Isn't it a bit reversed? Corners are where cars usually crash, so going faster before crashing doesn't seem safer to me.
It depends of the trajectory. Generally the critical point is a straight leading into a tight turn. So brake failure would necessitate the run off to absorb the full speed of the car. In that scenario straight line speed would be critical.
Surely less downforce is going to lead to higher straight speeds...
Its all a question of balance. If you have identical power and fit fatter tyres less power and drag is available for downforce generation. Speed must not necessarily rise in such a scenario.
Edited by WhiteBlue, 14 November 2012 - 14:53.