Remember a couple of weeks ago I was mentioning how the Mercs take the curbs like they weren't even there.
Well they are still using a version of their FRIC (Front Rear Inter-Connected) suspension - but just on the front since the FIA ruled out Front-Rear Connections:
Full article by Giorgio Piola at Motorsport
Basically: Merc has hydraulicly interlinked front suspension. This is re-active rather than active and therefore gets a pass by the FIA.
This is not catered for in the new rules for 2017 so it is unlikely to get banned (unless teams rally against it but RBR is working on a similar setup) so expect Merc to have a slight advantage continuing into 2017.
Edit: thanks auaq - fixed the link.
Last edited by RidgeBack; 09-14-2016 at 02:20 PM. Reason: Thanks auaq: fixed the link
Link is not there anymore.
- - - Updated - - -
*article
There's an extra http:// at the end of the address in the link. Remove that and you're good.
Or click here
Interesting, thanks.
Very interesting.
Can you explain the difference between active, re-active and passive? I was under the impression that FRIC was passive and was somewhat confused concerning the FIA's ban.
Current: '94 MX-6 V6/5 • '72 240Z • '10 Mazda5
Past: '02 330i/5 • '85 RX-7 GSL-SE • '95 540i/6 • '95 525i/5 • '86 635CSi/5 • '88 JZA70 • '86 4K quattro • '85 RX-7 S
Wish list: Type 44 • Manta • Pre-'85 CGT • 405 Mi16 • SVX • W123 Coupe
active means the car knows in advance and will adjust accordingly - usual computer programming where the teams will capture track data and then use this data to feed/change the suspension etc.
re-active and passive are basically the same thing: in that the parts will re-act to the surface/bumps/corner/curb/weight distribution change etc. Hence legal.
The "3rd spring" isn't a new idea, but I think this application is something that is new. In my head, it seems like it would have to be just a normal damper with very high low speed resistance and very little high speed resistance. That, or the rapid movement of one wheel actuates a system that ensures the other side has the right bump or rebound resistance.
That's why those guys get paid lots of money and I just watch.
Bookmarks