instead of being open topped. i would have thought it would make them more aerodynamic and therefore faster.
2007-03-19 05:46:52 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ Formula One
Your reasoning, unfortunately, is flawed. The aerodynamics of closed-top, fendered prototypes like the Peugeot 908 debuting at Le Mans this year make these cars far more unstable than open-cockpit, open-wheeled racers. Keep in mind that canopied prototypes themselves have been rare in international sports car racing since a series of spectacular accidents in the late 1990s. First, a Porsche 911-GT1 flipped at Road Atlanta in 1998; then at the 1999 Le Mans race, the factory Mercedes-Benz CLR team endured three airborne incidents during the race weekend before finally withdrawing the cars early in the race. Between the ill-fated CLR and this year's Peugeot, only one other GTP closed-cockpit prototype has appeared at Le Mans.
Those accidents occurred because those GTP cars were too aerodynamic for their own good. Their bodies were so streamlined that they acted as a giant wing. The increased profile of the canopy created an area of low pressure, generating great lift. Once these cars reached the crest of a hill at high speeds, they took off into the air like a kite. In the case of the final Mercedes crash at Le Mans, the car cleared the crash barrier and landed in a field, and it is a miracle that there were no spectators at the scene.
Take all of these factors and remember that Formula 1 cars reach top speeds that are much higher than Le Mans cars, imagine the nightmare that would follow if an F1 car flew into a spectator area, and remember again about the difficulty that a driver would have exiting the car in an emergency, and you will have your reasons why Formula 1 drivers will never have a roof over their heads.
2007-03-19 11:03:52 · answer #1 · answered by Adam M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people shouldn't answer these questions as they have know idea. The whole reason these cars are designed with out a roof is cause they are designed to be aerodynamic and crash resistant with the driver positioned where they are already seated. If you are fully involved with the sport you would already know that they are still setting new lap and speed records.
2007-03-20 10:11:41 · answer #2 · answered by Sharky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason why the tires are exposed. It's in the rules and regulations (and definition) of open-wheel racing. Hence the same with Champcar and Indy.
2007-03-19 12:51:34 · answer #3 · answered by Carlo Jose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it wouldnt be feasible considering where the drivers head is positioned..the 'roof' would have to curve around the head and raising the profile in this section probably reduces aerodynamics of the car
2007-03-19 12:51:14 · answer #4 · answered by James W 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they've always been open historically and cos they have crashes all the time. Those cars can explode too. And its just easier to get out when you really have to.
2007-03-19 12:53:02 · answer #5 · answered by The Machine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its part of the "formula"
Cover the wheels you have a "sports racer"
Cover the top and you get a "prototype"
2007-03-19 15:20:18 · answer #6 · answered by Flagger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
open is safer and lowers the frontal area, and lowers the center of gravity.
if they were closed, they would be very dangerous in accidents because they would be very hard to get out of.
2007-03-19 14:39:51 · answer #7 · answered by Kyle M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they don't have hoods so if they get in a high speed crash they will not have the chance of getting glass stuck in them
2007-03-19 12:53:01 · answer #8 · answered by Sam P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
air intake to fuel the engine.
2007-03-19 14:39:15 · answer #9 · answered by Erci Bryant 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It just looks cool, so there.
2007-03-19 14:59:12 · answer #10 · answered by Alf W 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