[culver]

Originally Posted by Alastor

It seems like all else being equal the short wheel base car should require less steering input, or run a straighter line as you say. That should allow the car to operate at more optimal slip angles, whereas the longer wheel base car would be operating at higher slip angles with diminishing returns.

The short wheel base car does require less steering input but you have to balance that against the poorer weight transfer characteristics. Ultimately under most conditions the improvement in weight transfer offered by the longer wheelbase and track win out. This is why you see rules often limit maximum wheelbase and track.