How the top F1 teams' wheelbase and rake compares in 2018
This weekend's Singapore Grand Prix marks the return of the proper downforce battle in Formula 1 after the low-drag challenges of Spa and Monza
Red Bull will be buoyed by its dominant form around low-speed Monaco earlier this year, while Ferrari has shown itself to have a quick car at all types of circuit.
And while Mercedes may not be heading there feeling it is favourite, its brilliant execution of races this year has been key to its world title ambitions.
What has been particularly interesting this year, however, is that despite the closeness of the fight at the front, the top three teams have approached the season with different car concepts - which is highlighted in their varied rake and wheelbases.
In this exclusive video, Giorgio Piola looks at how the three teams compare, highlighting some interesting differences between them.
It is no secret that Mercedes has the longest wheelbase car, but Ferrari and Red Bull made changes to their approach in 2018 in a bid to go more in the direction of the reigning world champion team.
Both teams lengthened their cars for this season, with Ferrari also adopting a more aggressive rake, although not quite going to the extreme levels pioneered by Red Bull.
How the cars compare
| Car | Wheelbase | Rake (degrees) |
| Ferrari (2017) | 3551mm | 1.28 |
| Ferrari (2018) | 3621mm | 1.53 |
| Mercedes (2017) | 3726mm | 1.20 |
| Mercedes (2018) | 3726mm | 1.25 |
| Red Bull (2017) | 3407mm | 1.9 |
| Red Bull (2018) | 3550mm | 1.9 |
Previous article
Rival F1 teams question Mercedes boss Toto Wolff's third car idea
Next article
Banish three things to make F1 better instantly
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Giorgio Piola |
How long can F1 2021's brewing title battle stay clean?
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been evenly matched so far in the 2021 Formula 1 title race. Neither has been afraid to get aggressive against each other on track, teeing up an enthralling contest as the year unwinds. But is their rivalry destined to end in broken shards of carbon fibre?
What the Spain result tells F1 about the next phase of the Mercedes/Red Bull title fight
OPINION: Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have recovered from their pre-season woes to take three wins from the opening four races of 2021. But each time Red Bull and Max Verstappen have pushed them hard. So, what clues did the latest round of that battle – the Spanish Grand Prix – tease about the next stage of the season?
How Brabham’s one-hit wonder was boxed into a corner
The Brabham BT46B raced once, won once, then vanished – or did it? STUART CODLING reveals the story of the car which was never actually banned…
The changes Barcelona needs to provide a modern-day F1 spectacle
Formula 1’s visits to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over recent years have been met with familiar criticisms despite tweaks here and there to the track to improve racing. With the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix largely going the same way, proper solutions need to be followed to achieve F1’s wider targets
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Often described as Formula 1's laboratory, the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona gave the clearest demonstration yet of the pecking order in 2021. And it's the key discrepancies from that order which illuminate who is excelling, and who needs to hit the reset button
How Red Bull’s deja vu set Hamilton on the winning path in Spain
An aggressive first corner move from Max Verstappen appeared to have set the Red Bull driver on course for victory in the Spanish Grand Prix. But canny strategy from Mercedes - combined with the absence of Red Bull's number two from the lead group - allowed Lewis Hamilton to pull off a demoralising reversal
The toe-in-water origins of Lotus’s groundbreaking F1 journey
In the first part of our history of Lotus, DAMIEN SMITH recalls how Formula 1 wasn’t an immediate priority for team founder Colin Chapman – but once he got a taste for it he just couldn’t stop…
How Hamilton’s qualifying record compares to Senna and Schumacher
Lewis Hamilton has just become the first driver to record 100 world championship Formula 1 pole positions. Time to revisit a debate we discussed when he reached 150 front row starts in 2020.
