Quote:
Originally Posted by footie
Wouldn't completely agree with that opinion.  Prior to the downforce effect the car will feel skittish were as downforce makes it feel planted. Now I can't speak for F1 but I have driven cars which generate huge amounts of downforce and that is my feeling on the matter. |
You misunderstand. The key factor with weight is Inertia. How quickly can you make the thing change direction. The downforce incerases pressure on the suspension which will minimize feelings of Skittishnes since everything is planted by the aerodynamic force pushing down on the car. Which helps your tires grip due to the good old friction equation.
Weight however, and that would be the Inertial Mass kind of weight, effects your ability to change direction without the mass of the car still trying to go in a straight line. The more weight you have, the more force the tires need to bare in order to get the car to change direction/go faster/go. Good old Newton's 1st.