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How much shorter?


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#1 Zippity

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 03:25

I keep reading about and hearing that Kimi is going to race the shorter wheelbase Lotus.

 

How much shorter is the wheelbase?

 

I have not seen any figures mentioned anywhere.



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#2 MatsNorway

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 03:43

what? Assuming its the new car. They are stuffing bucked loads of more stuff into the car in terms of sheer volume and then they make the car shorter? must be a boxy looking thing. Only l feeling i get on it is that there is less air for the diffuser due to no blowing at all.  As well as perhaps fatty sidepods making it optimum with a shorter underside something something.



#3 bigleagueslider

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 05:05

F1 cars all use the maximum wheelbase dimension allowed by the rules.  And this wheelbase dimension is quite large in comparison to what you would see on a typical 4-door production car.  The most likely reason for this is to maximize the underbody area available for creating aero downforce.

 

Can't imagine any logical reason a chassis designer would opt for using less wheelbase than the rules allowed.



#4 seldo

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 05:14

Whilst they keep talking about the "short-wheelbase" car, in reality it is the original spec, and the latest car is actually a long-wheel-base version.
The difference is not insubstantial at 75mm.
http://www.formula1....013/0/1113.html

#5 Zippity

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 05:15

What I am trying to find out is the difference between Lotus' short wheelbase and long wheelbase cars.

 

Are we talking 6", 2" or 1/2" for example?

 

The media are saying "shorter", but no one is saying by how much.

 

Inquisitive minds want to know :)



#6 Zippity

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 05:24

Thanks Seldo.

 

Our posts crossed :)



#7 MatsNorway

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 17:58

oh i see.



#8 Bloggsworth

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Posted 09 November 2013 - 18:45

F1 cars all use the maximum wheelbase dimension allowed by the rules.  And this wheelbase dimension is quite large in comparison to what you would see on a typical 4-door production car.  The most likely reason for this is to maximize the underbody area available for creating aero downforce.
 
Can't imagine any logical reason a chassis designer would opt for using less wheelbase than the rules allowed.


Why not? Because you say so? The Mercedes has always had a shorter wheelbase than nearly all the others. The Lotus wheelbase is adjusted by angling the suspension links forward at the front to increase the wheelbase - Care has to be taken to ensure the car stays within the weight distribution parameters.

#9 DogEarred

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 07:47

The increase in wheelbase is more like 10-12 cm. Since the front axle line is taken as a reference for the front wing & underfloor (T-tray), both those items are stretched by the same amount.

The extra distance behind the front wheels to the sidepods allows that air to 'settle' more before entering the rad ducts or spilling round the sides, giving gains.

The weight distribution edges towards the rear, which takes load off the front tyres, allowing better durability.

I think Raikonnen prefers the slightly more 'edgy' feel to the standard car whereas Grosjean's style complements smoother turn in characteristics.

Lotus will probably stick with the longer wheelbase next season. If they survive...


Edited by DogEarred, 10 November 2013 - 07:48.


#10 seldo

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 10:53

The increase in wheelbase is more like 10-12 cm. Since the front axle line is taken as a reference for the front wing & underfloor (T-tray), both those items are stretched by the same amount.
The extra distance behind the front wheels to the sidepods allows that air to 'settle' more before entering the rad ducts or spilling round the sides, giving gains.
The weight distribution edges towards the rear, which takes load off the front tyres, allowing better durability.
I think Raikonnen prefers the slightly more 'edgy' feel to the standard car whereas Grosjean's style complements smoother turn in characteristics.
Lotus will probably stick with the longer wheelbase next season. If they survive...

Maybe you know more than them....
http://www.formula1....013/0/1113.html

#11 DogEarred

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Posted 11 November 2013 - 07:30

Whoops, duff information from my source. 10-12cm may have been the ideal target but would require shifting of chassis pick up points & thus great changes to the chassis. Just not practical half way through a season. (or legal?)

7.5cm would be about as far as you can go by angling the composite wishbones & not revising the chassis.



#12 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 23:10

Kimi has retired to race a hospital bed from Lotus. His next race car is red!