How much does an F1 car weigh in 2023?
The Formula 1 cars must meet a minimum weight limit set by the FIA.
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F1 cars. Image via F1 Experiences
The weight of a car is significant in Formula One. Over the years, the car’s weight has been increasing. Today’s Formula One car are the heaviest in the history of the sport. This is due to the additional parts in the car, especially for safety concerns.
The weight of a Formula One car varies during a Grand Prix weekend. While this is up to the team, they must follow the minimum weight requirement set by the FIA. The technical regulations are quite lengthy. The teams must comply with the weight rules. The technical rules change every season.
The minimum weight of a Formula One car in 2023 is 798kg, ( 1759 lbs). It was set at 795kg, but a few teams could not meet the limit, so they increased it by an extra weight of 3kg. The sport looks for ways to make the cars fast, at the same time, driver’s safety is also the biggest concern. The initial plan was to reduce the car weight by a few kgs, but the plan did not go through.
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How much does a Formula One Car weigh?
The average weight of cars remains at 798kg. This is due to heavier tyres and new innovative electric devices. This weight includes the car, the driver, and dry weather tyres. The weight is measured while the fuel tank is empty. The FIA decides the minimum weight limit. Alfa Romeo was against raising the minimum weight. This is because they were not overweight like the other teams.
After the Grand Prix, the weight of the car is measured. By then, the car uses its fuel. The fuel quantity is 110kg. So this means at the beginning of the race, the weight of the car plus the fuel capacity will reach 908 kg ( 798kg plus 110kg). The teams often choose to run their car with less fuel. This will give them an advantage over the others. However, it depends on the track. Certain tracks need higher fuel consumption compared to the rest.
The team can decide the weight of a Formula One car. Although, they must stick to the minimum weight limit. An increase in weight does not make sense. The teams aim to reduce it as much as possible. The lighter the car, the faster the pace. If the cars are underweight, the teams add ballast (a heavy substance). This can be placed anywhere they want.
Weight of Formula One car parts
The turbocharged engines are the heaviest part of a Formula One car. The engine component weighs 150kg. The lightest part is the steering wheel, it weighs around 1.3kg. The cars are legal as long as they abide by the technical rules and follow the weight limit. The engine weight is 150kg, the Fuel is 110kg, the Front wing is 10kg, Halo is 7kg, the gearbox is about 40kg, and the steering wheel is 1.3kg. The chassis does not have a set weight. It depends on the team to make it as light as possible.
Weight of the F1 drivers
The drivers have different physic. Hence their weight is different from each other. Yuki Tsunoda is the shortest driver, and Alex Albon is the tallest, so naturally, their weight differs. The FIA rules have a minimum weight for the drivers as well. They must weigh 80kg. However, if they do not, the ballast will be added to the cockpit. This cannot be placed anywhere else in the car. This 80kg includes the driver’s helmet, shoes and race suit.
This rule was implemented in 2019 so that the shorter drivers do not have an advantage over the taller ones. Previously, there was an overall car weight, the drivers did not have one separately. To meet the overall car weight, the teams had a chance to work on the balance of the car. Things have changed now. Formula 1 aims to level the playing field.
Why do f1 drivers get weighed after a race?
It is easy to spot the drivers checking their weight after a Grand Prix. They are weighed for 2 reasons. During the race, the drivers lose weight, it is to check how much weight they lost. Lewis Hamilton once mentioned he lost up to 4 kilos during the Singapore Grand Prix. It is one of the most intense tracks. In hot conditions, the drivers lose more weight. They have specific training programs and intake plenty of fluids for the weight lost during the race.
The other reason is to check whether the driver and the car comply with the minimum weight limit. The Formula One car is the heaviest they have ever been. In 2008 the cars weighed around 585kg, gradually increasing throughout the years and now weigh 798kg. There were several changes made, like adopting a kinetic recovery system in 2011, changes in the weight of the Pirelli tyres in 2013, including hybrid V6 engines in 2014, and introducing
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)