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Barge Boards - Turning vanes

 

Bargeboards primitive
Simple, old stile of Barge boards
BMW 2007 stile of Barge boards - vortex generators
More sophisticated BMW 2007 stile of Barge boards - vortex generators

 

 

Turning vanes, the vertical plates, usually curved, mounted on either side of the chassis between the front wheels and the sidepod air intakes, first appeared on F1 cars in the early 1990s. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, they became very complex devices, often with multiple elements, and during this period cars also sprouted turning vanes in various other positions around the car, such as on the edges of the sidepods and under the nose.
FIA regulation changes introduced for 2009 resulted in simpler turning vanes and restricted their positioning, but they are still important aerodynamic devices. Turning vanes are so-called because they are designed to turn the airflow around the car. The turning vanes have multiple functions, but are used predominantly to help to control the turbulent wake from the front wheels, and to scavenge air from the front wing and under-chassis area, turning the airflow towards the sidepods, floor and diffuser.

Barge boards or Turning vanes were once a primary feature shielding the radiator ducts from the turbulent wake of the front wheels, or so we thought. In recent designs, barge boards were replaced by complex vortex generators that direct vortex cores under the car with the aim of feeding the rear diffuser with high energy flow, and increasing the diffuser's effectiveness. It appears that traditional barge boards may have induced a similar effect but less effectively. Also, bargeboards are used to guide turbulent air from the front wing wake, away from the vital airflow underneath the car. In addition, the lower trailing edge of a bargeboard creates a vortex which travels down the outer lower edge of the sidepod, acting as a skirt or dam, helping to seal the lower pressure area under the car. With such techniques we can see continued use of ground effect in Formula 1.
The 'barge boards', as they're unofficially known, are an aerodynamic device also used to slow down the air entering the sidepods - and therefore both the speed and quantity of air reaching the radiators and engine bay. They also reduce the drag of the exposed sidepods.

 

2009 FIA Technical regulations
Ferrari racer for 2009 World Championship - F60 have a small
bargeboards adapted to 2009 FIA Technical regulations

 

Despite various measures and rules changes from 2008 to 2009 to simplify the aerodynamics of current Formula 1 cars, teams are exploring all possible areas where some gains can be made. The area under the nose and ahead of the sidepods looks to be interesting for the car development because it is not that strictly regulated. So, bargeboards are still present in F1.

After aero rules changes during 2015 and later, area in front of sidepods get relatively free to develop and barge boards become a work of art. Very expensive to develop, very complex and sophisticated.

Bargeboeard Hass 2018

Bargeboard Mercedes 2018

Bargeboard STR 2018

Bargeboards Force India 2018


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Some useful links:

Technical
- f1technical.net, a great site with a lot of technical information’s and explanations. Site is updated daily with news from F1 word.

Autosport
 - autosport.com, This site is a legend. A bible for racing lovers. News from all around the word. Unfortunately, to get access to all news, interviews and to open the site completely you should be subscribed to Autosport magazine. Anyway, great read.

Formula 1 Results
- Check the latest Formula 1 race results here. Follow Formula 1 live results, final race results, practice, warm-up and qualifying times on Flashscore!

Joe Saward blog
- joesaward is the Joe Saward official blog about Formula 1 world. Joe is an journalist, who write primarily about politics in and around motorsport, specifically on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship

Planet F1
 - planetf1, another site with many different articles, news and statistics. Biased toward British teams, but anyway good read.

Gurney flap
 - gurneyflap.com, Great history site. You can learn a lot from this site. Pictures, cars and many many more. Great.

4mula1
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4ormula1 is a database of Formula 1 history and statistics of drivers, teams, grand prix, and all results since 1950.

Missed Apex Podcast
Enjoy range of Podcasts and Articles on Motorsport. Every week a Formula one chat on Missed Apex F1 Podcast with F1 journalist Joe Saward and tech Analyst Matthew Somerfield as guests. Also the exciting all electric racing series formula E on eRadio Show and Bike Show Lean Angle Podcast.

Racecar engineering
-Racecar Engineering, an online magazine with a lot to learn from, a lot of technical information’s and explanations

FIA
 - fia.com, La Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, representing the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users. Head organisation and ruler in auto sport.

Wikipedia
 - wikipedia.org, I don’t believe that I have to tell you anything about this site. It’s not about Formula 1 technology, but you can learn a lot about that too.

Sutton Images

grandprix photo

Vehicle freak
Another site for us normal people. Lots of tips, tricks and "What Happens if" related to the maintenance of all types of vehicles and its components. It's worth a visit.

Dare To Be Different
- Daretobedifferent.org Susie Wolff and UK governing body of UK motorsport have joined forces to launch Dare To Be Different, a high-profile new initiative which is about increasing female participation, not just on the track but in all aspects of the sport.

Giorgio Piola web site