With the new formula for 2017 (with its wider tires etc.) just around the corner, I thought I'd bring up one of my least favorite eras...the 1978 "ground effects" season. This forum has a large number of savvy Formula 1 fans and as such, this story should have appeal...it's a good story.
Here's the car: Brabham BT46B Alfa Romeo "fan car"
This (5 min.) video of Bernie's Brabham team and Gordon Murray's design says it all:
Note how the car appears as if on rails. Because the fan speed was dictated by engine speed, Lauda had to keep the loud pedal buried.
The Swedish Grand Prix was its only race...it won straight out of the box, then was retired, never to race again.