Dissecting the weight of Formula 1 cars over the past 15 years
Follow Us
Ferrari F2007 and Red Bull RB18
Formula 1 is all about speed. 20 of the fastest drivers in the world compete against one another to win the F1 world championship. Thus, teams spend millions of dollars every year to ensure the car’s competitiveness. F1 cars are the peak of automotive evolution. Over the years, these cars have become faster and broken several records. However, there has been one backdrop during the evolution of these tremendous machines and that is the weight.
Weight plays a crucial role in any racing car. Formula 1 cars are designed for every minute detail. As such, the weight of an F1 car can make or break the team’s chances in front of the competition. Although, for safety, the rules mandate a minimum weight requirement, which is to be met by all the teams. Over the years, as the sport has evolved with new rules and technologies, there has been a steady rise in this figure.
In 2007, Kimi Raikkonen won his first and Ferrari’s last F1 Drivers’ world championship. For that season, the cars weighed at least 605kgs This figure allowed Formula 1 cars to be nimble and agile through the corners, making the viewers truly feel its pace. The shorter length and wheelbase of these cars only improved this metric, providing some outstanding footage during races. The 2008 and 2009 seasons continued under this weight limit.
Also Read: Toto Wolff confident Lewis Hamilton contract renewal will be a flying lap
Formula 1 cars are almost 200kg heavier today than 15 years ago
However as posted on Reddit, 2010 witnessed an increase in the weight of Formula 1 cars by 15kgs. Resulting in the new minimum weight limit of 620kgs. The addition of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System to F1 that year brought in this change, despite teams not using it. Although in 2011, the teams agreed on the option of using KERS, thus adding a further 20kgs. Putting the Formula 1 minimum weight limit to 640kgs. The 2013 season further added 2kgs.
It was Formula 1’s turbo hybrid era that truly redefined the minimum weight limit. The new V6 turbo hybrid power units added a whopping 49kgs. Making the cars much heavier at 691kgs. The first year dominated by Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. Correspondingly, 2015 also saw a noticeable increase of 11kgs. Although things were about to get heavier once again in 2017 because of another set of new regulations.
Between 2017 and 2021, Formula 1 increased the minimum weight from 728 to 752kgs. This was due to a variety of factors. F1 cars had become longer and generated more downforce. The Halo safety device was introduced in F1 in 2018. As well as the larger Pirelli tires. Although, the cars were fast, they did not seem to replicate the same motion as their older counterparts due to a longer wheelbase.
Formula 1 brought in another set of rule changes for 2022. The sport aimed to utilize ground effect in a bid to enhance racing and promote overtaking. Unfortunately, this too came at a cost as the paddock saw an increase of 46kgs to the weight limit, now at 798kgs almost touching 800kgs! Albeit, fans witnessed closer racing in 2022 as cars were able to follow one another in dirty air. This season will finally see a decrease in the minimum weight to 796kgs.
Of course, Formula 1 cars have remained the best automotive machines throughout this period. But it is important to understand that lighter cars are simply more agile and a delight for the fans. Safety can never be compromised in F1. Thus F1 will never be able to go back to the 2007 levels of car weight. But perhaps in the coming years, the teams can gradually make lighter cars.
Read More: Why did Lamborghini leave F1?
Read More: Why are Ferrari fans called Tifosi?
Stay Updated!
Armaan Agarwal
(2359 Articles Published)