the competition around? I want to see how I’m doing :)

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    July 28th, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    1st leaderboard will be during next week.

    [Reply]


  2.   2. Posted By: Tom Haythornthwaite
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 5:41 pm 

    This is going to be great. I would like to see a section on the amount that engine manufacturers can innovate under the current rules.

    [Reply]


  3.   3. Posted By: gary272
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 6:10 pm 

    Vettel’s fastest lap – he had all four wheels outside of the track on the last corner. Should the lap be disallowed?

    Please clarify someone!

    [Reply]

    Davexxx Reply:
    July 28th, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    Agreed! As I posted elsewhere, I’m getting fed up with this lack of continuity with rulings. Wish FIA would buck up their policing; it’s no wonder drivers can ‘try it on’ then whinge afterwards that they don’t have clear directive.

    [Reply]

    Marcus Reply:
    July 28th, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    It all depends on if he gained an advantage from it.
    If it was on his hotlap and that 3rd sector was his fastest in Q3 then it should be removed.

    [Reply]

    Rich C Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 2:40 am

    And right there is one of the problems:

    Whether or not he gained an advantage is strictly subjective and open to debate.

    Whether or not all 4 wheels were off the track is not, and therefore easier to fairly enforce.

    [Reply]

    gary272 Reply:
    July 28th, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    I think I put this post in the wrong thread/place. However, it don’t get past the fact that Vettel was off the track 1000%

    [Reply]

    Brukay Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    So What give the guy a break you poms are very intolerant when it comes to non brits it had no bearing on the race do you think the stewards with all their monitors can’t see what is happening by the way he did several fastest laps

    [Reply]


  4.   4. Posted By: Quercus
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 7:22 pm 

    This is a really interesting development and I wish you the best of luck with it, James. I look forward to reading all the info you can supply.

    [Reply]

    olderguysrule Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 1:41 am

    +1. James, your the best.

    [Reply]


  5.   5. Posted By: Andy
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 8:03 pm 

    Perhaps a good starting point may be an update on the Tata/FOM deal that you published at the start of the year. What are the plans for ‘fan interactions’, timescales etc.
    I suspect that there may be some details they don’t want in the public domain at the moment, but as your new ‘partner’, it would be an interesting to read an updated report on the deal.

    [Reply]


  6.   6. Posted By: db4tim
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 8:53 pm 

    We said we wanted more and you portend…very cool…congrats

    [Reply]

    db4tim Reply:
    July 28th, 2012 at 8:54 pm

    Well i should say produced…no clue what portend is :)

    [Reply]

    Rich C Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 2:35 am

    Portend?
    A small town in Pennsylvania.

    [Reply]

    Snowy Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 10:22 am

    portend – verb

    1. To serve as an omen or a warning of;
    2. To indicate by prediction; forecast:

    eg. black clouds that portend a storm.

    [Reply]


  7.   7. Posted By: Sebastian
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 9:02 pm 

    Would love to hear how the teams solved the pitstop “traffic lights” issues that Ferrari had when pioneering the lollipop free pit stop.

    [Reply]


  8.   8. Posted By: GP
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 9:04 pm 

    Great addition, James.

    One subject I would like to see covered is the whole process of the KERS. How is heat energy, stored in a special cell, transformed into horsepower?

    Cheers

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    July 28th, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    Thanks for that

    [Reply]

    Amritraj Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 8:55 am

    Hi James,

    Great initiative, as usual. This website is part of the great transformation of the way F1 is being taken to fans across the globe.

    On the technical aspect, it would great if you do a section on the materials used on an F1 car.

    Regards,
    Amritraj

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Noted


  9.   9. Posted By: The Gunner
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 11:17 pm 

    This is a fantastic addition to the site. It’s what many F1 fans have been craving.

    We constantly hear about the development race over the course of a season but this is often confined to a team bringing ‘upgrades’ or simply ‘new parts’.

    To be able to get an in-depth analysis of what the upgrades are and how they benefit (or hinder) a car’s performance is great.

    I’d really like to see how a team channels it’s developments based on driver feedback and input. At Ferrari, for example, I’d expect whatever Fernando wants, he gets, but how do teams like McLaren cater for drivers with equal status but differing styles and how do they decide where to divert their resources.

