Mystery Steve wrote:The wheels are not held against the hub with friction. There is a mechanical locking mechanism that is used "mesh" the wheel and hub together. Typical setups in other series use a series of studs on the hub spread radially around the nut thread and the wheel has matching holes in the same radial pattern as the studs. These studs and holes interlock. I'm not sure if F1 wheels use the exact same method, but it is similar. They may use something different to make quick wheel changes during pit stops easier.
there is a bit missing there....if it only were the drive pegs interlocking with the hub and not the wheelnut providing the preload,then it would be no problem if a wheelnut was not applied with the correct torque.Just fix it to the rim put a sturdy lock in front of the nut ,presto.
with the backside of the wheelnut being a conical shape it follows the same concept as a normal wheelnut and supplies via its mounting torque the necessary clamping force.As there is no cone on the backside of the wheel or one protruding from the hub it is clear that the flat face is the clamped surface transmitting the forces.the pegs are are not enough to take all the loads as seen on vettels off.