Analysis: long-wheelbase Lotus F1 car hits track at Monza
Kimi Raikkonen gave the new long-wheelbase Lotus E21 its debut during the first free practice session for the Italian Grand Prix
The wheelbase has been lengthened by around 100mm, which is achieved by moving the front wheels forward relative to the rest of the car.
This long-wheelbase package (LWB) comprises revised front suspension, a longer nose and an extended floor.
With only enough parts to run one car in the revised specification, Raikkonen got the nod while team-mate Romain Grosjean ran the conventional car with Monza-specific updates.
The idea for the change to the LWB car came from the vehicle dynamics department, which is a surprise as these days the wheelbase is largely an aerodynamic factor.
Lotus has found a handling advantage in extending the wheelbase and altering the car's weight transfer characteristics.
With the wheels moved forward, the aero department has also been able to find some performance gains from the front tyre wake being further from the sidepods.
Although a wheelbase can be lengthened by extending the gearbox or altering the rears suspension, Lotus opted to angle the front suspension forward as this has fewer knock-on effects on the rest of the car.
The front axle line is used as a reference point for the position of the front wing and the T-Tray splitter under the car. Therefore, the front wing and leading edge of the T-Tray also had to be extended forwards by the same amount as the wheelbase change.
Visually, the two cars can be differentiated by the longer nose and the front track rods which are now at right angles to the car's centreline and not swept back as on the conventional car.
While the change to LWB might be seen as an advantage on a fast track like Monza, the weight shift and aero advantage is a larger benefit on conventional tracks.
If the change is successful, it will be applied to the cars for the rest of the season.
Previous article
Italian GP: Vettel favourite in Castrol EDGE Grand Prix Predictor
Next article
Italian GP: Jenson Button escapes DRS penalty in Monza practice
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Team Lotus , Lotus F1 Team |
| Author | Craig Scarborough |
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his team-mate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen’s emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber team-mate’s own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here’s how Nick Heidfeld’s career was chilled by the Iceman
