Active Suspensions - by Thiago Hoeltgebaum

Active Suspensions - by Thiago Hoeltgebaum

Recent searches on active suspensions reveal significant advancements in automotive engineering, particularly in motorsports. Active suspensions adjust continuously to road conditions and vehicle dynamics, providing improved handling and comfort, and influencing performance metrics in racing scenarios.

For the latest updates on this subject, feel free to check out adaptive suspension cars.

Hello everyone! It’s time to explore the technical aspects once again. Currently, I'm on a mission to watch all previous Formula 1 races to formulate an opinion on the best era in the sport.

As I progress halfway through the season, I've been inspired to discuss the emergence of Active Suspension systems in Formula 1.

1. Suspension Systems

Suspension systems in race cars utilize springs, dampers, and linkages to connect the wheels with the chassis, aiming to:

• Optimize tire wear and grip;
• Control ride height and chassis roll;
• Withstand aerodynamic forces.

Every Formula 1 race requires fine-tuning of the suspension system to ensure optimal performance based on the specific track characteristics. This is a complex task; perfecting the setup for straight sections may compromise performance in slow-speed corners.

2. Active Suspension

Imagine integrating sensors, computers, controllers, and actuators into the vehicle to achieve an ideal suspension setup across all parts of the circuit.

Although this might appear straightforward in today's context, it was a daunting challenge back in the 1980s.

The first instance of a functioning active suspension in F1 was the Lotus 99T, driven by Ayrton Senna and Satoru Nakajima. Senna claimed victory in Monaco, marking a historic achievement for a car equipped with this system.

Regrettably, Lotus secured only two wins that season and did not contend for the championship. The computerized suspension setup added 25kg to the vehicle's weight and required 5% of the engine's power.

Williams Racing later introduced a reactive suspension system in 1990, making its debut in Italy during the 11th race of the season, under the guidance of driver Nelson Piquet, who went on to claim his third world title.

The evolution did not stop there. Williams refined their suspension technology, creating a system so advanced that their car could nearly operate autonomously. However, by 1994, active suspension was ultimately banned from F1—an issue worth discussing further.

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