    [Reply]


  10.   10. Posted By: Cliff
        Date: July 28th, 2012 @ 11:17 pm 

    Great idea James! I’m looking forward to reading how Engineers identify, resolve and come up with new ideas.

    [Reply]


  11.   11. Posted By: olderguysrule
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 1:59 am 

    Hey James, one more thought. As you get into the series, maybe a look at some of the cars from the past. Like maybe the 1993 Williams. Unbelievable technology. I’d love more info on it.

    [Reply]


  12.   12. Posted By: Rich C
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 2:34 am 

    “…fresh ideas in rule making…”

    Yeah, lets see some of that!

    Such as SIMPLICITY, CLARITY, and LESS IS MORE!

    Quit micromanaging *everything!

    If we *want a spec series we’ve got Indycar!

    [Reply]


  13.   13. Posted By: JohnBt
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 6:12 am 

    Wow James, I like this section very much. Looks like I’m gonna spend more time reading up. Thanks once again!

    [Reply]


  14.   14. Posted By: Paul Meyer
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 7:19 am 

    Thanks James! You are doing amazing things with this site.

    For the first time I think someone is realizing the full potential of what can be done with a proper F1 enthusiasts site.

    Well done

    [Reply]


  15.   15. Posted By: veeru
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 7:51 am 

    animations?? coolio

    [Reply]


  16.   16. Posted By: Mack
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 8:13 am 

    James,

    This will be a fantastic addition to an already authoritative site on F1. I see it has potential for a couple of thing – within the sport and outside the sport.

    Within the sport things like the fluid dynamics (aero testing), gearbox developments, anti- stall and the level of and changes in driver control through the mapping are of interest and wheels/tyres. The new engine developments (not sure how deeply you may be able to get into the engine) will be of interest as will be the use of metals and non metals and electromagnetic aspects in their operation and development.

    The second point that may come from the technical information is the spin off and the path taken by the developed technology. Many people, who have little interest in F1, can easily dismiss F1 racing as a simple process of using finite resources and turning them into waste products with little benefit to society. An explanation that can show the positive aspects of technology transfer from F1 developments to areas such as lightweight composite components for the disabled i.e. transport and prosthesis through to elegant ultrathin furniture or education aids etc. Other spin off such as fuel development, engine power, engine weights, recoverable energy and their path to everyday life will, in my opinion, lift the understanding of the sport (among the not so informed and the fairly well informed). The connection of F1 developments to things/actions involving the “person in the street” provides, in part,a licence to operate for F1. This helps promote the positive aspects of F1. Is this an aim? Am I on the right track?

    [Reply]


  17.   17. Posted By: Wade Parmino
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 8:20 am 

    This sounds really good. :)

    [Reply]


  18.   18. Posted By: Lisa Thomas
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 8:51 am 

    Sounds a brilliant idea, thank you James.
    Dunno if this is the right time or place for this comment, James, but regarding the live TV feed, which I believe is supplied by the FIA, I wish there could be less cutaways to faces in garages unless there is a good reason for it. Of course it has to happen now and then, but there’s too much of it.

    [Reply]


  19.   19. Posted By: Horno
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 11:28 am 

    James,
    Great as always! It even looks technical! (the website!)

    Maybe interesting for in the future;
    - how do teams design new parts?(Philosophie behind the drawings)
    - how does the ‘race control’ work at their home base?

    Anyway.. I will read this section as much as possible, cause the technique behind the cars is what it makes it so interesting!

    Cheers!

    [Reply]


  20.   20. Posted By: Greetz
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 11:34 am 

    Thanks James, for me as engineer this is the reason for trully loving F1. Keep up the good work!

    [Reply]


  21.   21. Posted By: SpaceJunk
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 12:53 pm 

    James, thanks for continuing to evolve your website. Just like F1 itself, it’s amazing how much development you’ve put into your site. It’s now the one and only F1 website. That you so much.

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    July 29th, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Thanks !

    [Reply]


  22.   22. Posted By: Chris H
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 3:32 pm 

    Great idea James, and I’m especially looking forward to this section coming online.

