Strange F1 designs

Wednesday 5 February 2014 08:04, UK

Image: The Lotus 49 of 1969 had the rear wing mounted on long struts high above the car to make use of clean air
Image: However it couldn't support the amount of downforce created and the concept was banned after multiple crashes
Image: In 1971, March launched the 711 which featured an unusual front wing
Image: Mounted above the car is was likened to an ironing board.
Image: March's concept didn't catch on despite Ronnie Peterson finishing as runner-up in the Drivers Championship
Image: The 1976 Ligier JS5 featured a giant air intake above the drivers head
Image: The car was likened to a tea-pot
Image: The JS5 wasn't the most aerodynamic
Image: In 1976 Tyrrell launched the P34 - or 'six-wheeler'
Image: The idea of having smaller wheels at the front was increase front downforce and create a bigger contact patch for the tyres
Image: It took one win - the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix at Anderstorp - during its two-year lifespan
Image: In 1978 Brabham produced the BT46B otherwise known as the fan car
Image: It was claimed the fan was to aid cooling - but it happened to create extra grip
Image: The car won the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix
Image: But the concept was banned after that race
Image: McLaren also tried to be innovative in 1978
Image: They experimented with a double front wing on the M26
Image: The Lotus 80 was launched in 1979 and was designed to generate enough downforce from ground-effect, that it didn't need traditional wings
Image: However wings were quickly added as the car was a nightmare to drive
Image: Arrows also experimented with the limits of ground effect in 1979
Image: They decided on no front wing, but did add a larger rear wing from the initial car
Image: Never afraid to push the boundaries the 1981 Lotus 88 had moveable side skirts fitted to make full use of ground effect
Image: However as it worked so well the FIA banned it as drivers were suffering extreme G-Forces
Image: Williams experimented with six wheels on a modified version of their 1982 car the FW07D
Image: Alan Jones gave the car its only test and the design was incorporated for the following season
Image: However it was banned because of concerns over pit-stop chaos
Image: The Spirit 201 of 1983 featured a double rear wing
Image: The 1987 AGS JH22 featured a 'periscope' air intake. The concept didn't take off
Image: The 'W12' configuration of the Life 190 engine was a disaster. At Imola in 1990 it was six minutes a lap slower
Image: The 1991 Footwork FA12 experimented with a single nose pillar
Image: McLaren introduced a mid-wing on the MP4-10 in 1995
Image: The concept didn't help the car's success
Image: The best result the car manged was 4th place
Image: Tyrrell introduced the 'X-Wing' for high downforce circuits in 1997
Image: However the Tyrrell 025 was not competitive with Mika Salo scoring the car's only points in Monaco despite a damaged front wing
Image: In 2001, Arrows experimented with an extra front wing mounted on top of the nose in Monaco
Image: However the FIA banned the concept on the A22 after free practice
Image: Similarly Jordan's EJ11 developed a mid-wing for the 2001 Monaco Grand Prix
Image: It was mounted just in front of the driver
Image: And was directly in their eye-line
Image: The FIA also banned this concept after practice
Image: Honda's RA108 featured 'dumbo ears' in 2008
Image: The additional wings were modified throughout the year after being introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix

Strange F1 designs

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