This article was written by Stew, found of BMWF1blog.com, a place where you can get your Formula 1 “fix”.
I guess you could say the 2009 F1 season is underway now for BMW Sauber. It was the F1.09 unveiling today in Valencia Spain that officially starts the new season off. I for one have been waiting to see this car since seeing a glimpse of what it may resemble back in December testing.
There was little fan fare this year, just a simple ‘here it is, do you like it?” Shortly after the unveiling, Robert Kubica took the car out for an official photo op spin or shakedown as it’s more commonly called.
Willy Rampf
“Developing a new Formula One car is always exciting, but this time there was something even more special about it. We really were starting from scratch.”
“First and foremost, the switch from grooved tyres to slicks means more grip, of course, but it also moves the balance of forces further forward: removing the grooves gives the front tyres proportionally a greater contact area and more grip than the rear tyres.”
Back in February of 2008 work on the F1.09 started and started with a clean sheet. This car as all other F1 cars this year was designed from the ground up as a result of the great change in aerodynamic rules for 2009 and does look quite different than we are use to, but I have to say that although it is different, I like it.
Just one look and the differences from last season and they are of course dramatic. The nose is much higher and wider than the F1.08 and earlier. The front wing, a component where a lot of time was spent in the past working on airflow and downforce creating a sort of work of art is now basic and functional. The rear wing is much higher and slimmer than previous in order to comply with the new regulations. The car is also completely void of any aerodynamic add-ons such as the ‘antlers’ of 2008 and any other air deflectors.
KERS and slicks have added a little more excitement to the design process. Slicks of course will provide much improved front-end grip allowing designers to add more weight up front.
Once again it was technical coordinator Willy Rampf and his team of engineers charged with the initial development of the car and now further development will be transferred over to managing director Walter Reidl.
Mario Theissen
“In the three years since the BMW Sauber F1 Team was formed, we have always met the goals we set ourselves and are confident that we can do so again this season,” says Theissen. “However, no matter how motivated the team may be and how much development work they have behind them, gauging their progress against the competition has never been so difficult. You can plan your level of performance, but not your results.”
Technical Specs of the F1.09
Chassis: carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension: upper and lower wishbones (front and rear),inboard springs and dampers, actuated
by pushrods (Sachs Race Engineering)
Brakes: six-piston brake callipers (Brembo), carbon pads and discs (Brembo, Carbone Industrie)
Transmission: 7-speed quick shift gearbox, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch
KERS electronic system, BMW Sauber F1 Team
Chassis electronics: MES
Steering wheel: BMW Sauber F1 Team
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Wheels: OZ
Dimensions: length 4,690 mm
width 1,800 mm
height 1,000 mm
track width, front 1,470 mm
track width, rear 1,410 mm
Weight: 605 kg (incl. driver, tank empty
BMW P86/9 – technical data.
Type: naturally aspirated V8
Cylinder angle: 90 degrees
Displacement: 2,400 cc
Valves: four per cylinder
Valve train: pneumatic
Engine block: aluminium
Cylinder head: aluminium
Crankshaft: steel
Oil system: dry sump lubrication
Engine management: standard ECU (MES)
Spark plugs: NGK
Pistons: aluminium
Connecting rods: titanium
Dimensions: length 518 mm
width 555 mm
height 595 mm (overall)
Weight: 95 kg
Max. engine speed: 19,000 rpm
