For the technically minded?!

[Chuffer]

Just watching the formula 1 GP and wondered why on road cars one has skinny low profile tyres for better grip yet the formula one cars have thick sidewalks more akin to an off-roader!

Anyone shed any light on this anomaly?

 

[Stuart Truman]

No idea, it's a good question although my 18" wheels tramline substantially less than my 19's (no RFT on either)

On another note; Is the Chinese Grand Prix a cheap imitation knock off of the proper ones? :?

 

[Toe-side]

Formula One cars are not allowed to have wheels bigger than 13" diameter.
The tyres are bigger to provide a reasonable circumference and some superficial 'give' as the suspension travel is virtually nil. The bigger tyres could also help dissipate heat better.
Try that for a starter to the discussion?

 

[Toe-side]

No idea, it's a good question although my 18" wheels tramline substantially less than my 19's (no RFT on either)

On another note; Is the Chinese Grand Prix a cheap imitation knock off of the proper ones? :?

Yes tramlining will also be reduced.
How many Chinese Grand prix's do you want? we can make 100 at £30 pound a unit shipped ................just give us a circuit diagram.

 

[v8matt]

I think it largely comes down to what the regulations allow. Other race series are less strict and have produced lower profile standards. Some discussion here http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13163

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[m_lehcim]

Probably a number of reasons, number one being to prevent massive brakes being developed.

It does also have a number of advantages (for driver comfort anyway!!), like toe said to allow a bit of give in suspension. Designers i guess would make cars solid if they could as all ride characteristics/aero would be constant. However tyres are an undamped spring, so makes controlling them tricky...

Other possibilities are it reduces pressure/temperature sensitivity for a greater volume of gas. Or just down to the fact rubber/air is lightr than metal?? Reduction in undamped mass etc?

 

[2dogs]

I drop in and out of f1 found this on tyres and DRS, help me
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22119374

 

[Tassi]

You could not corner a road car at any reasonable speed with very high walled tyres as they would move around to much and give up grip, F1 cars have the down force to push the car forcing the tyres to grip

 

[MrPT]

I thought it was just because of the rim size regulations, which keep the size of the brakes small and reduce the role of the car's suspension (= less complexity = cheaper).

 

[Maniac]

Just watching the formula 1 GP and wondered why on road cars one has skinny low profile tyres for better grip yet the formula one cars have thick sidewalks more akin to an off-roader!

Anyone shed any light on this anomaly?

Mainly aesthetics. While there are some handling differences, people like the look of larger wheels over larger rubber.

 

[Quadracer]

In a low profile tyre the pressure increases rapidly as the tyres heat up. I've been advised to get 17" or 18" for track days and get them filled with nitrogen. This maybe one of the reasons F1 have large tyres.

 

[wparente]

It comes down to that is what the regulations say for size. There is only one tire manufacture and it is dictated that you will use two different compounds and a minimum of two sets of tires. Probably the biggest reason is that it gives a decent size billboard for the tire manufacture to put there name on.