flynfrog wrote:How are the lap times calculated? Do they take into account the unbalance front and rear and its effect on handling? Or are you simply putting in a Raw Cl and Cd number into a simple sim?
Nick's link to my website explains it in a more detail, but essentially the program uses the COP to determine front and rear downforce split, the program then calculates vertical loads on the tyres and from there the cornering forces at each end of the car. You can see this in the results; Marelli had the second highest Cl.A but because most of it was generated at the front his lap times were well off the fastest car.
The car's mass distribution is fixed as per the real 2012 F1 rules and runs at minimum weight plus 10kg of fuel.
Again, as Nick says; the Khamsin guys test the cars at two speeds straight ahead and one speed at 3 degrees yaw. the program then iterates for other speeds and yaw angles; in effect we have a simple aero map for each car.
I'm happy to answer any further questions....?