Formula 1 car weight bias?

[Cockrocket]

I was just thinking today when watching an onbaord of formula 1 cars today and they are just so balanced and neatural which suggests a 50/50 weight bias..but looking at them they seem very much rear weight bias...the engine and gearbox at the rear while up front its only suspension? Hmmmm....can anyone shed light on this?

[SFDMALEX]

well fuel load also affects it greatly.

[nthfinity]

balasts to bring the cars upto regulated weight can also aid in balance...

[sameerrao]

Well the car's weight distribution is a closely guarded figure. But occasionally, we get a glimpse of the distribution when the cars are lifted by the cranes when the drivers get stuck in the kitty litter.

Typically the cars will lean backward indicating a rear heavy distribution, but I do recall seing a couple cars that leaned forward which is amazing considering the engine, gearbox and fuel tank are all behind the driver. How they achieve this is by using lead ballast up front to compensate the masses at the rear. That's where millions of dollars go in lightening all the car components so they can attach the heavy ballast just above the carbon floor for the lowest CoG.

Note: the weight bias is an active part of the design and if I remember it was Williams back in 2004 (when they had the ugly tusks) that had too much weight up front causing the drivers issues on turn in. It took some time before this issue was fixed

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by nthfinity balasts to bring the cars upto regulated weight can also aid in balance...

bingo

[leo_26782]

Originally Posted by sameerrao Well the car's weight distribution is a closely guarded figure. But occasionally, we get a glimpse of the distribution when the cars are lifted by the cranes when the drivers get stuck in the kitty litter.

I agree on everything you said, but you can't get some real conclusion when they lift the car, as you don't know if they do it from the middle of the car, right between the wheels, on the center of gravity,...

[graywolf624]

One other thing to note.. Contrary to popular opinion 50-50 weight bias is not necessarily the best setup for racing. Often times a slight rear bias is favored. This has alot to do with the cars actual weight bias on the axles being dynamic in motion.

[saadie]

^^ yep ... true .... the car also needs a bit of weight on the back to improve grip for a standing start .....

Originally Posted by sameerrao Well the car's weight distribution is a closely guarded figure. But occasionally, we get a glimpse of the distribution when the cars are lifted by the cranes when the drivers get stuck in the kitty litter.

the point from where the car is lifted is kept as close to the center of gravity as possible whioch can depend on alot of things .. soo if the point is behind the CG the car will lean forward .. nothing amazing about it

imo an f1 is very different from a normal road going car .... soo 50/50 works good for a road car but it might not be the perfect setup for a f1 car ...
anyway ... when an f1 car is going high speed or doing high speed corners .. the CG changes depending on how much the wings are creating downforce .....

im no expert .. but imo F1 cars have variable weight disturbution controlled by the downforce generated by the wings all of which is on the rear end .... soo :fadein: its deffinetly not 50/50 its more of +50/-50 if weight disterbution is taken ideal ...