    I would like to know in detail how McLaren have resolved their pitstop problems, to the extent that they are setting World Records.

    Also, their’s some great innovation at Williams, by bringing in Michael Johnson to examine their pitstops, and McLaren, if I remember correctly, have brought in GSK to help with various areas.

    I would also be interested in hearing what innovations the various partners have made by being involved in F1. For example, have Lenovo taken anything out of their partnership back into their marketplace? We constantly hear about how the car manufacturer’s are doing this, so it would be interesting to hear if other organisations can do the same, eg GSK, LG, Vodafone.

    James, can I just say I really appreciate the work by Bernie and co at the last three races in the podium procedure. The interviews on the podium are a welcome move. Hopefully, they may have plans in place should future WC’s be crowned without finishing on the podium – eg Lewis in 2008, JB in 2009 – to perform an interview on the podium.

    [Reply]


  23.   23. Posted By: Elie
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 3:37 pm 

    Great initiative James, best wishes with it. I’d like to see some comparisons between the teams KERS especially given commentary during Hungary about Lotus KERS not quite being a match (40kw comp to 60 kw) to the Mercedes. Also some updates on developments for 2013/4 regs. On a separate note – nice interview with Mark pre race , who did his best to hide concern over Fernando getting away in the points! Thanks again

    [Reply]

    Leigh Schickerling Reply:
    July 30th, 2012 at 4:26 am

    The Lotus KERS seems to be an ongoing problem, when it does operate it is lacking in performance compared to Mercedes, surely Lotus will have fired a rocket up the supplier to get there act together?

    [Reply]


  24.   24. Posted By: Jonno
        Date: July 29th, 2012 @ 7:32 pm 

    It would be interesting to hear about innovations that failed, and why they failed. For example this years Mercedes double DRS.

    [Reply]


  25.   25. Posted By: Liam in Sydney
        Date: July 30th, 2012 @ 4:09 am 

    James, I like your tech drawing grid paper background. Very techy. :)

    [Reply]


  26.   26. Posted By: Iain:R8
        Date: July 30th, 2012 @ 7:13 pm 

    Great idea James. Thanks very much for the site. It has some fresh thinking on F1 journalism. Something that was sorely needed.

    Is it possible for you to persuade the FIA to release the “technical clarifications” they issue during the season. I can’t find them on their web site.

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    July 30th, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    Good question

    [Reply]


  27.   27. Posted By: franed
        Date: July 31st, 2012 @ 9:16 pm 

    James have you seen this story using an F1 ECU in hospital?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18982474

    I am surprised it has not been splashed by McLaren, it would be good for F1′s image. Even more so if MTC does the development as a charitable gesture.

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    July 31st, 2012 at 11:26 pm

    Thanks

    [Reply]


  28.   28. Posted By: Lanza81
        Date: August 1st, 2012 @ 3:17 am 

    I would like to know the reason why there is so much difference in straight line speed between the Renault powered Lotus and the Renault powered Red Bull.

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    August 1st, 2012 at 11:01 am

    Downforce level

    [Reply]


  29.   29. Posted By: Paul Kirk
        Date: August 1st, 2012 @ 6:36 am 

    Something that continually frustrates me is the comment on tv, “so and so was delayed/stoped/slowed/had to pit/returned to the garage/was towed to the pits/failed to make the start/made a slow getaway etc., etc., by a technical problem/issue”! It would be really great to know what that “technical problem” was!
    All that aside, your site is great, James, THANKS a MILLION.
    PK.

    [Reply]


  30.   30. Posted By: Ned Hayfield
        Date: August 24th, 2012 @ 2:17 pm 

    Dear James…
    I was just doing a bit of Interweb searching to find out some more about the Lotus DRS, and suddenly came across your website. Excellent stuff, this is just the kind of thing I’ve been looking for for AGES. Good work fella, and all the folks you’ve got working with you there! Quality, mate, thank you.

    Ned

    [Reply]

    James Allen Reply:
    August 24th, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    Thanks. Spread the word..

