Audi technology in F1?

["Brandon Hull" <brandon@cardinalventures.com>]

Sorry if someone's already mentioned this, but I just got around to reading
the March Road & Track.  Anyone see the sidebar article on the possible F1
adaptation of Audi BTTC differential technology?

Apparently, when Audi was forced to go to front wheel drive for the last
year of their BTTC effort, some bright light there decided to tackle the
problem of controlling the speed of the inside rear tire while cornering.
The wheel, being unweighted and undriven, is inclined to lock up.  As the
wheel is weighted again upon completion of the turn, the car's balance is
slightly upset by the drag caused by bringing that wheel up to speed again.
Audi's solution was to link the two undriven rear wheels with light
halfshafts joined at a differential, which allowed them to manage the speed
of the inside wheel resulting in smoother transitions.

Several F1 teams are experimenting with adapting this to the front wheels.
Initially there was a rules concern that the setup constituted an anti-lock
braking device, but FIA subsequently gave it's blessing.

In the article Audi was mentioned as "knowing more than anyone about
differentials."

I'm paraphrasing from memory here and may have missed some details, but
thought the article was intriguing.

Brandon Hull
'91 ersatz S2