Active suspensions: they were so good that they were banned.
Imagine a car that “thinks” for itself, adjusting its height and stability at every corner, bump or braking to maximize its performance. That's how active suspensions worked in Formula 1.
Happy New Year!
How was your Christmas? I admit that I was looking forward to get back to the routine, I took “school vacations” and I ended up being stuffed.
The good thing is that I've had a good binge of writing and I've finished a book that had been in the oven for a long time. If you stay until the end of the post I'll show it to you, I think you might like it.
In today's post I tell you about a technical breakthrough that made the Williams Formula 1 team win a championship, but maybe you are more familiar with the mythical Citroën DS (although it was not exactly the same thing).
What were active suspensions?
Unlike traditional suspensions, which rely on mechanical springs and dampers, active suspensions used sensors, hydraulics and electronics to adjust the ride height and stiffness of the car in real time. This allowed:
Maintain optimal aerodynamics: the car was always kept at the perfect height to maximize ground effect (another day we'll talk about this) and downforce.
Improve grip: adjusted the stiffness at each wheel to provide maximum contact with the asphalt, even in tight corners or bumpy circuits.
Reduced tire wear: by avoiding sudden movements and maintaining stability, better wheel performance was achieved.
The impact on F1
The system was perfected by Williams in 1992, and the FW14B, driven by Nigel Mansell, dominated the season, winning 10 of the 16 races. The advantage was so obvious that other teams soon tried to develop their own versions.
What happened next?
Although active suspensions were an impressive technological breakthrough, they also posed problems, such as exorbitant costs, little impact of the driver on the handling or an excessive advantage of the teams that could afford them (they played in another league).
For this reason, the FIA banned them in 1994 to equalize performance between teams and nowadays, suspensions must be fully mechanical.
Are there road cars with active suspensions?
Yes, and some iconic models have taken this technology to the roads. A great example is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, especially in its most recent versions with the E-Active Body Control system. This system not only adjusts the suspension in real time to offer a more comfortable and safer ride, but it can also “predict” potholes through cameras and prepare the wheels to cushion the impact.
Here is a “simplified” diagram of its configuration:
Another classic example is the Citroën DS, a car that, although it did not have electronic active suspensions, introduced the revolutionary hydropneumatic suspension, precursor of modern systems. When I was a kid I used to gawk at how this car would “magically” go up on start-up.
Let's go to the book 📖
I've told you once or twice: one of my greatest passions is Formula 1. Maybe my love for mechanics has a lot to do with it, the fact is that for as long as I can remember I've been passionate about car racing (more than motorcycle racing, don't ask me why).
If, like me, you are interested in the ins and outs of F1, I recommend you my last book “Formula 1: Stories and Legends”, in it I tell you little stories and anecdotes that have marked this sport (similar to the one I have told you in the mail).
Clicking on the image you have more details, I hope you like it! 🚗🏁:
That's all for today, see you in 15 days with more mechanical curiosities.