Ferrari weight distribution

[Belatti]

Kimi, weight distribution changes due to driver weight and also fuel consumption is allowed because they are a consequense of racing the car.
What is not allowed is to move ballast position.

The car balance changes from full tank to empty tank and the drivers has to adjust their driving cause of this.

[Saribro]

how do they change the weight distribution??
...
but how do they keep it constant to maintain the balance of the car??

They don't. They can try to compensate a little by adjusting brake bias and differential settings and such.
A car-design that puts the fueltank as close to the CoG of the car as possible, would make the difference the smallest, but there's only so much you can do.
In the end, the balance changes, and the drivers have to deal with it.

[modbaraban]

Ferrari definitly wants enough weight at the front:

Erm... why does this thing has wiring coming into it?!

[Giblet]

This may be helpful.

http://www.concordeagreement.com/balance4.jpg[/url]

[donskar]

Lots of interesting talk here about the IF and AMOUNT of Ferrari weight distribution. And I'll bet some of you know the WHY in some terms.

For the rest of us, this from the Dec 14, 2006 Autosport F1 2006 Review (page 21) might be informative:

This is Bridgestone's Hisao Suganuma being interviewed by Autosport's Mark Hughes:

Suganuma: "Compared with last year [2006] the strength of both front and rear constructions is reduced [in the 2007 Bridgestone F1 tire], but by less at the front than at the rear. For the work they have to do, the rear is not as strong a construction as the front and this gives an understeer tendency."

Hughes: "So it would help teams if they could get weight away from the rear and towards the front?"

Suganuma: "Yes, definitely. That would help with durability and performance of the tires."

[Belatti]

Very interesting donskar, thanks!

I didn´t knew that Bridgestone tyres thing, for sure you can bet that wieght distribution inter-depends with tyres construction, suspension geometry, aero center of pressure and more.

Also you can bet that rear tyres will change in 2008 to help compensate the abscence of traction control.

[Jersey Tom]

You can make a car handle very well regardless of if its 45/55, 50/50, or 55/45. Tires and suspension are both enormous contributors.

Keep in mind when these cars get on the track, think about of the total downward force on the car, how much is from mass and how much is from aero downforce?

[bizadfar]

thanx mate..
but yeah this is against the rules.
so my question still remains.
how do they change the weight distribution??
coz during a race weight distribution changes due to driver weight n also fuel consumption..
but how do they keep it constant to maintain the balance of the car??

brake bias helps to a point. Most depends on Fuel tank design. For example the Super Aguri were good with lots of fuel, but no improvement when getting light = bad car.

[MrT]

Ferrari definitly wants enough weight at the front:

Erm... why does this thing has wiring coming into it?!

Because I'm pretty sure it's a laser optic ride height sensor mounted down there.

[bizadfar]

It's movable and detachable. Turn it a bit, then hit "release" on the wheel, it you will shoot between the air intake side pod/front suspension into the car that is about to overtake you. It will pierce the radiator and race over for them.

[kimi]

[Conceptual]

I know it means ZERO, but in Gran Turismo 4 for the PS2, I find that a 70/30 front heavy weight distribution with brake bias to match has allowed me to lower my laptimes by over 1s.

I know its just a game, but by moving the weight forward like this (i did it in response to PDLR comment about "moving the weight forward"), I had to rename the car. I now call it Spike, cause that is how you drive it. You pound it in like a Spike.

Now consistancy of perfect laps goes down for me, but for a Quali situation, it owns BIG TIME.

Anyways, my 2cents...

Chris

[flynfrog]

I know it means ZERO, but in Gran Turismo 4 for the PS2, I find that a 70/30 front heavy weight distribution with brake bias to match has allowed me to lower my laptimes by over 1s.

I know its just a game, but by moving the weight forward like this (i did it in response to PDLR comment about "moving the weight forward"), I had to rename the car. I now call it Spike, cause that is how you drive it. You pound it in like a Spike.

Now consistancy of perfect laps goes down for me, but for a Quali situation, it owns BIG TIME.

Anyways, my 2cents...

Chris

ON what car?

It would have such terrible understeer you would have to be really slow in a corner. I guess it would be very safe to drive