Comparison of all 2011 cars

[raymondu999]

That's what I heard too. Potentially there is a shorter radius that can be turned, but that is probably negated by the lateral acceleration needed?

[mx_tifoso]

Do you say that because of the higher CofG?

[raymondu999]

I say that because probably the moments... or "torque" needed, at that longer length, you'd need a greater force? If we take the rear axles as the pivot for example, the longer wheelbase, technically, could turn "easier," using less lateral force from the tyres onto the car to accelerate it laterally? It's that thing with force x distance from pivot = torque. My physics is rusty so I could be talking rubbish.

[mx_tifoso]

I thought you were referring to the SWB cars, hence my "higher CofG" comment.

[luca]

Could a long/short wheelbase affect tyre wear?

Also, could a long/short wheelbase help make a car "pointy" or stable?

P.S.: just out of curiosity, does anyone remember if Schumacher generally used a longer or shorter wheelbase car in the years he won the various WDCs?

[raymondu999]

I always he had long, so that the weight could sit a long way back of the front axles and he had a pointier car

[luca]

I don't understand why Mercedes would go for a shorter wheelbase then.

[raymondu999]

Doesn't make a difference this year, the weight distribution is fixed

[myurr]

Doesn't make a difference this year, the weight distribution is fixed

Makes a difference to the aero though, less floor area, tighter bodywork with less scope for clean flow to the rear of the car.

[Pedro]

I was trying to compare the cars aligned by their center. Resampled by wheel size but they are shot from different angles so not perfect.

Looking for better pictures, then I will try to do better job after Barcelona.

[HampusA]

I decided to make one of my own

Lined up the rear wheel diameter but had trouble finding good pictures. Did however see Pedros post just now and never thought about using their own photos to.

Tell me what you think. It´s not that big of a difference between the cars as you first thought with the first picture someone provided.

[HampusA]

Could someone guide me to the pictures used in the first post?

They are perfect and i´ll put down some time to line up the back wheel and the front wheel if possible.

[volarchico]

Could someone guide me to the pictures used in the first post?

They are perfect and i´ll put down some time to line up the back wheel and the front wheel if possible.

If someone wants to make some adjustments, the original psd that I created is here: http://www.pureinnovation.com/images/f1.psd

Not sure if you can use psd files, but those should have everything you need.

[Just_a_fan]

Longer equals more bend/flex in the tub, which then means thicker stronger sides, which means more weight.....more bend... and so on.

I doubt that will make any noticeable difference - the tubs are extremely stiff anyway. The wheelbase change will likely be accomodated by making the fuel cell box slightly longer (and a larger box is stiffer anyway) and by changes in the bellhousing / gearbox both of which are currently structural items and could be stiffened quite easily if required without making them too heavy (and any additional weight will be low in the car anyway so not too detrimental)

The longer the wheel base as in the RB case, gives more clear space at the end of the sidepods to the rear wings(s).

Quite so.

[hankalis]

Longer equals more bend/flex in the tub, which then means thicker stronger sides, which means more weight.....more bend... and so on.

I doubt that will make any noticeable difference - the tubs are extremely stiff anyway. The wheelbase change will likely be accomodated by making the fuel cell box slightly longer (and a larger box is stiffer anyway) and by changes in the bellhousing / gearbox both of which are currently structural items and could be stiffened quite easily if required without making them too heavy (and any additional weight will be low in the car anyway so not too detrimental)

The longer the wheel base as in the RB case, gives more clear space at the end of the sidepods to the rear wings(s).

Quite so.

then why not make the cars even longer than longest car this year?
if teams don't make them longer is a clear indication that longer doesn't only imply the positive impact on aero but certainly also some negative impact on somthingelse ..