Originally Posted by
Nitrodaze
How do ground effect differ from downforce generated from aerofoiled rear wings? Both generate downforce from the movement of the car forward. The faster the the car is travelling, the higher the downforce generated. They both lose downforce when the car decelerates. The effects of sudden elevation of the car from the ground may have different effect on the two systems. I suspect the aerofoiled rear wing would dampen the landing of the car such that it does not bounce along the track but lands and stick back to the tarmac and continues with little loss of grip and speed.
I doubt ground effect would have the same outcome. As the venturi effect would be lost when the car elevates off the ground. When it lands, l wonder if the venturi effect would immediately re-initialize. I suspect it would only re-initialize when the car regains stability and is level on the tarmac again. Hence, how the car would behave when it lands on the tarmac would be more turbulent than in the case od the aerofoiled rear wing. That said, l have not taken into account what role the smaller rear wing on the new car would play in this circumstances. There is some downforce generated by this new rear wing, hence the landing of the car would be more controlled and would serve to help re-engage the venturi effect and consequently re-establish some level of downforce on the car.
Just thinking out loud, people :-)