Sources:

Cebula, Kerri. ““WE DON’T WANT OUR COMPETITORS TO SEE IT:” PROTECTING RACE CAR ENGINES AS A TRADE SECRET.” Marquette Law, 2021, https://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1807&context=sportslaw. Accessed 8 Apr 2025.

Collantine, Keith. “Alonso was wrongly blamed over ‘Spygate’ scandal – de la Rosa.” RaceFans.net, March 2020, https://www.racefans.net/2020/03/18/alonso-was-wrongly-blamed-over-spygate-scandal-de-la-rosa/. Accessed 8 Apr 2025.

Lakhani, Shirin. “Trade Secrets and Industrial Espionage in Formula One Motorsports.” Academia, 2018, https://www.academia.edu/33210704/Trade_Secrets_and_Industrial_Espionage_in_Formula_One_Motorsports. Accessed 8 Apr 2025.

Patil, Eeshita. “Secrets in the Pitlanes : Navigating IPR In Formula 1.” IIPRD, 16 Feb 2024, https://www.iiprd.com/secrets-in-the-pitlanes-navigating-ipr-in-formula-1/. Accessed 8 Apr 2025.

Spurgan, Brad. “McLaren fined $100 million in Formula One spying scandal.” The New York Times, 15 Sept. 2007, https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/sports/13iht-prix.5.7500107.html. Accessed 8 Apr 2025.

Works Cited

“ANALYSIS: Comparing the key differences between the 2021 and 2022 F1 car designs | Formula 1®.” F1, 15 

July 2021, https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/analysis-comparing-the-key-differences-between-

the-2021-and-2022-f1-car.4xYDhtOjDee4cEQ3P4RsK9. Accessed 30 October 2024.

Belgaid, Abdelghani. “Statistical Analysis of the Impact of FIA Regulations on Safety, 

Racing Dynamics, and Spectacle in Formula 1.” ResearchGate, October 2024, 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384937355_Statistical_Analysis_of_

the_Impact_of_FIA_Regulations_on_Safety_Racing_Dynamics_and_Spectacle_i

n_Formula_1. Accessed 3 February 2025.

“Destined to crash : fatal crashes in F1-racing.” Digital Archive of the University of 

Jyväskylä, University of Jyväskylä, 2024, 

https://jyx.jyu.fi/jyx/Record/jyx_123456789_93654?locale-attribute=en. 

Accessed 3 February 2025.

Kempema, James Michael. “Formula One: a ‘crash’ course in motorsports medicine.” 

PubMed Central, 15 April 2024, 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11029468/. Accessed 12 February 

2025.

Saunders, Nate, and ESPN. “Max Verstappen reveals he raced with blurred vision 

after 2021 Silverstone crash.” ESPN, July 2024, 

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/40590355/max-verstappen-reveals-race

d-blurred-vision-silverstone-crash-2021. Accessed 3 February 2025.

Works Cited

Abdullah, M. A., et al. “Development of formula varsity race car chassis.” IOP Science, 16 December 2024, https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/50/1/012001/meta. Accessed 2013.

Hodge, Stuart. “EXCLUSIVE: Verstappen setup quirk which allows Red Bull to make car even faster.” GPFans, 7 September 2023, https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1003329/max-verstappen-red-bull-f1-setup-faster/. Accessed 19 December 2024.

McClendon, Emma. “Jeans: Universal and Unsustainable.” American Association of Colleges and Universities, 9 December 2024, https://www.aacu.org/podcasts/academicminute/2024-12-emma-mcclendon-st-johns-university-jeans-universal-and-unsustainable. Accessed 19 December 2024.

Purtle, Johnathan. “Implementing the 988 lifeline.” American Association of Colleges and Universities, 1 November 2024, https://www.aacu.org/podcasts/academicminute/2024-11-jonathan-purtle-new-york-university-implementing-the-988-lifeline. Accessed 16 December 2024.

Sky News. “What's most important for F1 success - car and team, or driver? Eight-season study gives an answer.”   Sky News, 6 July 2022, https://news.sky.com/story/whats-most-important-for-f1-success-car-and-team-or-       driver-eight-season-study-gives-an-answer-12646848. Accessed 19 December 2024.

November SDA:  “Inside the Mind of… Biography project.

Task: Choose a technology and present to your audience a famous perspective as it relates to your topic. Ex - If your research topic is astronomy - Present the final thoughts of Giordano Bruno as he was being burned at the stake. 

Adrian Newey: The Einstein of Formula One → How does he display the extent of the differences between old designs vs. modern day designs of Formula 1 cars?

Formula 1 began in 1953, with the Alfa Romeo 158. Since then, the engineering of cars has changed a lot throughout time. Changes usually occur through the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile - they regulate many of the motorsport associations). This organization creates new regulations, often surrounding safety,  and engineering restrictions relatively often in Formula 1, which forces the engineers to push forward and adapt their car in a way where it will perform the best on the track.

Adrian Newey started in July of 1979, working as a junior aerodynamicist for the Fittipaldi Automotive Formula 1 team. Fittipaldi would eventually shift into March and then Leyton House. Newey would go on to work for the different teams of Williams, McLaren, and most recently, Red Bull Racing. He is set to start working for Aston Martin in 2025. In the 45 years he has contributed to Formula One, he has gathered 12 World Constructor’s Championships (Total Team Points) and 13 World Drivers Championships. He is known for being able to adapt his car, regardless of the regulation changes that may be introduced. Newey is a known enigma in the motorsport community and together, we will dive into a few of his graceful designs throughout the years. What do we think he was thinking?

