Research and development...or, when some bloke wants to try those new bits of kit in real life.
A fascinating part of racing, as with any boundary adventure is adapting new methods of attack, to address overall performance. Having extreme longevity as a chassis, the 49 was one of the most evolved during it's time.
As the versions morphed through the years, power and drive systems remained relatively stable. Chassis, suspension, tires and aerodynamics with sub component relocation were the work of the day.
Here we see the R8 of Siffert at Brands Hatch in 69...and the first vestiges of the nose nacelle's on Rindt's entry, which were introduced quite eariler. The object of removing the high pressure area and stacked air behind the radiator into the front bulkhead. With improving cooling as a benefit, these ducts not only lowered the dirty internal turbulence but increased the down force in front of the nose, and also added a greater exit speed creating a higher negative air flow on to the body forward to the cockpit. With adjustable wing slats, wicker bill, and side end plates soon followed, to manage and control increased load effects.
Before the wind tunnels...
The black art of Aerodynamics was living in the pit lane every weekend, along with the clinched butt cheeks of all the drivers. ld
