F1 - 18" wheels?

muckwarrior

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=48192

I'd love to see what an F1 car would look like with 18" wheels. Presumably the tyres would have to be much lower profile? Otherwise they'd be huge!

EvilMonkey

I thought Bridgestone felt the cars have too much mechanical grip, at least at the front and that's why they made the front wheels skinnier. I did think it was a bad idea at the time with the overtaking problems.

If it means Michelin coming back then its a bad idea(although I realise they need a supplier confirmed soon).

And what happened to cutting costs, another major change is not going to help save money. I presume it would require a complete redesign of the suspension systems and the rest.

What next should they switch to a set of road rims so the wheel manufacture can sell more wheels.

amacachi

EvilMonkey wrote: »

I thought Bridgestone felt the cars have too much mechanical grip, at least at the front and that's why they made the front wheels skinnier. I did think it was a bad idea at the time with the overtaking problems.

If it means Michelin coming back then its a bad idea(although I realise they need a supplier confirmed soon).

And what happened to cutting costs, another major change is not going to help save money. I presume it would require a complete redesign of the suspension systems and the rest.

What next should they switch to a set of road rims so the wheel manufacture can sell more wheels.

As well as that, I've no clue about the mechanics of a car, but would bigger wheels not lead to new gear ratios being needed, or is that all easily adjustable with the current boxes?

Wheels should be 15/16 inches, lower profile. That way the overall shape will stay the same so no extra costs and Michelin will be happy and more mechanical grip and everyone wins!

amacachi

LIGHTNING wrote: »

It will require quite a few suspension changes and thus it will bring more costs to the table. Something that the smaller teams may not be so happy about.

*Edit I see somebody has already said this*

Fair enough, thought once the overall shape stayed the same it would be fine, shows what I know. :P

ianobrien

Bigger wheels means bigger brakes. This opens up the possibility of more overtaking under braking.

Grim.

max size of discs allowed is 278mm so even if the went to a bigger rim size the brakes would stay the same

Formula One cars must have one brake system operated through a single brake pedal. However, the system must comprise two hydraulic circuits – one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Should one circuit fail the other must remain operational. Power brakes and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are not allowed.

Each wheel must have no more than one brake disc of 278mm maximum diameter and 28mm maximum thickness. Each disc must have only one aluminium caliper, with a maximum of six circular pistons, and no more than two brake pads.

The size of the air ducts used to cool the brakes is strictly controlled and they must not protrude beyond the wheels. The use of liquid to cool the brakes is forbidden.

http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/technical_regulations/

Current Wheel/Tyre regs

Formula One cars must have four, uncovered wheels, all made of the same metallic material. Front wheels must be between 305 and 355mm wide, the rears between 365 and 380mm.

With tyres fitted the wheels must be no more than 660mm in diameter (670mm with wet-weather tyres). Measurements are taken with tyres inflated to 1.4 bar. Tyres may only be inflated with air or nitrogen.

Oblomov

I think Michelin reason for 18 rims is to standardised their racing tyres and reduce costs.

Cookie_Monster

yes, i will cost money in the short term but the alternative is paying some crappy tyre company a lot of money to supply tyres next year when no-one else will

Ghost Train

seems like sort of a big change...
good article here about the change and why 15" might be a good compromise
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/04/07/why-low-profile-tyres-make-sense-for-f1/