Dallara F2 2018

The Dallara F2 2018 (originally known as the Dallara F2/18)[2] is an open-wheel racing car developed by Italian manufacturer Dallara for use in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, a feeder-series for Formula One. The F2 2018 is the second car used by the FIA Formula 2 Championship and was introduced for the 2018 championship as a replacement for the aging Dallara GP2/11 chassis.[3] As the Formula 2 Championship is a spec series, the F2 2018 is raced by every team and driver competing in the series. The F2 2018 was Dallara's first ever turbo-powered Formula 2 car and also the first turbo-powered Formula 1 junior feeder-series car since the Dallara GP3/10 in the GP3 Series.

Dallara F2 2018
Nyck de Vries driving an F2 2018 at the Red Bull Ring in 2019
CategoryFIA Formula 2
ConstructorDallara
Designer(s)Luca Pignacca
PredecessorDallara GP2/11
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque with honeycomb structure
Suspension (front)Pushrod operated double steel wishbones with twin dampers and torsion bars suspension
Suspension (rear)Pushrod operated double steel wishbones with twin dampers and spring suspension
Length5,224 mm (206 in)
Width1,900 mm (75 in)
Height1,097 mm (43 in)
Wheelbase3,135 mm (123 in)
EngineMecachrome V634T 3.4 L (207 cu in) V6 engine with 95° cylinder bank with 4-stroke piston Otto cycle single-turbocharged, longitudinally mounted in a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive layout
TransmissionHewland LFSC-200 6-speed + 1 reverse sequential semi-automatic paddle-shift with limited-slip differential
BatteryMagneti Marelli MMYX9 12 volts lithium battery
Power620 hp (462 kW)
Weight720 kg (1,587 lb)
FuelElf LMS 89.6 MON, 101.6 RON unleaded
LubricantsElf HTX 840
BrakesCarbone Industrie carbon brake discs with Brembo six-piston calipers and pads
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry) and Pirelli Cinturato (intermediate and wet) tyres
O.Z. racing wheels
ClutchZF Sachs carbon clutch
Competition history
Debut2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship, Bahrain round

Design

History

Dallara began the development, design, and construction of the F2/18 chassis in late 2015. The first F2/18 chassis was assembled in May 2017, with the first vehicle completed in early July 2017. The Dallara F2/18 was given a private shakedown in mid-July 2017 at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.[4] Codenamed F2/18 it was intended to see its first race in the 2018 season. During the teaser of unveiling on Formula 2's Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, Dallara decided to rename the F2/18 as F2 2018 in a reference for the new car naming year. Replacing the successful Dallara GP2/11 which had been raced since 2011 GP2 Series season, the F2 2018 had large shoes to fill. Built by Dallara at Dallara's main factory plant headquarters in Varano de' Melegari, Parma, Italy. On 27 August 2017 it was announced that the car would incorporate the Halo cockpit protection device for the 2018 season and beyond.[5] The completed Dallara F2 2018 car was revealed during the race weekend at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 31 August 2017.[6]

Chassis construction and aerodynamics

The design of the car incorporates a lower nose, wider and lower rear wing, and a wider and curved front wing compared to the Dallara GP2/11 as the series adopts regulations more aesthetically in line with Formula One. The "shark fin" engine cover—a carbon fibre panel extending backwards from the engine cowling—was retained but its profile was lowered.[7] While most of the car's mechanical parts were developed specifically for the F2 2018, the car continued to use the same tyres, fuel tank and brakes as the GP2/11.[4] In 2020, the car will use 18-inch wheels to allow Pirelli to gather data on how the larger tyres would work.

The design also features the "halo" cockpit protection device, a wishbone-shaped frame mounted to the monocoque designed to deflect debris away from a driver's head in the event of an accident.[8]

The car's rear wing still incorporates the drag reduction system (DRS) rear wing flap, for the purpose of improving overtaking maneuver assist.

Cockpit

The car's cockpit size also has been lengthened compared to the GP2/11. The steering wheel is completely different as it uses a single-seat Formula 2451 S3 steering wheel compared to the XAP single-seat carbon steering wheel used in the GP2/11.

Engine package

The F2 2018 features a brand-new engine package built specifically for the car. The aging Mecachrome 4.0 L (244 cu in) V8 naturally-aspirated port electronic indirect-injected engine—which had been used since the inaugural 2005 season of the GP2 Series—was replaced by a fuel-efficient 3.4 L (207 cu in) V6 turbocharged direct-injected engine developed by Mecachrome Motorsport (V634 Turbo model).[9] During the car's shakedown and preliminary testing phase at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, drivers noted that the change from natural aspiration to a turbocharger meant that the F2 2018 required a different driving style to its predecessor, the GP2/11,[10] as the turbocharger produced more torque and thus required the driver to exercise greater control over the throttle.[11]

Van Der Lee Turbo Systems currently supplies turbocharger kits for all Mecachrome V634T engines.

Fuel and lubricants

Elf would remain as an official preferred fuel and lubricant supplier for all FIA Formula 2 Championship entrants due to in fact Mecachrome and Elf has a long-term technical partnership since 1969.

