Formula 1 or simply known as F1 is among the most intense and exciting sports worldwide, both for its audience and drivers themselves. What this mean is, cars and drivers are constantly pushed to their limits. One factor in achieving this lies in the driver. As a matter of fact, if you’d notice, the majority of the F1 drivers are skinny and small.
Being One with the Car
F1 drivers are fairly skinny because to be able to go fast, the car’s weight and driver ought to be as low as possible. There are actually minimum weight requirements but teams are trying to be as close as they can to the minimum. They are doing everything they can to ensure that their cars are meeting regulatory standards and their drivers too. This is why drivers are always in constant training and in a strict diet. Some even undergo Ethos CoolSculpting in New Jersey to keep their figure.
Why Weight is a Big Deal in F1?
When people are talking about how much they weigh and their actual weight as well, they are typically referring to their body mass. This is measured in stone, pounds or kilograms whereas weight is a force of gravity on the given mass. But for this article, we will be sticking to the masses of the car and driver.
One of the vital factors in terms lap time is the tire’s grip. This is essential in making sure that the car will be planted on the ground. But downforce also has a say in this aspect as well as aerodynamics. The car’s weight is important the heavier the car is, the more weight its engine needs in order to push it on the track.
For instance, a race car that weighs 500kg makes it easier for the engine to push compared to 1000kg. This is why heavier and bigger cars tend to have larger engines compared to small hatchbacks.
F1 Driver Weight
Drivers need to be skinny and short because their seat and helmet could add to the total weight of the car. As the car is designed to be as light as possible, there’s not enough room for the driver. This is yet another reason why they are expected to be skinny and small.