rec.autos.simulators

Does anyone know if an F1 driver hears the noise of the wind at higher
speeds?

The reason I ask, is that my only racetrack experience is on
motorcycles, and I have found, that even on a very loud 1000cc V-Twin
bike, once you pass about 200km/h, the noise of the wind rushing
around your helmet, is actually greater than the sound of the engine,
and gives you a fantastic sensation of speed. Note this is on a sports
bike with a fairing, which creates a partial vacuum around the rider
at higher speeds.

I would imagine that an F1 drivers head would have a little bit more
wind protection, but would still be exposed enough to hear the wind
rush.

If this is the case, it should be in the sims, as it does wonders for
the feeling of speed.

  I don't know about F1.  But last summer I finally made it to a CART
Indycar event in Portland.  The first thing I noticed different from the
TV broadcasts was the rushing wind/air noise the cars produced while
flying down the main straight.  CHAMP cars still have ground effects
tunnels so that may have been what produced the noise but it was cool.  I
really don't know if the drivers could hear that, but even with the Turbos
at full spin the rushing wind noise was clearly heard over the engine
noises.
dave henrie