Friction is limited by coefficient of friction and 'normal reaction' to weight. If this is so... increasing surface area does nothing for friction. It may be to do with stability or heat dissipation or even wear.
2006-10-15 23:02:34 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
so they grip the track
2006-10-15 23:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by «Dave» 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fat tyres are primarily for grip on the tarmac. When used in conjunction with aerofoil downforce the car "sticks" to the road allowing more power to be delivered to the rear drive wheels.
The FIA banned completely slick (untreaded) tyres in favour of the current tyre composition. They also outlawed technology such as ABS, automatic launch control etc, which made the cars better at performing.
In effect the cars were too fast for the circuits, which made the situation dangerous. Imagine the effect of a 200mph multiple car incident, which could happen at some of the more "open" tracks.
Even now with the current tyre composition, the cars are equalling, if not exceeding the previous years times.
The tyres also help balance the car when cornering at high speed. Anyone who has been on standard road tyres will have experienced the drift you get when attempting high speed manoeuvres.
They also have a very narrow operating parameter, a little either way and they will not work. An example of this was the tyre pressure reducing at low speed, following the pace car, that lead to the death of Ayrton Senna. This isn't really an issue with road cars, slightly low pressure isn't a major problem. But with cutting edge technology like F1 tyres its crucial to whether they work or not.
2006-10-15 23:44:23 · answer #2 · answered by Trevor K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you say...the reason why it is wide because they want to increase the surface area of tyre facing the track. When the surface area increase, the grip between tyre and track will increase which is increase the stability of the F1 during high speed. Of course it will produce high energy of heat product but this heat is one ways to make the tyre more gripping to the track.
2006-10-16 01:53:28 · answer #3 · answered by parasolx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fat tyres give extra grip. Because an F1 car is so light and has so much power the tyres need to have lots of grip to keep the car on the track.
2006-10-15 23:10:49 · answer #4 · answered by President_Gustav 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another point to add also is,
The reason why they are so 'thick' is due to tyre wear, they must be able to last at least 30 laps of an F1 race. If they were as 'thin' as conventional tyres on our road cars, then they would last about 5 or 6 laps, at high speed!
Hope this helped you understand!
2006-10-16 01:13:15 · answer #5 · answered by Phoenix 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Principally to give better grip and stability to a relatively light weight vehicle.
2006-10-18 22:30:10 · answer #6 · answered by Whistler R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is because they have to atain great stability due to the tendency of moving at high speed as they strive to win the race.thats my opinion
2006-10-15 23:32:57 · answer #7 · answered by X-Zee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
increases friction so allows for greater acceleration
2006-10-16 00:10:54 · answer #8 · answered by Clint 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they should put pram wheels on the F1 cars
that would make F1 more fun
2006-10-15 23:38:39 · answer #9 · answered by magnum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coefficient_of_friction
2006-10-16 17:41:00 · answer #10 · answered by Surya M. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