    [Reply]

Leave a Reply







Featured Technical Story, May 2013
XPB.cc
Fernando Alonso goes into his home Grand Prix at Barcelona next weekend looking to bounce back from the disastrous Bahrain Grand Prix in which he lost a chance of victory... More...
INNOVATION GALLERY
screen-shot-2013-03-19-at-06-26-35
Red Bull front brake drum in Melbourne is completely covered, allowing little heat to escape into the front tyres. This is one of the key areas with getting Pirellis to work
25 Images in this gallery | 1 of 25
screen-shot-2013-02-15-at-09-47-45
For 2013, McLaren have switched to a pull rod front suspension. They wanted to raise the front section of the chassis, to improve the air flow under the car and between the chassis and the wheels.
25 Images in this gallery | 2 of 25
Mercedes rear wing
Mercedes spent the final few rounds of the season focusing on work for its 2013 car and in Brazil tried out a new rear wing on the W03. The part featured a new DRS control mechanism and Schumacher ran it on his car during Friday p...
25 Images in this gallery | 3 of 25
McLaren front wing
Having stayed on after the Abu Dhabi GP to complete their allocated young guns running, McLaren trialled a new front wing during the course of the three days which was then given the green light for Austin. What were two cascades...
25 Images in this gallery | 4 of 25
Ferrari rear wing
Ferrari's Abu Dhabi upgrade was targeted directly at improving the F2012's single-lap pace for the title run-in, the car's weak point all season. The new rear wing was designed to produce a more powerful DRS effect.
25 Images in this gallery | 5 of 25
Ferrari front wing
Further tweaks to the F2012's front wing were also unveilved at Yas Marina with the main difference from India being a new main profile and different wing endplates, to channel the air more effectively around the front wheels and...
25 Images in this gallery | 6 of 25
Caterham front wing
In a bid for a late season step forward, Caterham introduced a number of significant changes to the CT01 in Abu Dhabi. John Iley explains: “We’ve modified the front wing and floor. We’ve brought some bits back to the car in...
25 Images in this gallery | 7 of 25
Mercedes double DRS
Mercedes completed some testing with a view to 2013 on Friday in Abu Dhabi with Rosberg trialling a 'passive' double DRS system, similar to that first developed, but not raced, by Lotus in recent months. The air travels through ve...
25 Images in this gallery | 8 of 25
Ferrari front wing
After an aero test had allowed Ferrari the chance to understand the recent problems experienced with its wind tunnel, a new front wing was brought to the Indian GP. The changes centred around the endplate where an additional slot...
25 Images in this gallery | 9 of 25
Williams front wing
The latest in a long line of detail changes to the front wing of Williams's FW34 was unveiled at Yeongam, with the revised part including a change to the endplate. Disappointingly for the team, however, was that the upgrade coinci...
25 Images in this gallery | 10 of 25
Red Bull rear bodywork
Red Bull introduced a new, shorter rear bodywork package onto the RB8 for the Korean GP, the latest sizeable change to the increasingly dominant car in recent weeks. With a shorter sidepod profile, a different route for the exhaus...
25 Images in this gallery | 11 of 25
Lotus exhausts
In Korea Lotus became the latest team to run the in-vogue 2012 exhaust layout on its car, which optimises the Coanda effect. Running on only Kimi Raikkonen’s E20 across the weekend, the team admitted that they still had some way...
25 Images in this gallery | 12 of 25
Ferrari rear wing endplates
Another revised rear wing arrived for Fernando Alonso to test in practice at Suzuka, but like at the previous round in Singapore, the part - which contained further tweaks to the endplate and grills - was again not raced come the...
25 Images in this gallery | 13 of 25
Sauber front wing
For Japan Sauber unveilved a new front wing on the C31 as part of the second phase of upgrades to the car first introduced in Singapore. The new wing featured an additional winglet and helped provide a clear step forward, with Kam...
25 Images in this gallery | 14 of 25
Red Bull front wing
Following reports that Ferrari had approached the FIA with concerns over the apparent flexing of Red Bull and McLaren's front wings, the governing body introduced more stringent flex tests in Japan. This coincided with Red Bull in...
25 Images in this gallery | 15 of 25
Ferrari rear wing
Ferrari's major upgrade for Singapore was a new high downforce rear wing which Fernando Alonso trialled during Friday practice. The new design, which included an increased number of grilles on the bottom of the endplate, was howev...
25 Images in this gallery | 16 of 25
Red Bull revised sidepods and rear suspension
Red Bull firmly signalled its intent to hit back in the title battle at the Singapore GP by introducing several major upgrades, including a revised rear suspension – basically the fourth different iteration of the RB8 this seaso...
25 Images in this gallery | 17 of 25
Red Bull rear wing
The second addition for Red Bull at Marina Bay was a new high downforce rear wing, which included fewer vertical grills on its endplate. The upgrade showed its immediate worth as Sebastian Vettel set the pace in both Friday practi...
25 Images in this gallery | 18 of 25
Red Bull front wing
Red Bull also introduced a new front wing for Saturday morning in Singapore to provide an additional downforce boost, and while qualifying ultimately proved a slight disappointment, Sebastian Vettel was able to stay with McLaren's...
25 Images in this gallery | 19 of 25
McLaren Sidepods
After running with three ‘fins’ on top of the MP4-27’s sidepods to manage air flow around that part of the car at previous races, McLaren at Spa unveiled a brand new concept with a D-shape deflector cover running over the to...
25 Images in this gallery | 20 of 25
Lotus Nosecone
Lotus ran with a 'bulging' higher-downforce nose on its E20 at the Hungaroring in at attempt to improve the car's performance and handling in the kind of slow to medium speed corners present around the circuit. The upgrade appeare...
25 Images in this gallery | 21 of 25
ECU
The new ECU will be the same size and weight as the existing one but will have five times the processing power of the existing units and will be able to log over 1,000 parameters. The new ECU will run on the existing V8 engines ne...
25 Images in this gallery | 22 of 25
Lotus Double DRS
At Hockenheim Lotus tested a clever innovation, a double DRS rear wing. Unlike the Mercedes system it does not channel air from the rear to the front wing to cut drag, instead it provides a double drag reduction on the rear wing,...
25 Images in this gallery | 23 of 25
Red Bull Diffuser
Red Bull Diffuser: Red Bull has been refining the rear end aerodynamics all season, trying to compensate for the downforce lost with the banning of the exhaust blown diffuser. This is the major upgrade to the rear floor and diffu...
25 Images in this gallery | 24 of 25
McLaren Sidepods
McLaren's revised sidepods at Hockenheim July 2012. McLaren has done a lot of work on the sidepods and exhaust exits, channeling the air more effectively down to the diffuser. This is ground that Red Bull and Ferrari have covered...
25 Images in this gallery | 25 of 25
 
