Formula 1 - F1 - Current Season Discussion - Page 12

A balance tilted toward understeer (not pushing like a pig, mind) would typically be more stable under braking and in fast turns. Particularly in the latter situation, you let off some throttle and the nose comes back. With an oversteery car, you let off and the back end loosens up. Neither is wrong, but if you don't like the feel of one or the other, you won't have the confidence to push to the limit.

I'm sure Ian can expand on this greatly.

a car with slight understeer is more controllable for some styles of driving

the fact that an F1 car is required by rules to go from 60-100% power (operating range15k to 18k) in 1/2" (15 mm) of throttle travel is a pretty good reason

especailly since they banned traction control

and now have less downforce also, oversteer on a car with a light rear and that much power over such a small throttle range would be very tricky

nice video

should be a great race course, I'll be there :D

Different vid of the NJ circuit. Shows the track layout

i took the ferry from the proposed site. It's a flippin' cliff, so the elevation change will be nice.

I hated the Letterman interview. He should have shut the f*** up and let Vettel talk. As became plain when he did, Vettel didn't need any help to be entertaining. Plus, who the f*** cares about Indiana?

For someone that owns an ALMS team - he sounded like he was dumbing himself down for the public?
Vettel look abit uncomfortable or maybe just didn't click as well as Jeremy & Vettel:


(old Top Gear but Vettel shows 'himself' on cam)

My old apartment was 5min walk from the ferry... right of River rd.

Pretty nice stretch that road. That would be a 100% attendance for me! Texas plane tickets are more expensive than I'd care to pay, not to mention the shafting you'll get when you book a hotel room



Oh and for the understeer/oversteer comment - I drive like Hammy, my views are biased The only time I set my car/karts up for understeer is if I'm very new to the track, my first time out(when I have time), or both - it's the safer way around for me. With understeer, I have to completely adjust my braking/cornering habits just to set up the kart around the corner.

Aside from textbook definitions between the two, I do find that a driver that prefers an understeering kart has a better feel for grip. They sense grip relatively better at the track, therefore a smoother drive, and lasting tires. I, and a few others who prefer an oversteering kart, use our slip angles to scrub speed off around the corner, neutralizing the tires much faster - think "fast in, fast out"

So, for a race that relies heavily on tire life, a well-balanced, understeer-biased kart would be most efficient(of course not taking into account driver input). Think Button in BrawnGP. It was essentially the perfect car for him. Except for the tracks that killed tires much faster, his races were phenomenal.


*I'm missing a huge chunk of info somewhere there but it's the best I can explain for now *

there was a really good test in a recent magazine (R&T, C&D, etc.) where they tested a bunch of cars and compared steering angle vs turning radius

 

911 vs Lotus, etc., I'll see if I can dig it up. first time I've seem something like this, the GTr perfromed very well

 

here it is, a nice primer for the basics and different drivetrain set-ups

http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/1109_2011_motor_trend_best_drivers_car/viewall.html

 

sample ferrari 458

 

52 deg of understeer, the mustang had only 18!

I got to ride in the SLS in the story when Jonny used it as the pace car for a LeMons race at Sears Point:

I imagine he's a very interesting, fun guy to meet and know personally. BUt I get the impression he either clams up or has little interest in showing all of himself to the general public. Can't say I blame him.

Edit - I take you were referring to the Letterman interview? he seems relatively relaxed on Top Gear.

From DC, flights to Austin are currently $250

Fuck hotel rooms, try renting an apartment (for montreal I have a place I use, this time I'd probably try airbnb).

1g of braking followed by 1.5g lat on a 300 treadwear tire..... I will do unspeakable things for a 458!

Thanks for the article, good read!

x2
I've never even been close to one! I'm mega jelly!
Yep, Vettel looked abit off with Letterman. Could have been alot of 'behind-the-scenes' we don't know about, but from watching alot of Vettel interviews and media - he seems closer to the personality in the Top Gear video.



JetBlue fails me That and I just checked www.circuitoftheamericas.com for tix - it looks like the fun turns are sold out. T9 looks boring. T11 west has one bit of action. I'm not about to pay "premium grandstand" for a 1st time out with F1 (although it looks like a fun track)