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Limited Slip Differential

 

Limited slip differential

 

Unlike Traction Control, where it reduces power to all wheels equally, Limited Slip Differential (LSD) keeps tires from spinning by transferring a torque to the tires that have grip. Usually during cornering, but also during acceleration. Because TC works by cutting fuel during wheel spin (that's mean reducing power output of the engine), always is recommended to use Limited Slip Differential first to try to stop wheel spin by transferring power to other wheel with good grip. If that phase is not successful and spin can't be stopped in this way, traction control taking over.

Accel (during acceleration) is straight forward. Reduces tire spin during acceleration, reducing understeer in F1 cars, or reducing oversteer in front engined cars

Decel, reduces tire spin during braking. During deceleration, Limited Slip Differential is used as part of engine braking system, or, after 2008, by it's own. After FIA introduced common ECU for 2008 championship, engine braking system was banned.

Limited slip differential
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Of course, like most things on a Formula One car, this is all electronically controlled, and can be programmed into the car - in fact, until it was banned, there was a button on the steering wheel which drivers could press to manually lock or release the differential as they pleased, enabling them to get better traction out of the corners and to go closer of traction circle edges. Electro-hydraulic devices are used in F1 to constantly change the torque acting on both of the drive wheels at different stages in a corner. This torque relationship can be varied to 'steer' the car through corners, or prevent the inside rear wheel from spinning under harsh acceleration out of a bend. The FIA allows the use of these devices provided that their characteristics are fixed once the car is out on the track and settings can't be changed by driver.

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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
-
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