The Secrets of Success for Formula 1 Teams

With the recent Singapore Grand Prix, Formula 1 teams like Scuderia Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Force India, Sauber, Toro Rosso and Haas have benefited from using their products. Due to the high level of competition among F1 teams, Red Bull Racing chose to go with ZF’s carbon clutches while the rest of the teams are equipped with their dampers.

In F1 terms, the clutch consists of three (or more) plates which hold both the driveshaft and engine together by a strong compressive force. Unlike cars, the carbon clutch is an extra paddle that is situated on the steering wheel. It is engineered to optimise aggressive driving behaviour, and it can be customised according to each driver’s requirements.

F1 shock absorbers control spring and suspension movements, this is accompanied by kinetic energy turning into heat energy that is evaporated through the hydraulic fluid. In layman’s terms, they are called dampers, which works in conjunction with the springs and stabilizers that prepares the wheel to transform into kinetic energy of the “unsprung” mass.

Marina Bay Street Circuit is one of the most challenging race tracks of the F1 season, race cars have to go thru tight bends, which are sometimes camber unfriendly, and finish a total of 61 laps with an average lap time of 1 minute and 43 seconds. The longevity of the car parts ensures maximum safety during the race, and it helped both Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen and Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to secure podium finishes.

The extensive know-how acquired on the toughest race track has also been incorporated into the development of on-road products that ZF Aftermarket offers under the Lemförder, Sachs, and TRW product brands. The sophisticated technology and high-quality materials guarantee the best experience for customers at all levels and regions.

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