Weight woes: F1 admits cars are bulking up, but can they slim down?
Jun.12 - FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admit that Formula 1 cars are too heavy.
The minimum car-plus-driver weight has skyrocketed with the move to hybrid power units from around 600kg in 2010 to almost 800kg in 2023.
"Also the bigger wheels, they're quite a bit heavier as well," world champion Max Verstappen said. "So that for me goes in the wrong direction.
"When you jump back in an old car, you definitely feel the difference in how agile an old car was. Before 2010 they were even lighter, right?
"But I don't know what we can do about turning it around," he added.
A good step in the right direction, however, is that the FIA is at least acknowledging that it is a problem.
"We need a lighter car," Ben Sulayem told motorsport-total.com. "It will be difficult to achieve, but everyone wants it.
"I come from motorsport where lighter cars are safer and don't use as much fuel. So I'm applying pressure because I come from rallying, where there's nothing worse than having a heavy car," the FIA president added.
The heavy electric elements of the power unit regulations are only ramping up for 2026 and beyond, but Domenicali agrees with the FIA chief that it's a good opportunity to try to lower the minimum weight.
"One of the points that is discussed again and again is the weight," said the Italian, who admits that heavy cars are "not really in the nature of Formula 1".
Average weight of F1 cars from 1950 to 2023
| Year | Average F1 Car Weight (kg) |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 750 |
| 1955 | 700 |
| 1960 | 550 |
| 1965 | 530 |
| 1970 | 550 |
| 1975 | 575 |
| 1980 | 590 |
| 1985 | 540 |
| 1990 | 500 |
| 1995 | 595 |
| 2000 | 605 |
| 2005 | 605 |
| 2010 | 600 |
| 2015 | 690 |
| 2020 | 746 |
| 2023 | 800 |
| 2026 | ? |
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Slimming down is definitely doable. Firstly, MGU-H removal will shed some weight & while the electrical power will consequently increase, lighter batteries should be achievable with matured hybrid technology.
A smaller, 5-speed gearbox could also be an option (I saw this mentioned once but can't remember where or when exactly anymore).
Reducing car dimensions is ultimately the easiest way.
Btw, while the chart shows 'average' weight, they're somewhat inaccurate, so to be precise, 600 kg was the minimum car+driver weight limit in 2000, 620 in 2010, 702 (initially 701) in 2015, & 798 presently.
They could also use boxer engines instead of V6's. More efficient, lighter, smaller than V-shaped engines, which is better for central point of gravity, smaller packaging, better aero, ect.
I agree, or a four-cylinder engine as was originally planned for the post-V8 powertrain era, but unfortunately, the base V6 format got eventually chosen.
Binman is full os Shite hes overseen two huge weight increases since being on the Fia gravy train , and now hes speaking about weight, good to have positive pr for once Binman, even so full of Shite
"Too heavy, need to slim down." What? This is outrageous! Fat-shaming has no place in modern motorsports.
It is a fact that all road cars are getting heavier in recent times, with the added-on safety features. Of course, with hybrid and battery powered cars the weight gain is even greater! And it follows that F1 cars are also getting heavier due to all the electrical componentry and battery systems they now employ.
The only way F1 cars can become lighter is if they return to fully ICE powered cars, and ditch the heavy batteries with their associated paraphernalia.
Car dimensions are also a way.