matteosc wrote: ↑23 Feb 2023, 22:54
mzso wrote: ↑23 Feb 2023, 21:49
PhillipM wrote: ↑23 Feb 2023, 20:59
The biggest reason for the increase in weight is because of the larger diameter wheels, not because of high profile tyres. High profile tyres and smaller wheels are lighter than vice versa, and have lower MoI
That's nowhere near a fact. The tires are a lot heavier than the wheels. And the tire diameter also grew and it resulted in proportionally more material since the radius is larger than the wheel diameter. Not only that, but where the most material is (tire tread), is where the increase was the largest, since it's the outermost part.
Now it would be a lot different if the tire diameter stayed the same.
That said, of course the wheels also increased in weight.
I do not agree with your opinion. The tire is (as material) lighter than the wheel: its stiffness is in fact obtained through the pressurized air inside. The tire is not only "rubber", but to give an idea rubber density is ~1.2 (10³ kg/m³), while aluminum is ~2.7 (10³ kg/m³). The wheel will be definitely lighter than simple aluminum, while the tire will be heavier than rubber, since there is a metallic and kevlar layer. Nevertheless, the material of the tire will be lighter than the material of the wheel. Moreover, the tire is essentially a relatively thin toroidal layer, while the wheel has a way stronger structure.
Considering the same external diameter, smaller wheel with larger tire would be lighter.
Actually the wheel is still forged magnesium as far as I know. Someone linked
https://www.f1wheels.com/from this forum.
Also the structure of the wheel you point out just makes it more efficient with material and weight. Hollow structures like that can be a fair bit lighter than you might expect.
As well as a lot of the thread serves no structural purpose whatsoever, dead weight in this regard, the rubbery material is there to provide grip, and to seal air. Which needs to be generously reinforced by fibers that provide actual structural strength, especially with F1's still uncommonly high profile, uniquely high turning speeds and such very high shear forces.
Though I would love to see someone pointing to a reliable source measuring the old wheels/tires compared the new ones, I don't think such exits.