Formula 1 is about to get new regulations, which
could bring the end of the open cockpit. The new
rules will be made for the safety of the drivers, as the concept of an open
cockpit could become extremely dangerous in the event of an accident.
Furthermore, Formula 1 drivers risk being hit by debris while in an open
cockpit, and the damage could be extensive.
For that reason, Formula 1 teams have been testing
various solutions to protect the drivers, but all of them brought potential
limitations concerning visibility while maintaining the idea of an open
cockpit.
One British designer has published his view of a
potential Formula 1 car could look in 2020. His name is Sean Bull, and he is
from Coventry. Currently, he is working at CAD CAM Automotive, but had previous
engagements with the Lotus F1 Team and Aston Martin Lagonda, according to his
Linkedin profile.
Sean Bull studied Automotive Design at the Coventry
University, and his profile on Behance shows that he likes to make various
liveries of racing cars. He also has a passion for vintage racing liveries,
which we understand entirely.
The designer published a concept called Bugatti
101P, which is his opinion on what Bugatti would bring to Formula 1 if the
brand entered the most expensive branch in motorsport in 2020.
Sean Bull did more than just a rendering, as he even
imagined an innovative powertrain solution for the car. He thinks that F1
racers could use the “Tesla Turbine.” The term has no link to Tesla Motors, but
to legendary inventor Nikola Tesla, who patented this propulsion solution in
1913.
The designer’s idea is that this engine solution is
the optimal proposition for Formula 1, as it brings a high level of efficiency
without missing out on reliability. A
brief explanation of the concept behind the Tesla Turbine involves a set of
smooth disks that have nozzles, which apply a moving fluid to the edge of the
disk. The unit operates using the principle of centripetal flow, and operates
at up to 95% efficiency.
