Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post here all non technical related topics about Formula One. This includes race results, discussions, testing analysis etc. TV coverage and other personal questions should be in Off topic chat.
User avatar
Zynerji
111
Joined: 27 Jan 2016, 16:14

Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

Or do they really use the metric equivalent, and calling them 13 inch rims is just a misnomer?

The things your 13yr old kids ask when inquiring about the cars during testing.. :lol:

Maritimer
19
Joined: 06 Sep 2017, 21:45
Location: Canada

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

330mm is basically exactly 13 inches, but more to the point I'm pretty sure wheels are in imperial everywhere. It's just the global standard. Next year they will be 457mm.

User avatar
godlameroso
309
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 21:27
Location: Miami FL

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

It's funny because every other measurements regarding wheels and tires uses metric values, but not wheel diameter. I guess people are lazy and don't want to use pi so a base 12 system is more conveneint?
Saishū kōnā

3jawchuck
37
Joined: 03 Feb 2015, 08:57

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

It's a nice round number and it is de-facto standard around the world anyway.
I wonder if any pipework and electrical cable uses imperial in current F1 cars.

User avatar
Mr.G
34
Joined: 10 Feb 2010, 22:52
Location: Slovakia

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

3jawchuck wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 08:52
It's a nice round number and it is de-facto standard around the world anyway.
I wonder if any pipework and electrical cable uses imperial in current F1 cars.
Probably Haas documentation :)
Art without engineering is dreaming. Engineering without art is calculating. Steven K. Roberts

Jolle
132
Joined: 29 Jan 2014, 22:58
Location: Dordrecht

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

There are three things in our metric world we still do on inches: rims (from a F1 car up to a kids push bike), televisions/computer screens and vinyl records.
Funny thing is with all of them, any other measurement is done in metric.

Just some leftover from an old system.

Restomaniac
0
Joined: 16 May 2016, 01:09
Location: Hull

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

Jolle wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:14
There are three things in our metric world we still do on inches: rims (from a F1 car up to a kids push bike), televisions/computer screens and vinyl records.
Funny thing is with all of them, any other measurement is done in metric.

Just some leftover from an old system.
I can think of another. However this is a child friendly site so I’ll not name it!

User avatar
Holm86
243
Joined: 10 Feb 2010, 03:37
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

I guess old wagon wheels were measured in inches, probably just carried over and stuck with motorcars

3jawchuck
37
Joined: 03 Feb 2015, 08:57

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

Restomaniac wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:56
Jolle wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:14
There are three things in our metric world we still do on inches: rims (from a F1 car up to a kids push bike), televisions/computer screens and vinyl records.
Funny thing is with all of them, any other measurement is done in metric.

Just some leftover from an old system.
I can think of another. However this is a child friendly site so I’ll not name it!
What, ties?

Restomaniac
0
Joined: 16 May 2016, 01:09
Location: Hull

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

3jawchuck wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 12:11
Restomaniac wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:56
Jolle wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:14
There are three things in our metric world we still do on inches: rims (from a F1 car up to a kids push bike), televisions/computer screens and vinyl records.
Funny thing is with all of them, any other measurement is done in metric.

Just some leftover from an old system.
I can think of another. However this is a child friendly site so I’ll not name it!
What, ties?
No. I’m being very careful here. But think of a certain film industry.

User avatar
jjn9128
769
Joined: 02 May 2017, 23:53

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

The measurements for the sizing to manufacture the tyres/wheels is metric. The outer lip diameter in the regs is <358mm. Inches are used simply because it's what punters understand.
#aerogandalf
"There is one big friend. It is downforce. And once you have this it’s a big mate and it’s helping a lot." Robert Kubica

Mandrake
14
Joined: 31 May 2010, 01:31

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

Restomaniac wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:56
Jolle wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:14
There are three things in our metric world we still do on inches: rims (from a F1 car up to a kids push bike), televisions/computer screens and vinyl records.
Funny thing is with all of them, any other measurement is done in metric.

Just some leftover from an old system.
I can think of another. However this is a child friendly site so I’ll not name it!
At least in German THAT measurement in done centimeters not inches ;) There are even songs about it.....something around 20cm ;)

Or maybe I am talking about something completely different than you :oops:

Restomaniac
0
Joined: 16 May 2016, 01:09
Location: Hull

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

Mandrake wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 12:15
Restomaniac wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:56
Jolle wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:14
There are three things in our metric world we still do on inches: rims (from a F1 car up to a kids push bike), televisions/computer screens and vinyl records.
Funny thing is with all of them, any other measurement is done in metric.

Just some leftover from an old system.
I can think of another. However this is a child friendly site so I’ll not name it!
At least in German THAT measurement in done centimeters not inches ;) There are even songs about it.....something around 20cm ;)

Or maybe I am talking about something completely different than you :oops:
7.874in then. Impressive!

3jawchuck
37
Joined: 03 Feb 2015, 08:57

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

Restomaniac wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 12:13
3jawchuck wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 12:11
Restomaniac wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 10:56
I can think of another. However this is a child friendly site so I’ll not name it!
What, ties?
No. I’m being very careful here. But think of a certain film industry.
Of course you're talking about dicks. However, don't you remember the "tie measuring contest" during the last election build-up? Or did you mercifully miss out on all that nonsense.

Restomaniac
0
Joined: 16 May 2016, 01:09
Location: Hull

Re: Why is rim size the only Imperial unit on an F1 car?

Post

3jawchuck wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 12:24
Restomaniac wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 12:13
3jawchuck wrote:
27 Feb 2020, 12:11

What, ties?
No. I’m being very careful here. But think of a certain film industry.
Of course you're talking about dicks. However, don't you remember the "tie measuring contest" during the last election build-up? Or did you mercifully miss out on all that nonsense.
How very rebellious of you :wink: :lol:

No I missed that......Thankfully :lol:

Post Reply