Something Has Been Puzzling Me

[TrapezeArtist]

There's something a little bit odd that I have been noticing all season, or maybe longer. In qualifying, running the lightest possible fuel load, the cars are almost continuously scraping the ground. Then they tip in 100kg of fuel for the race and suddenly the sparking off the floor gets a lot less. Yet the cars are in parc ferme, which should exclude ride height adjustment (I would have thought). Am I missing something?

[wnut]

Repost, because some posts have disappeared as a result of the security incursion.

I believe the cars don't spark during the race due to the lower aero loadings on the wings during the race because they are at least 5 secs per lap off their ultimate qualifying pace.
The joys of lift and coast racing.

[Sodemo]

I noticed this too. I thought it was more to do with where the fuel load was placed. It would place more weight over the rear axel and therefore the front portion of the plank doesn't scrape as much as it's likely riding a fraction higher.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I noticed this too. I thought it was more to do with where the fuel load was placed. It would place more weight over the rear axel and therefore the front portion of the plank doesn't scrape as much as it's likely riding a fraction higher.

This would also change the angle of attack of the wings and they would generate less downforce, interesting idea.