What if F1 drivers designed their cars ?

[Slife]

So sometimes, when a driver does well, one might say that it is because they had a good car. That may, be true, but what if the driver was the car's designer ? So while you might say it was the car that allowed them to win, they designed the car, so in a sense you can say it was their skill/talent that allowed them to win.

So for example suppose Adrian Newey was RB's driver instead of Vettel and the car's designer. Suppose Newey also had Vettel's 2011 results. Would some people still question Newey's skill/talent, thinking it was the car that made him fast, or does the fact that he designed it imply that he is talented a driver ?

[Hail22]

Those who Design a car can see things completely different to what we see, they have been educated to look way outside of the normal parameters of design concepts.

To me an F1 driver does design the teams car in conjunction with its engineers, mechanics, aerodynamicist...its called feedback during practice sessions, simulator runs/tests etc. Like during the whole Schumacher, Brawn, Todt, Byrne days all F1 teams should be seen as a Symbiote organism, they need one another to create a larger force or in the case of Formula 1 a successful outfit.

Thats my simple opinion, coming from an enthusiast point of view.

[Greg Locock]

On the other hand I doubt I was the first to hear the phrase "race suit insert". That's the thing you put inside a race suit to stop it getting wrinkled during a race.

[marcush.]

I thoght the correct phrase for it was :

"Spacer" (according to Boris Said III)

[Tim.Wright]

I think its pretty clear how it would end up...



Tim

[Jersey Tom]

For one, Newey doesn't just sit down with a pen and paper and design the whole car himself. Not sure how much if any he does at the parts and pieces level anymore - he's the CTO.

Second, Tim's description is probably quite accurate.

[krisfx]

My tutor at uni said to me the other day "Listen to the client, and what the end product is. Then completely ignore them" could probably imply for a driver. They know what they want, but they have no idea how to get there, which is where a skilled designer comes in.

And Jersey Tom

Newey still draws the cars, I've stood outside his design office

[Jersey Tom]

I could see AN being involved in some conceptual or high level work, but I have a hard time believing he's a CAD jockey.

To use your analogy there, I'd say the senior engineers and directors have the vision for what's needed to be competitive... and it's up to the design staff to come up with the parts, pieces, and prints to achieve it.

The driver only knows that they want to go fast - or has an insight or opinion on what area of handling they need to improve on (not that it's necessarily right or wrong).

[Nando]

Bit like this i assume, if this is a self-portrait Car probably won´t look any better.

[marcush.]

if formula 1 drivers had to design their cars ..I´d rather not think about this...

[RH1300S]

That's a genius question

Straight away I think we would be seeing Adrian Newey, Colin Chapman, Jack Brabham (not sure how much he designed?) Bruce McLaren in a whole different light.

I'd worry a little bit for some of the younger drivers just trying to get their rockets and guns past scrutineering

[Richard]

My first reaction was wtf? Then I realised this is an intriguing thought experiment, if we set aside the obvious problem that the “designer” is actually a team of 100 or people with a wide range of highly specialist skills...

If we had designer-drivers, then what would be the optimum skill balance? Based on the premis that to finish first you first have to finish, I’d put money on a designer. I doubt any driver could design a car that complied with the regs let alone qualified in the 107% rule, or even finish a race. So while Newey or Gascoyne might put in some outrageously slow lap times, at least their car would be able to run. It wouldn’t matter if they were slow because they would be the only people on the circuit.

[marcush.]

hm ..for 17mill€ you should be able to take a few Catia lessons.. nothing out of the world...so my money is on Hamilton as he has already a proven record of bringing new parts to the car ..A little this a little that and the rest ..well the driver has to adapt a bit..it´s always easier to adapt to things you have messed up yourself..especially drivers seem to be rather less selfcritical ...so it may be a good idea ..no one complaininmg abot car and setup anymore..

[jdlive]

Lewis Hamilton has already filed in his proposal:

[astracrazy]

i think some drivers have some involvement/input, hasn't Rosberg got a degree or something in engineering? Im sure i read something like that before.....