Differential equations

One of the most neglected areas in racecar engineering is the differential. To illustrate this indifference, a Formula 1 car designer (who had actually never won a race) once declared ‘we have so much downforce that the differential is irrelevant’. I must admit in the past I’ve been guilty of this line of thinking as well. However, over the last couple of years – and indeed the last couple of months – a few things have really brought this important matter into very sharp relief.

I have a few articles on this coming soon, but to get everyone prepped the below is largely taken from my book: The Dynamics of the, which, after years of requests, you can now purchase as a hard copy. We’ll start with the section in the book called .