Formula One news

BMW reveals Monaco's set-up

BMW Sauber F1's technical director Willy Rampf gives a sneak preview to Formula 1 fans to see how the Hinwil-based team has prepared its car for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix. The Monaco Grand Prix requires more downforce than any other circuit on the Formula 1 calendar.

Speaking about the implications for the car aerodynamics Willy Rampf explains: "We run maximum levels of downforce in Monaco. And that means using parts, which generate a lot of downforce but also produce a large amount of drag.

Close up

Downforce is everything here. You carry as much wing as possible and sometimes also use extra wing elements designed specially for this type of track - all, quite simply, because aerodynamic efficiency is not as important as on other circuits." 

There are a couple of changes to BMW Sauber's Formula 1 car. "We have developed a new front wing generating maximum downforce, which we used for the first time - successfully - in Barcelona. We will modify this wing again for Monaco. Plus, we will be introducing totally new front brake ducts and modifications to the rear bodywork. In addition, we will also use for the first time a new power steering that provides more feedback to the drivers."

Since the street course in Monte Carlo has barely got a long straight it is difficult to cool the brakes on a Formula 1 car. Rampf explains how the team will keep the brakes cool in Monaco: "The cars need large brake ducts here to keep them cool. The modest average speeds mean that airflow through the radiator is also reduced and, to make things worse, running maximum downforce makes cooling less efficient. With the front wing set at such a steep angle, some of the air is diverted to the point where it does not flow into the radiator. Monaco never fails to present the engineers with a serious challenge!"

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