<iframe width="675" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I_bWOdY6mbU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1637737315.jpg

I'm teasing, the will be throwing stuff away but there is zero chance I would get near the dumpster as security around an F1 HQ is extremely tight

If you post a pic showing the other side of the bodywork sample I should be able tell you exactly what materials it is made from

Dimples are not for aero reason but from the Nomex honeycomb core, printing through the very thin outer carbon skin of the carbon sandwich panel construction, outer skin will be 1 ply of carbon and only about 0.15mm thick

Weight of the paint alone could be as high as 25% of the total weight of the bodywork, especially as Alpine are using metallic paint which is heavier than a flat colour

1ply carbon outer skin? Paint weight maybe up to 25% of bodywork weight?

Thats incredible and fascinating. To how many decimal places does an F1 constructor track mass properties?

Years ago (2008) when Porsche was racing with Penske, we got a tour of the Penske shop. No cameras were allowed, but we got to go rub shoulders with the mechanics working on the actual race cars and ask questions. I noticed a large metal box full of broken parts from the car and asked it there was any chance of getting a piece of trash. All the mechanics stopped and looked at me. One said NO, we are under strict orders from Porsche AG that every single screw, bolt, broken or worn mechanical part and even broken body parts are to be put in that box, and shipped back to Germany for their disposal. We all pouted and whined. Then went back to getting in the way of the mechanics. I got to touch the car!

Later one of the other tour guides asked how in the world we got to go to the floor. The guide said getting into the Oval Office is likely easier than on the floor. Peter Porsche himself gave us the OK.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1637764624.jpg

it is exactly as you say.. authenticity sticker in back prevents a good pic but the side view confirms your "guess" (I know it's not a guess)...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1637772889.JPG

Individual parts and assemblies are to the nearest gram or 0.03 of an ounce

I'm not right in the head so let my OCD run free on my own designed parts, I track weight to the nearest 0.1g for individual parts and laminated ply pieces. When counting laminate thicknesses I work to 0.001mm for each individual ply :rolleyes:

A single laminated part contains 100's or in some cases more than a 1000 individual pieces of carbon, machined inserts and core etc. All the little bits add up to a slightly larger little bit so everything is worth counting

I give myself a weight saving target which is on the high side of extremely difficult and the low side of impossible ;)

Nah, just a lucky guess ;)

Colin Chapman would’ve loved you…

.001mm?

How?

That’s got to be something around 5% of the dimensional tolerances I’m used to seeing for carbon fiber cloth.

I was going to say 4%, but I rounded it up, just to be charitable.

Did mention, I'm not right in the head ;)

To the nearest 0.001mm is the theoretically correct calculated thickness of the pre-impregnated cloth, these thicknesses are usually supplied by our material suppliers

There is of course a deviation from this due to the tolerances of the dry fabric, resin % content, resin density, cure pressure, mould expansion, quantity of plies, fibre orientation/drapeability etc etc

Most F1 composite components are extremely 3D shaped and relatively complex compared to aerospace parts so every little bit counts. Also I need all the help I can get as I like to push stuff to the extreme

As an example to explain the complexity and why I work to the tolerances I do I wrote a detailed description of a part I've done without naming the part but I realised Won might be able to work out what it was so deleted it ;)

I'd love to show pictures of the type of parts we do as some of the stuff is way out there but I can't :( sorry!

:D that's so funny you mentioned that, Javadog have you tapped my phone :confused: as Lotus called today :cool: I kid you not!

Well, if you tell me that you had a chat with Colin, then we have to have a short discussion.

Captain, your experience and insight are tremendous and greatly appreciated. Thank-you sincerely for all you have shared.

Us Canucks are clever that way and shouldn't be trusted. ;)
Best
Les

Thanks Paul, I should share more really as what's shown on Netflix or the press is just the tip of the iceberg

All the action :rolleyes: is the engineering, simulation and manufacturing back at the team factories, not glamorous in any way like the track so no one gets to see it on the TV

Les, I know Cunucks are clever as half of me is as clever as yourself and Won ;)

Frank Williams passed away ☹️

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/32735350/legendary-f1-team-founder-frank-williams-dies-aged-79%3fplatform=amp

Wow. What a sad day for motorsports.

maybe the last connection to the passion that was F1

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/29861744

One of the greats during an era of giants.

R.I.P., Sir Frank.

"The Williams team claimed 114 F1 victories, seven drivers’ titles and nine constructors’ championships."

What a sad day :(

Can't say I knew Frank but worked at Williams for few years, often visiting the F1 team. Frank was often sat outside the front entrance door catching some rays, always had time for a chat, knew most people by name and a twinkle in his eye for the ladies :D

Every F1 team I've worked for uses the well worn out phrase 'we are family' :rolleyes: but for me Williams has been the only team that lived by that mantra :cool:

When I fell over dead, my Williams 'family' I worked with were the first friends to visit me in hospital, the team sent Mrs Ahab the biggest bunch of flowers she's ever had and treated the two of us to a lovely meal out. When I returned to work the care and concern shown to me was humbling, especially as I was only adopted family and not even a F1 employee :)

Room has got a bit dusty here :( so RIP Frank, you Sir are an F1 legend! :(

The Jeddah street circuit looks nuts. I predict many safety cars.