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FIA Outlaws Reactive Ride Height Systems In Formula 1

 
4 822 views Jan 23, 2012

2011 Lotus Renault GP R31

2011 Lotus Renault GP R31

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In the world of Formula 1, there’s no such thing as a small aerodynamic advantage. In a series where qualifying times can be separated by mere hundredths of a second, any performance gain is significant, particularly for non-dominant teams.

That’s one reason why Lotus was optimistic over its reactive suspension system, which uses brake torque to adjust the ride height. As anything that lowers front ride height can yield substantial benefits in lap times, Lotus saw its system as contributing to the competitiveness of its upcoming 2012 F1 chassis.

Now comes word from ESPN F1 that the FIA has banned reactive ride height systems, which were also under development at Williams and under consideration at Ferrari. Ferrari considered the devices legal, as they activated by braking torque and not directly by the driver.

How much of an impact this will have on Lotus for the 2012 season remains to be seen. Lotus is set to debut its 2012 F1 car on February 5, in conjunction with the launch of the team’s new website.

Kimi Raikkonen, back from a two-year vacation in WRC competition, will take the first laps in pre-season shakedown testing for Lotus before turning the car over to his teammate, Romain Grosjean.



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Comments (4)

  1. phil12321 avatar phil12321 Posted: 1/23/2012 9:36am PST

    This goes to show that if Adrian newey (redbull) didnt create it, then its no good for F1.... I predict Redbull walking away again with another constructors championship.....
     
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  2. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 1/23/2012 1:04pm PST

    @phil1231, I agree re Red Bull and the 2012 season. Don't expect Vettel to be any less dominant this season, either.
     
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  3. kevinds34 avatar kevinds34 Posted: 1/24/2012 5:54am PST

    You have your Lotus teams confused in this story I believe. The team that hap developed the reactive ride height system was the former Lotus Renault GP team that will now be the Lotus F1 team for 2012 and beyond NOT the former Team Lotus team that's becoming the Caterham team for 2012 and beyond.
     
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  4. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 1/24/2012 1:35pm PST

    @kevinds34, that will teach me to choose images before I'm sufficiently caffeinated...

    Good catch, and we've changed the image to reflect the correct team.
     
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