Late Formula E Realization

Kinja'd!!! "For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
06/04/2014 at 16:24 • Filed to: Formula E, Tires

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The sidewalls! Where did the sidewalls go?

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The sidewalls are so tiny compared to other open-wheel series! They're as thin as LMP1 tires! They probably are LMP1 tires!

Was this done for cost-savings, or is open-wheel racing just starting to move away from huge sidewalls?


DISCUSSION (7)


Kinja'd!!! Viggen > For Sweden
06/04/2014 at 16:33

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Could just be Michelin. I'd say their LMP1 tires are the best tires out there anyway.


Kinja'd!!! For Sweden > Viggen
06/04/2014 at 16:37

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Maybe, but it represents a huge shift in open-wheel car design. Large sidewalls have persisted because open-wheel engineers are so accustomed to the effects large sidewalls have on the suspension of the car. The sidewalls ability to act as a billboard counts for something as well.


Kinja'd!!! desertdog5051 > For Sweden
06/04/2014 at 17:19

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Sidewall flex translates into parasitic loss. Most EV road cars run a very stiff sidewall. I would think that racers consider the same thing by going to a shorter sidewall.

(EV owner here)


Kinja'd!!! Pitchblende > For Sweden
06/04/2014 at 18:05

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There was talk about F1 moving to something with a smaller sidewall when Pirelli came onboard, but, as always with F1, talk and action are two very different things.


Kinja'd!!! f86sabre > For Sweden
06/04/2014 at 19:55

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I believe F-1 retains large sidewalls as a means to limit brake rotor size.


Kinja'd!!! For Sweden > f86sabre
06/04/2014 at 20:15

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Look at you with your logical explanation!


Kinja'd!!! f86sabre > For Sweden
06/05/2014 at 08:17

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Happens from time to time. Don't tell anyone.