Quote:
Originally Posted by Victor_RO
All the suspension pick-up points at the rear of a F1/LMP car are generally on the gearbox casing. The keel(if it exists) is only an element of the tub, so I don't think "zero-keel" is something which can be applied to the rear of a car.
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A zero keel design is such where the suspension is mounted to the side of the monocoque and the entire monocoque itself is further raised leading to a high angle between the suspension and the monocoque. The advantages are that it raises the bottom of the monocoque up and out of the way of the front diffuser and the airflow exiting off the trailing edge of the diffuser. The negatives is that it increases the height of the center of gravity. It would make no sense to apply a similar concept at the rear of the car given the concentrated mass of the gearbox and the desire to keep half shaft geometries within reasonable angles. The spec underfloor doesn't allow any freedom of design thus raising the gearbox and the rear suspension would gain nothing.
The original R15's rear suspension mounting points are slightly raised in attempt to clean up the air flowing through the rear channel.