gilgen wrote:please explain how [wheelbase affects performance].
Between two cars that have different wheelbases, but are otherwise identical, the shorter chassis...
- will be lighter, which allows more flexibility in terms of ballast placement
- will have increased torsional rigidity, which makes the car more responsive to setup changes
- will have reduced directional stability, which makes the car more nimble (and might also benefit tire wear)
It's an important element of design.
What makes it relevant to the discussion is that Ferrari has apparently manged to substantially shrink the rear of the car
without lengthening the wheelbase. That means virtually everything under the skin has been aggressively redesigned, and that's no small feat, especially when you consider the increased cooling requirements of a (presumably) more powerful PU.
And it seems progress hasn't come easily. From the speculation thread...
ferkan wrote:Lots of news past few days from Italy. 667 was fired up for the first time today, everything went smoothly. Test bench numbers are excellent, the PU produces more then 900hp but still has reliability issues primary from engine knocking. But Ferrari still has to recieve latest fuel from Shell, and will see how testing goes before Melbourne. For now, engine cannot last 4 GPs.
ferkan wrote:In any case they are reporting today that Ferrari might have problems at testing and that there still are vibrations in engine. Said that there is a completely new and very agressive gearbox that created bunch of problems on dyno and are still unsure how that one will go and if it will be used in Barca 1st test.
), size matched to rear axle track length with tyres (551px).