Further development

The F2 2018 went through a development programme after its début, with the car's launch control being the initial focus. The software of the electronic control unit was rewritten, introducing a new throttle map in a bid to prevent the car from stalling.[12] The issue was attributed to difficulty in finding the bite point, or the point where the clutch engaged with the driveline to launch the car.[13] Further updates were introduced to the car in June 2018 that were aimed at improving reliability and making the car easier to start.[14][15]

Retail cost

The retail cost of the complete chassis package excluding the engine is currently up to 500,000 EUR (450,410 GBP; 550,367.5 USD) per car, while the Mecachrome V634T engine unit cost is up to 67,000 EUR (60,355 GBP; 73,741.88 USD) per unit.

Controversies

The car gained a reputation as being difficult to drive as the turbocharged engine required a more delicate touch on the throttle than the GP2/11. The opening five rounds of the 2018 championship saw several drivers stalling on the starting grid, prompting criticism of the design, led by drivers Artem Markelov, Lando Norris and George Russell.[16][17][18][19] The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile—the governing body of motorsport—also expressed concerns, with race director Charlie Whiting regularly examining the system.[13] With no apparent solution to the problems, Norris expressed concerns that the stalling issue would ultimately settle the drivers' championship title,[18] while Arjun Maini suggested that it was causing irreparable damage to their careers.[20] Further criticism was also directed at reliability issues that prevented drivers from starting races.[19] Series organiser Bruno Michel acknowledged that the car had too many problems at its launch,[21] but argued that the introduction of the F2 2018 was necessary in light of the obsolete GP2/11 chassis,[14] a view shared by team principals.[22] The series introduced rolling starts as a temporary solution to the problem.[23] The changes were introduced as the 2018 calendar featured three rounds over three consecutive weeks, making the introduction of a lasting solution difficult.[24] Drivers expressed disappointment with the decision to use rolling starts, but also noted its necessity on safety grounds. A start-line accident in a Formula 3 race saw Ameya Vaidyanathan, starting from the eleventh row of the grid, crash into the stationary car of Dan Ticktum after Ticktum stalled, prompting concerns of a similar accident happening in Formula 2.[25] A similar accident happened at the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi when Nicholas Latifi stalled on the grid and Arjun Maini was unable to avoid hitting him. Both drivers escaped unhurt.

Fatal accidents

The F2 2018 was the first Dallara F2 chassis to suffer a fatality in FIA Formula 2 Championship to date, when Anthoine Hubert was killed in a crash during the feature race at the 2019 Belgian round.

See also

References
  1. "F2 2018 unveiled in Monza". fiaformula2.com. FIA Formula 2 Championship. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  2. "F2 reveals new car, confirms halo from 2018". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  3. Khorounzhiy, Valentin (16 December 2016). "GP2 aiming for V6 switch, but not wider tyres for 2018 car". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  4. Kalinauckas, Alex (20 July 2017). "Further details of next-generation F2 car revealed". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  5. "New F2 car to incorporate Halo for 2018". Racer.com. Racer Media Group. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  6. "Dallara F2 2018 unveiled in Monza". Dallara.it. Dallara Automobili S.p.A. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  7. Kalinauckas, Alex. "F2 boss reveals details of 2018 car". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  8. "New F2 car revealed, to feature halo device". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  9. Noble, Jonathan (24 November 2015). "Exclusive: Mecachrome applies for Formula 1 engine tender". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  10. "Fruitful shakedown for new F2 2018 car". fiaformula2.com. FIA Formula 2 Championship. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  11. Kalinauckas, Alex. "Turbocharged new Formula 2 car for 2018 requires new driving style". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  12. Benyon, Jack (11 May 2018). "Formula 2 car start fix introduced, drivers say it's 'very tricky'". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  13. Mitchell, Scott; Benyon, Jack (16 May 2018). "FIA wants F2 start fix assurance before clutch system use in Monaco". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  14. Benyon, Jack (7 June 2018). "Formula 2 boss defends the decision to introduce 2018 car". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  15. Benyon, Jack (28 June 2018). "Formula 2 'working day and night' to fix new 2018 car". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  16. Khorounzhiy, Valentin. "New 2018 Formula 2 car should have been delayed - Artem Markelov". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  17. Benyon, Jack (24 June 2018). "Paul Ricard F2: De Vries and Prema win, new car problems continue". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  18. Benyon, Jack (24 June 2018). "Lando Norris: 'Really bad' new car issues will decide F2 title". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  19. Benyon, Jack (26 June 2018). "Mercedes F1 junior Russell 'fears' F2 car problems in every session". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  20. Vinel, Benjamin; Klein, Jamie (24 June 2018). "Formula 2 car problems 'killing' careers - Haas F1 junior Maini". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  21. Benyon, Jack (6 June 2018). "Formula 2 boss Bruno Michel: 2018 car had too many early problems". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  22. Benyon, Jack (28 June 2018). "Team bosses call for calm over F2 car start and throttle problems". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  23. Benyon, Jack (29 June 2018). "Rolling safety car starts for Red Bull Ring, Silverstone F2 races". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  24. Herrero, Dan (30 June 2018). "Rolling starts for F2 due to clutch issues". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  25. Benyon, Jack (30 June 2018). "The real reason Formula 2 has switched to rolling starts". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
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