La Formula 2 says goodbye to pneumatic guns for the tire change. Following the experiments carried out in the past season, the category has decided to approve the use of electric guns. A step towards sustainability and safety that one day even Formula 1 could take.
Bye bye pneumatics: here comes the electric guns
The tests that took place during the Italian Grand Prix and on the Yas Marina circuit gave positive results. The new electric guns, used for pit stops, have been definitively approved from Formula 2.”The reason? a cleaner and therefore safer pit lane” explained the CEO of F2, Bruno Michel. Therefore, those cumbersome structures will no longer be needed which feed the guns with compressed air through cylinders and long wires.
The experimentation that took place previously was made possible thanks to the collaboration of a leading company of screwdrivers, Dino Paoli. To take part in the prototype testing it was the teams and the mechanics. Through i feedback collected was possible optimize the electric gun regarding the aspect of ergonomics and details such as the position of the button used to reverse the rotation.
F2, start a sustainability test
Il world of motorsports he is striving to become more environmentally sustainable. This is not only done by the highest category, but also by the other Formulas, which are more they lend themselves to developing techniques which in the future could also be used in Formula 1.
From this season, in Formula 2, through the collaboration with Aramco, an attempt has been made to introduce the use of more environmentally friendly fuels. Zero-impact petrol is a point of arrival, or rather, the goal they have set themselves to achieve by 2027.
Further sustainability is given by the introduction of these new electric guns for pit stops. The abandonment of pneumatic guns he lifted a weight, literally. THE team have lightened one baggage of 100/200 kg, decreasing in addition to the transport costs, also the emissions.
The list of pros and cons
The initial cost of pneumatic guns is high and it must also be considered that these they need maintenance. The money that teams spend on pneumatic maintenance equals the list price of electric guns. The least cost it is certainly a further pro, which adds to the list of advantages.
THEonly against underlined by the technical director Didier Perrin it's the speed. There is talk of tenths of a second more than the quickest pit stops made with the compressed air pistol. Nothing to worry about since what is lost in speed, is regained in constancy. The lightness and ease of use of electrics make pit stops constant, an aspect that is often lacking with pneumatics.
The landing in Formula 1 of electric pistols does not appear at the moment on the horizon, however the use in the cadet category, which will run this weekend will certainly not go unnoticed!
SOURCE: Motorsport.com