1988 – F1’s aerodynamic template

The average car during the mid-1980s was boxy and bulging. While Newey’s car didn’t win a single race that year, he set a precedent in terms of aerodynamic capability.

"The cars of this time are usually designed to package the potent turbocharged engines. They don’t consider the benefits of aerodynamics. Our car has a weaker engine…if we want a chance to compete, we need to focus on aerodynamics. What if we introduce a nose/front wing assembly? This could work! The nose and wing would increase downforce to its maximum!"

Newey was, of course, correct as time has told. These ideas spread around the track and to each international team, which eventually adopted this style was the years continued. 

        1988 March 881     1992 Williams-Renault FW14B

Car images in the carousel below.

The 1992 Williams-Renault FW14B was Newey’s first title-winning car. In its season it dominated. It had the fastest lap in ALL 16 races, winning 10 of those races. As chief designer of Williams at the time, Newey used his aerodynamic theories of the March 881 and directly evolved them into the FW14B.

1998 – Narrow track car concept 

          1998 McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13

Car images in the carousel below.

FIA REGULATION→ 1989: Turbo engines were banned

"With the banning of turbo engines, we need to spend more time focusing on aerodynamics, something we are skilled at. Let’s make the car longer length wise. This way, we can increase downforce. The long wheelbase will better the downforce and narrow our overall width to concentrate the air flow in an optimal direction."

This design choice along with the newly introduced grooved tires lead to an increase of stability within the 1998 McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13, as seen in the low center of gravity and lowline surface. This engineering design decision led to McLaren to win the World Constructors Championship and for one of their drivers, Mika Häkkinen, to win the World Drivers Championship.

2010 – Exhaust-blown diffuser 

FIA REGULATION → 2009: Aerodynamic regulations were changed, with lower and wider front wings and higher and narrower rear wings

"With the new regulations, new aerodynamic concepts need to be introduced. Perchance, we can maximize on the idea of a potential double diffuser. This would manage the airflow under the car and reduce the drag that could slow the car down. With a lengthened rear end and a modified rear suspension, it is possible to get into the lead this season!"

While the Brawn F1 team was the most popular during the 2010 season, Red Bull, with the aid of Newey, was cooking up an exhaust-blown diffuser. Diffusers regulate the airflow occurring underneath the 2010 Red Bull-Renault RB6. While the type of diffuser was first investigated in the early 1980s, it was rerouted and re-introduced for the 2010 season and led to Red Bull winning the World Constructors Championship and Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull winning the World Drivers Championship.

     2010 Red Bull-Renault RB6

Car images in the carousel below.

2022 – New ground-effect template 

FIA REGULATION →2022: Ground effect returned

Ground effect is a technique that manipulates airflow around a car and makes the car stick to the ground. Bringing back this concept allowed Newey to continue using a process he was using before it was taken away in 1983 due to safety concerns.

"Our car has already shown to be dependable over the last year. With the return of ground effect, I can continue something I already know and understand. I can use this knowledge of the past and apply it to the future. The adjusted ground effect will allow us to take corners quicker and have a better flow through the air."

Newey’s past experiences were very helpful in the aspect of using safe ground effects. As seen in the 2023 Red Bull-Honda RBPT RB19, pictured below, the bottom of the vehicle is very sleek. This allows the underside of the racecar to aid in the aerodynamics in its movement through the air.

2023 Red Bull-Honda RBPT RB19

Car images in the carousel below.

Underneath the 2023 Red Bull-Honda RBPT RB19 after Sergio Perez’s crash in Monaco

Overall, Newey’s ingenious engineering mindset is unlike any seen in the sport of Formula 1 before. The way he adapted to each regulation and change showed his perseverance as an engineer. Adrian Newey showed how old designs of cars changed into new designs over time. With his impeccably trained skill, Newey deserves the respect he has within the motorsport community.

Works Cited

Boxall, Jake. “Perez: "I cannot believe what I've done" in Monaco F1 qualifying crash.” Motorsport.com, 28 May 2023, https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/perez-i-cannot-believe-what-ive-done-in-monaco-f1-qualifying-crash/10474424/. Accessed 20 November 2024.

“An innovator and trendsetter – Adrian Newey's greatest F1 contributions | Formula 1®.” F1, 16 May 2024, https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/an-innovator-and-trendsetter-adrian-neweys-greatest-f1-contributions.3tFYlbhEcckb7cJAwKFTuy. Accessed 20 November 2024.

“McLaren MP4/13 | Formula 1 Wiki | Fandom.” Formula 1 Wiki, https://f1.fandom.com/wiki/McLaren_MP4/13. Accessed 20 November 2024.

“The size and weight of modern F1 cars.” Autosport, 02 February 2019, https://forums.autosport.com/topic/220634-the-size-and-weight-of-modern-f1-cars-merged/. Accessed 20 November 2024.

October SDA - Infographic

Task: Using Canva, Docs, Slides, or another accessible site, your task is to create an engaging infographic. This is based on the most recently engaged with "Need to Know" (Post #6 - September 30th).