F1 Car Length

[Germanengineering]

Why is the wheelbase so long?

[Tim.Wright]

aerodynamics

[amouzouris]

longer wheelbase better in a track...shorter wb better off-road...

[Germanengineering]

Smaller wheelbase quicker cornering.

[bhall]

Because somewhere along the way, the powers-that-be decided F1 regulations should produce a car that has more in common with this...

(Incidentally, the Tahoe is actually shorter than current F1.)

...than this.


That's what happens when a car has to carry enough fuel to go the distance.

[wesley123]

longer wheelbase better in a track...shorter wb better off-road...

Hmm I never knew Formula 1 drove off-road before 2010, that is new to me

[PlatinumZealot]

Smaller wheelbase quicker cornering.

yeah but you don't need that on these big long race tracks.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qRVfio ... re=related[/youtube]

[mx_tifoso]

I figured that it all boils down to the fuel requirements and that the width is restricted, so the only way you can go is increasing the length. Along with aerodynamic purposes as well I suppose, but you don't such a high cofg with a short wheelbase and so much fuel on board.

[Tozza Mazza]

If you wanna calculate length, with current regulations.

Wheelbase + 1000mm (front overhang minimum, max is 1200mm)+ 600mm (rear overhang).

Typical current wheelbase is 3330mm, giving a total max length of 5130mm. Very long.

[horse]

Expanding on aerodynamics, the theory goes that the longer the floor is, the greater the downforce generated by it will be.

[Rideway]

It also decreases longitudinal weight transfer
W.T. = Mass * CG Height * Acceleration / Wheelbase

Also aerodynamic reasons as posted, easier weight distribution optimization and I think that cornering stability increases as well (might have to check that again in Miliken's RCVD).

On the other hand, among other issues, you might have problems when going to Loeb's hairpin in Monaco if you have a bus-sized car

[Edis]

It's about weight distribution and aerodynamics. The longer wheelbase will resist direction changes a bit more than a short wheelbase car, but not enough to cause problems.

Weight distribution is important since it affects how the car can de designed with regard to center of pressure. If the wheelbase of the car is increased by moving the rear wheels backward relative to the engine the weight distribution will shift forward. This will make it possible to produce more downforce with the front wing which is more efficient than the rear wing since it's placed so close to the ground. The rear tires are also more narrow today, which means the front wheels have gotten wider relative to the rear tires. This also require a more forward biased weight distribution.

Then there are other aerodynamic advantages with the long wheelbase.