F2 car undergoing significant 2010 upgrades
Official website to analyse series of advances over the coming weeks
As the 2010 season approaches the Williams JPH1 F2 car
is undergoing significant upgrades in order to enhance
performance, reliability and overtaking. The car will be designated
the JPH1B and these advances are highlighted below. The
official F2 website is set to focus on each update in
more detail over the coming weeks...
Williams F1 is currently undertaking an aerodynamic development
programme, using CFD technology, with the objective of improving
aerodynamic efficiency by 15% and being able to generate 20% more
downforce. The aerodynamic upgrades will focus too on increasing
the ability of the F2 cars to follow closely, promoting
overtaking.
The 2010 aerodynamic package will provide F2 drivers and
engineers with a broader range of downforce levels to work with,
facilitating greater set up optimisation across the nine circuits
F2 will visit.
Engine power will also be increased for the 2010 season, with F2
utilising a new high flow Garrett turbocharger to raise standard
power from 400bhp to 425bhp. The new turbocharger will produce an
even greater gain on overboost, with power increasing from 450bhp
to 480bhp.
A programme of weight reducing measures will decrease the
operating weight of the Williams JPH1B by around 25kg, to include
new castings for the gearbox and bell housing adaptor in magnesium,
rather than the previous aluminium, as well as many detail
upgrades. Weight distribution will also be favourably improved by
these changes.
Tyre size will be increased in diameter at the front to increase
grip and a new softer compound will be used. Revised differential
components will improve stability on turn-in and mid-corner.
2009 FIA Formula Two Champion Andy Soucek and regular test
driver Steven Kane have already begun testing and evaluating some
of the proposed upgrades during winter testing in both Spain and
Portugal. Full production and further testing is set to continue
throughout the New Year in preparation for the 2010 season.
Upgraded Williams JPH1B overview:
- Standard engine power raised from 400bhp to 420bhp
- Overboost facility increased from 450bhp to 480bhp
- Aerodynamic efficiency improved by 15%
- 20% greater downforce generated
- Operating weight of car reduced by around 25kg
- Improved weight distribution
- New gearbox castings
- Magnesium bell housing adaptor
- Increased front tyre diameter and softer compound
- Greater stability through revised differential components
MotorSport Vision Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer is
confident the F2 car upgrades will be a major step forward for the
championship: "Williams F1 did an outstanding job designing
the JPH1 F2 car in 2009 under the direction of Patrick
Head.
"However 2009 has just provided us with a solid base from which
to aggressively enhance F2. Key areas that will be addressed for
2010 include a target of achieving 100% car reliability, greater
car performance and team operational efficiency."
Williams Director of Engineering Patrick Head said: "Jonathan
Palmer is never one to stand still, and amongst many other
improvements wishes to raise the performance of the car by working
on all the major performance controlling parameters; weight, power,
tyre grip, downforce and drag.
"Formula Two made a mark in 2009 as a competitive championship,
professionally run with equal cars, but everything can be improved
and we intend that this shall be the case for F2 in 2010."
The Formula Two website will look at each upgrade in more detail
over the coming weeks.