Formula 1 blog - Linksheaven

Rear end stability

February 3rd, 2006

From the Racing Questions Answered forum

I can’t help but wonder what is done to control the back end of an F1 car in an under 100 k.p.h corner, given that these cars are manufactured as light weight as possible and with as much horse power as possible. Does it just come down to driver ability ? or are low speed corners an area where teams are forced to lose precious seconds ?
Indeed if you could explain (simply) how would you set up a F1 car for a low speed corner circuit? (without getting into aero downforce facts for the rest of the circuit)

F1 Welt’s answer

Well as far as the rear grip goes. It is acheived much the same way as with the front end, sans the steering system. Its all about proper suspension set up. With the rear of the car, there is much more importance on brake bias and stability to keep mechanical grip high during braking into a corner.

Also maybe the most important thing with the rear suspension, is engine design. As I am sure you know already, the engine is a stressed member of the car and is actually part of the rear suspension. Some teams spend millions in proper rear suspension and engine balance. Some teams, develope much of thier rear mechanical grip, by how well the engine and suspension stay loaded in harmony under acceleration, braking and cornering. When this is done right, it takes a huge load off the driver and makes the car handle with much great precision. This also helps with the balance in the front end as well.

On a low speed circuit, like Monaco. The rear would ideally be set a little lower to the ground than normal. This would allow the rear diffuser to add aero a little earlier, and the added drag would not reall come into play because of the slowness of the course. Even more work would be done to put more weight up front, this will aid in other things, but mostly it will help to keep the rear from stepping out. The rear suspension may be set a little softer than normal when compared to the front. This will help the rear ride the low speed bumps, and keep from losing traction on them. Without much aero help riding the bumps and keeping the tyres planted, especially the rears is very critical.

There are of course several other little nuances in setup for a course like monaco but that should give you the jist of it. Hope thats what you wanted. Thanks ribot.

And a followup from Carl

Just a brief footnote to your excellent explanation above.
One extra thing that can have a big effect on mechanical grip, the chassis itself needs to be as rigid as possible. The optimal suspension geometry is only good as long as the it’s mountings stay true. If the chassis is able to deform, the new geometry cannot the present the wheel to the tarmac in the manner it was designed to. The chassis must remain true in spite of the huge cornering and braking forces, generating extreme tensile and compressive loadings in the suspension attachments, and the torque of the engine producing twisting loads in addition to those above at the rear of the car.

Entry Filed under: Formula 1