F1 question

Maybe I should know this, but I don't.

Do the weigh limitations for F1 cars include the driver, or are they the car only?

well, they weigh each driver immediately after the race, so I would think that the regs include driver weight. disclaimer: logical thinking and F1 rules don't always go hand in hand.

http://formula1.about.com/od/drivers/a/Driver_Weights.htm

The problem was that the rules of car weights from the pre-KERS time were not changed. That is to say, a Formula 1 car must weigh no more than 605 kilograms, or 1334 pounds, with the driver aboard during a race. Those are the rules. If the car and driver weigh more than that, they are disqualified from the race or race results. Where that created problems in 2009 was that a KERS system weighs some 30 kilograms.

Actually, it was raised from 642 kg in 2013, 690 kg in 2014 and 702 kg for 2015. A big reason for the increase was the heavier power units.

z31maniac wrote: http://formula1.about.com/od/drivers/a/Driver_Weights.htm The problem was that the rules of car weights from the pre-KERS time were not changed. That is to say, a Formula 1 car must weigh no more than 605 kilograms, or 1334 pounds, with the driver aboard during a race. Those are the rules. If the car and driver weigh more than that, they are disqualified from the race or race results. Where that created problems in 2009 was that a KERS system weighs some 30 kilograms.

Wait, there is a maximum weight limit?

Is there a minimum?

so they have a maximum weight? then why is it that after the end of every F1 race that i've ever watched (admittedly, not too many, but more than a few), the cars all go around on the cool down lap and try to pick up as much tire rubber as they possibly can to make their car weigh more?

is there a minimum weight?

Required maximum weight? What?
I'm trying to think why that would even be a thing.
But yes, I recall hearing commentators mention intentionally picking up rubber from the track after the race ends.

Right now its 701kg and its a minimum, not a maximum.

....sorry, and it's the combined weight.

Z31 simply misspoke, methinks. It's a minimum, no max.

Although back in the 30's, it was a max weight limit. Legend has it that's why the white Mercedes cars showed up in bare aluminum without paint, to eke under the limit. The dawn of the Silver Arrow.

Thank you.

Is that similar to other racing series and classes? Do weight restrictions typically include the driver (fuel, etc)?

Typically, yes. There's one high-profile exception, I think it's NASCAR. I remember there was some fuss when Danica arrived that her light weight gave her an advantage over the big boys.

It goes both ways. Usually though, it includes the driver for the most part and it's the weight right after they exit the track. So if you are close and its a hot day, you may be under because the drive sweat too much weight during the race. I've seen it happen on the club level.

Nascar is funky: (the danica clause)

For drivers weighing 139 pounds or less, the car’s minimum weight is 3,325 pounds.

For drivers weighing 140-149 pounds, the car’s minimum weight is 3,315 pounds.

For drivers weighing 150-159 pounds, the car’s minimum weight is 3,305 pounds.

For drivers weighing 160-169 pounds. the car’s minimum weight is 3,295 pounds.

For drivers weighing 170-179 pounds, the car’s minimum weight is 3,285 pounds.

For drivers weighing 180-189 pounds, the car’s minimum weight is 3,275 pounds.

For drivers weighing 190-199 pounds, the car’s minimum weight is 3,265 pounds. (Rule change with deduction of 10 pounds.)

For drivers weighing 200-209 pounds, the car’s minimum weight is 3,255 pounds. (Rule change with deduction of 20 pounds.)

For drivers weighing 210-219 pounds, the car’s minimum weight is 3,245 pounds. (Rule change with deduction of 30 pounds.)

For drivers weighing 220 pounds or more, the car’s minimum weight is 3,235 pounds. (Rule change with deduction of 40 pounds.)

Keith Tanner wrote: Typically, yes. There's one high-profile exception, I think it's NASCAR. I remember there was some fuss when Danica arrived that her light weight gave her an advantage over the big boys.

When a bunch of really good female riders showed up in NHRA Pro Stock bike, the weight limit for the combination remained the same, but there is an advantage based on where they can place ballast.

Keith Tanner wrote: Typically, yes. There's one high-profile exception, I think it's NASCAR. I remember there was some fuss when Danica arrived that her light weight gave her an advantage over the big boys.

that was the problem with CART … I think it was Robby Gordon that pointed out the advantage that Danica would have v. so one like him …

if I remember correctly he mention something like ~ 100# advantage

bmw88rider wrote: I've seen it happen on the club level.

At our last BMW endurance race we were in a podium spot but almost out of fuel and worried about being slightly under weight. When I pulled the car down pit road one of the crew handed me a gallon igloo jug in the window on the way to the scales "to drink out of"

I thought the point of getting pickup on the tires of an F1 car was for ride height...

This doesn't make sense even to me because they got rid of all the fuel therefore the car should be higher. Not sure the weight makes sense either..

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

In either case they'd have to be damn close that it would make a difference I'd think.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

bmw88rider wrote: I've seen it happen on the club level.

At our last BMW endurance race we were in a podium spot but almost out of fuel and worried about being slightly under weight. When I pulled the car down pit road one of the crew handed me a gallon igloo jug in the window on the way to the scales "to drink out of"

I may have put a very large drink bottle in one of our cars at the last pit stop in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

there's someone on here that tells the story of a car he/the rest of the crew knew was under weight … while waiting in line at impound they took one of those massive beach towels and soaked it in a cooler (who knows how much it weighed) and dumped it in the passengers floor boards … handed the driver a large bottle of water … rolled the car up on the scales and put the water bottle on the roof …

the scrutineer came all unhinged and very emphatically told them to remove that water bottle … then went on and weighed the car … it passed

recently at our local dirt track, a driver was disqualified for being under weight.

They have all of the cars drive over the scales following the checkered flag.

Driver said he didn't allow enough fuel for all the yellow flag laps.

Wait, what? Did they extend the race or something?

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

Most short tracks don't count caution laps until the end.

Keith Tanner wrote: Typically, yes. There's one high-profile exception, I think it's NASCAR. I remember there was some fuss when Danica arrived that her light weight gave her an advantage over the big boys.

But can you imagine being the guy that filed such a protest?

Back in his prime Mark Martin had to have the same kind of an advantage, to the extent it's any advantage in cars that size.