M1078 axle weight distribution
M1078 axle weight distribution driver#
So having a taller - and therefore heavier - driver can put a team at a disadvantage because it means they are likely to be over the weight limit. The issue matters because 1kg of weight equates to about 0.035 seconds a lap on an average circuit. This problem will be even more noted during 2014 because new 1.6 turbo engines are turning out to be heavier than anticipated and teams are still struggling to meet the minimum weight limit as a result. The rules are the way they are (after 2011) because the teams keep voting them that way, so they can't do much other than say 'well, that's what we asked for'. With heavier driver that means less freedom on weight distribution and playing with ballast. This kind of weight distribution puts an emphasis on light drivers. Originally agreed for the 2011 cars to have a limited range of adjustment for weight distribution for a single year to cover the introduction of Pirelli’s, this regulation has proved successful and has now been extended. If, when required for checking, a car is not already fitted with dry-weather tires, it will be weighed on a set of dry-weather tires selected by the FIA technical delegate." If, when required for checking, a car is not already fitted with dry-weather tyres, it will be weighed on a set of dry-weather tyres selected by the FIA technical delegate."įor 2014 only, the weight applied on the front and rear wheels must not be less than 311kg and 366kg respectively at all times during the qualifying practice session. "4.1 Minimum weight : The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 685kg at all times during the Event. Again weight distribution was changed to 311kg on front axle and 366kg rear, which correspond with 45.5 - 46.7% on the front axle and 53.3-54.5 on the rear. Mandated weight distribution ruled for 2014Īnd then, after very extensive rule changes for 2014, with new engines and heavy and complex ERS system, car minimum weight limit has been raised from 642kg to 690kg to take into account the fact that the engines will be heavier as a result of a switch to 1.6-litre turbos with extensive energy recovery from this season's 2.4-litre V8s. This is a few percent more then the typical 2012 loadings. The specified minimum axle weights, equate to a weight distribution ranging between 45.5 - 46.7% on the front axle and 53.3-54.5 on the rear. As a consequence, the weight distribution requirement has also been revised to minimum figures of 292kg - 343kg front to rear. For 2013 cars minimum weight has been increased by the same amount, from 640 to 642kg. Due to changes in their structure, Pirelli's 2013 tires are around 2kg heavier per set (4 pcs) than in 2012. Mandated weight distribution ruled for 2011 to 2013Īlong with the supply of Pirelli tires they will be matched to a mandatory weight distribution. Likewise, if the car is understeering, move more weight balance towards the front. If you find the car oversteering, you could adjust the weight balance towards the rear, giving you more weight and grip in the rear. The advantage of using ballast is that it can be placed anywhere in the car to provide ideal weight distribution. The minimum weight permissible from 2013 is 642 kg, including the driver, fluids and on-board cameras. You can have either more weight in the front or the rear depending on how the car is behaving. In a complete season, a team may use ten sets of these plates, at a cost over the year of something like a half of a million dollar.Īfter adding Ballast to the car, you are able to adjust the weight balance of the car. It's the business of adding weight to bring the car back up to the minimum allowed of 642 Kg (for 2013) by applying very expensive ballast (tungsten plates) in precise though hidden places, usually but not exclusively on the underside of the monocoque. It was something like half as heavy again. That's a long way below a classic from the past, like the Mercedes-Benz W196 which Fangio drove to win the championship 50 years ago. And a modern F1 clutch turns the scale at around 900 grams. These days, the 450kg may be made up of a 90kg engine, a 50kg monocoque, a 40kg gearbox and the same weight for the four wheels, an 11kg rear wing and so on, with the average driver contributing about 70kg. But the best current F1 designs with their special materials like titanium, carbon and magnesium may leave a car weighing something like 450kg. Weight Balance is also a F1 specific tuning option and works hand in hand with the ballast.