Finding the Centre of Gravity of a Formula One Car

Taking images of the cars suspended by the cranes at Monaco the Centre of Gravity, CoG can be found. The Mercedes is a particularly good candidate for this as the angle in which it hung was relatively high. If the angle was lower, like all the other teams, a line intersecting the CoG would have a small horizontal component. With the angle of the Mercedes above 30 degrees it has a reasonable horizontal component so we can get a good estimate of the height of the CoG. From the ground it is a bit above the axles at 370mm.

[@rolandotillit2867]

The center of pressure and center of gravity also affect the aero balance, if the COP is ahead of the COG, then you get oversteer, generally, and if the COP is behind the COG then you get understeer generally. To make it even more tricky that COP and COG move around under braking, acceleration, yaw, transients and steady state cornering, etc. The balance in the corners is dependent on where the COP and COG are relative to each other. If your aero is unstable in transients like turn in, then your COP is going to be shifting on entry, mid and corner exit relative to the COG altering the balance.

[@Mr.Wonder1ng]

I wonder how this compares to a Formula E car?

[@tygoschouteten6664]

Wich progam do you you use

[@langerhainzkl9560]

Hecates

[@user-fz1kj9ke6o]

what program are you using?

[@nelsonphillips]

for this video?

[@user-fz1kj9ke6o]

@@nelsonphillips 0:55 What program are these drawings and measurements in?

[@nelsonphillips]

@@user-fz1kj9ke6o my CAD and inkscape, just measuring pixels