Guest Blog
Guest Blog: Junior Tech challenge F1 in Schools expands its reach
Posted April 29, 2013
F1 in Schools in the Middle East – Watch this Space! By Steve Nevey F1 technical business expert, formerly with Red Bull Racing As part of my Business Development role... More...
LATEST VIDEO
How F1 cars work -- DRS
Video from the official JA ON F1 Innovation channel on YouTube. Check here for all our latest videos.
Further videos in this section
Tata Communications Group CEO Blog
Vinod Kumar Managing Director & Group CEO
Posted 30th May 2012
Vinod Kumar is Managing Director of Tata Communications Limited and CEO of Tata Communications Limited Group, part of the $83.3 billion Tata Companies. More...
Follow Tata Communication on twitter
              jQuery(function($){
                $(".tweet").tweet({
                  join_text: "auto",
                  username: "tata_comm",
                  avatar_size: 0,
                  count: 1,
                  auto_join_text_default: "",
                  auto_join_text_ed: "",
                  auto_join_text_ing: "",
                  auto_join_text_reply: "",
                  auto_join_text_url: "",
                  loading_text: "loading tweets..."
                });
              });
Screen Shot 2012-06-29 at 18.53.51
Featured Podcast
This month’s JA on F1 Podcast features a fascinating discussion on Innovation in Formula 1. We’re really excited about this one and hope you are too. If you like to... More...
Popular Tags in Innovations
F1 starts
F1 technology
Electric Motor Sport
F1 News
Innovation
F1 tyres
Pirelli F1 tyres
F1 pit stops
F1 qualifying
Explore F1 Innovations

Copyright © James Allen 2013. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following: You may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only. You may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.