How We Designed the Upside Down Formula Car (w/ WIllem Toet)
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- This podcast is a conversation with Willem Toet, an ex-F1 aerodynamicist who worked at Benetton, Ferrari, and Sauber, and is now working with us on Project Inversion - our project to prove that a formula car can drive upside down on the ceiling of a tunnel.
In this podcast, we talk about how Willem approached designing a car for such an unusual project, how he developed through 38 versions of the car's design, and how we're protecting the driver, me, if it all goes wrong.
The podcast also includes a familiar face, Callum McIntyre, who has been researching, writing, and presenting on our Driver61 and OVERDRIVE channel for the past three years.
It's a fascinating discussion, and the podcast gets better and better as you get into it. So, this is the Driver61 Podcast, and here's our discussion with Willem Toet.
You can check out more here:
Apple Podcast: apple.co/3knZnP...
Spotify: spoti.fi/2NXMD...
Google Podcast: bit.ly/3st1g05
I have never really heard much about Willem before as I'm semi new to f1, but I'm honestly amazed at he's enthusiasm he's been designing cars for so long coming across and overcoming countless engineering challenges and yet he is so enthusiastic when talking about everything in this podcast you can really tell this is a man that genuinely loves and is proud of he's trade. Love it
I couldn’t have said it any better honestly. I think he doing what we all would want to do, but so often never get the opportunity. Which is to find yourself doing what you absolute LOVE as your profession. His enthusiasm is off-scale high. Which completely must encourage everyone around him.
I’m a bit lost in some of the details… but I can’t help but enjoy seeing how much enthusiasm Willem exudes.
Definitely couldn't have chosen somebody better. Willem is an absolute legend. Glad he's described himself as a safety fanatic, an absolute must. Loved how he helped that car engineer do his car's aerodynamics because he felt the guy was underselling his labor. Definitely the type of person with loads of knowledge and experience that you'd love to listen to all day.
I could listen to willem all day. An unbelievably interesting interview. Its awesome to hear his passion and get a glimpse into his knowledge
I'm only 20 minutes into this podcast but it's absolutely fantastic. Great interview with an inspiring man. I can't wait to see this car drive upside down.
I remember Willem in his 205 hilclimb car back in the 90's. I was 10 years old and helping as pit crew with another car. I remember trying to pluck up the courage to go and ask him about his data logging setup.
I owned that car after Willem sold it F50PPC reg.
Great little car!
Thank you for this amazing podcast! Willem is so enthusiastic about his work and it clearly radiates from him when he speaks about the project. I have one question regarding the project though.
Is there a chance that Willem releases the CFD files along with some commentary about the design choices he made on the specific parts?
This car looks so different from any other racecar we see (especially the front wing), and that info would be engineering heaven for those interested in aero. Provided that you are looking to inspire a generation of engineers with this insane project, such engineering-specific data would be of great value for those who are looking to learn more about the way F1-caliber engineers approach the problem. Usually F1 team info is cloaked in secrecy due to competitive reasons, and creating a more "open-source" access to knowledge of these outstanding people would do a great service for the community.
I love people like Willem, you cannot stop listing to them when they talk with such passion about their expertise, even if you only grasp half of it.
Its amazing, even though i like to think i know a thing or 2 about cars and engineering, when i hear people like Willem talk, i realize i really don't know anything, and just have to listen in awe and learn something.
46:24 - Sounds like it's time to bring back the famous Williams active suspension setup from the 90's. Need something that can adjust on the fly.
that came to mind, but also an electronic diff that would allow complete control of the powered wheels, as Willem explained the spinning wheel at peak ground distance.
@@tp84102 true but he was explainging if there wasn't a locking rear diff. Easy enough to implement. Electric drive motors aren't necessarily needed to solve that problem.
Fascinating. His enthusiasm is contagious. The "gracious lifting" drivers feel in cars with picky aero seems scary as hell indeed (and I kind of want to try the lifting setup on AC now).
Just a thought. Have you considered pivoting the entire front suspension around the longitudinal axis to overcome the the tire lifting in yaw. Looks like 5 degrees or so would do. Damped.
At 40:20 I like how he starts with "normally" when you have your car flat at the tunnel celling.
i wish you most of luck with this project!
I would suggest a corkscrew shaped track instead of a tunnel, you don't risk falling down so far and you don't have the issue with ground clearance. I have an image I can send if you like.
Willem is definitely a good teacher very nice video 👌👍🏻
Definitely! Teachers like Willem are able to make you enjoy any kind of subject.
Willem Toet liking sidecars? I was impressed before he mentioned them, he has now hit peak cool! Would Scott or Callum be brave enough to do a passenger ride with Ben B or Molly? Needs doing! :)
Don't Die! I'd get Callum to do it
In regards of the powertrain, electric seems to be the best choice for obvious reasons (lack of moving parts and fluids, instant torque ,etc), but I'm curious if it were to keep ICE, would a radial engine with pressurized fluid system something to consider, instead of V / inline architecture?
50:14 But why do you need to run on a flat ground? Forgive me if I missed something, I'm listening while working. Why not build the runway leading to the loop with radius included? It's the cheap part of the track and you get more downforce from the floor. Is it just to prove a "road" car can do it?
Are the tires able to grip well on smooth plywood or will a more tractive surface have to be added?
why not close the wheel or at least "half fenders" so they've "no drag"
I'd say that it would always build some pressure inside the wheel arch, which would create some lift. LMP / GT Cars have cutouts to release most of the pressure but there's still some build-up. The Open wheel design will create more drag, but since the goal is to create more downforce even at the expense of drag, it would be the best option anyway.
Would you consider a fully mode decoupled suspension system to be a good solution to the suspension lifting issue going up the ramp?
Brilliant! So much insight! This is like candy for my brain 😮
I think a trike (two back one front) could solve more issues (front tire lifting, chassis torque, etc.) than it would cause (steering, contact patch, etc.). Also why not design custom tyres with an exaggerated outer edge radius (same or greater contact patch on the pipe wall as the flat of the tyre has on the straight) instead of such a large camber angle?
What a great video! Cant wait tk see this
🙂