BMW Sauber F1.06 - F1.08 Series: The 2008 F1.08 monopost

The 101 points in 2007 with a very good F1.07 once again had the designers and engineers working overtime to produce an even better car and aerodynamics and balance were once again at the top of the list.

“Our aim was to build a car with impressive aerodynamic efficiency, but which also boasted a very stable aero balance,” he said. “This means that it hardly loses any downforce when the wheels are turned in, and thus gives the driver a lot of confidence.”

That pretty much sums it up.

It started with weight.  The F1.06 and F1.07 looked a bit bulky and didn’t fair well on the weight distribution side.  This year the car underwent changes to alleviate this problem.

This was another year for rule changes, the most significant being ’standard electronics’ which eliminated traction control and engine braking.  Now a car had to be created that could retain stability and balance throughout breaking into and through corners without the driving aids.

The other issue that had to be addressed as a result of rule changes was that the gearbox had to last four full race weekends.

To compensate for the lose of these aids, mechanical grip through the tires was the obvious answer and another focal point in the design of the F1.08

To summarize what was done, the placement of the engine was changed along with the length of the gearbox, weight distribution was dealt with, the size of the fuel tank was changed, and there were also suspension changes.  During this process, aerodynamics certainly didn’t take a back seat and these changes were done with that in mind.

“Our aim was to build a car with impressive aerodynamic efficiency, but which also boasted a very stable aero balance,” he said. “This means that it hardly loses any downforce when the wheels are turned in, and thus gives the driver a lot of confidence.”

The most dramatic visual aerodynamic change was done to the front wing and nose.  The front wing underwent a face lift and was suspended above the nose with three foils.  The nose is much slimmer once again to aid with the affect of more efficient air flow to the rear of the car.  The rear end of the car is also slimmer and smaller than the F1.07.  Other flanges and wings have been added to the engine cover to produce greater downforce and also to improve airflow through to the rear wing.

The season started off quite well and continued that way through the Canadian Grand prix, but when the team changed their focus to 2009, in season improvements all but stopped and BMW Sauber once again found themselves the followers with other teams quickly gaining ground.

Despite the downturn in the latter half of the season and driver unrest because of it, the developement of the F1.09 seems to be much further ahead than other teams and maybe that will prove an advantage that can carry on throughout the entire season.