sennaf1god.94 wrote:[...]
Will the higher torque output compensate LMP1´s weight deficit?
Can prototypes beat F1´s top speed on the main straights even with DRS activated?
Is Wurz right and LMP1s generate more downforce... and so will they beat F1´s at Becketts?
Is 4WD really a factor in the medium-slow corners specially those from sector 2?
Will F1 Blend?
In and of itself, torque is meaningless. It's power that moves cars.
That said, I have little doubt in my mind that LMP1 is certainly capable of higher straight-line speeds, because of higher power output, better traction, and presumably lower drag (closed cockpit/wheels). LMP1's higher weight has only a negligible effect on this aspect of performance. At speeds over ~160km/h, aerodynamic drag is a
far bigger obstacle than weight.
Through turns, however, F1's lower weight will likely make for faster speeds compared to LMP1, even if the latter does have more downforce overall. As Lycoming said, a higher downforce-to-weight ratio trumps higher total downforce.
What's interesting is Wurz's claim that LMP1 has more downforce in low-downforce trim than F1 has in high-downforce trim. Is it possible then that in high-downforce trim LMP1 has enough to beat F1 through twisty bits? I dunno.
(That this is even up for discussion makes me a little sad, because F1 is supposed to be all sorts of faster than anything else.)
