15 Surprising Facts About Formula 1 Cars and Racing

Posted by Karim Ojjeh



Formula 1 is known as the pinnacle of motorsport. For this week’s blog, we decided to bring together surprising information and facts about vehicles and races of this world.

F1 Cars 0 to 160 km to Dead Stop is 4 Seconds


We know that Formula 1 cars are among the fastest cars in the world and they aim to accelerate as quickly as possible. But Formula 1 vehicles, which are groundbreaking in deceleration also, can reach from 0 to 160 and from 160 to 0 in 4 seconds. Sometimes slowing down is more important than accelerating, given the challenging corners of many Formula 1 circuits.

How fast a Formula 1 car accelerates is perhaps something you wouldn't believe unless you saw it.


A Basic F1 Car is $7 million


As you know, F1 vehicles are not sold or bought, they are only produced with the latest technologies. When this is the case, we do not know exactly how much the vehicles cost. But it's estimated that a basic F1 car costs at least $7 million. This estimated figure does not include various hardware. The cost of F1 cars varies according to the design rules that change every year.


Brake Discs Heat up to 1000 Degrees Celsius


Brake disc technologies, which were considered impossible a few years ago, are now widely used in F1 cars. Brake discs can reach 1,000 degrees Celsius after F1 cars do a few laps on the track. It is stated to be equivalent to the heat of molten lava coming out of volcanoes.


Engines Unable to Start When Cold


Although forcing a cold engine is harmful to many motor vehicles, F1 cars cannot be started at all when the engine is cold. That's why F1 technicians warm up the vehicles with external heaters before the vehicles are used. It's also why F1 cars have external heat pipes.


Each Formula 1 Car Has Over 80,000 Parts


A Formula 1 car consists of at least 80,000 parts. The number of these parts can easily exceed 80,000 most of the time. Naturally, these parts have to be put together one by one with great care. Incorrect assembly of even one part can cause the vehicle to fail to show its potential performance.


The Engines Last Around 5 Races


According to the information given by F1 technicians, the engines of Formula 1 cars can last up to 5 races, no matter how sophisticated they are. This is because engines are designed to offer the highest performance, not the longest life. The need for high performance is naturally obtained by stealing from the life of the engine.


F1 Drivers Lose an Average of 4 kg During a Race


As we all know, weight loss is one of the biggest myths about F1. It is sometimes mentioned that pilots experience weight loss of 10 kg. Pilots indeed lose weight due to the unbearable temperatures inside the cockpit. However, on average, pilots lose around 4 kg in a race. Losing 10 kg in a race would be very dangerous if that was true.


The Tires Lose Weight Also


Tires are perhaps one of the most important parts of F1 cars. Each of the tires, which directly affects the overall performance of the vehicle, can lose an average of 500 grams per race. To prevent further weight loss, engineers or Pirelli try to develop new tire technologies every year.


The World's Most Durable Helmets are Used in F1 Races


Unfortunately, accidents are another indispensable event of Formula 1 races. In an environment where many high-speed vehicles and dangerous bends coexist, accidents are inevitable. This being the case, the helmets used by F1 drivers are the most durable helmets ever made. Helmets, which are subjected to the most severe tests before being used, come out of these tests solidly.


F1 Cars Can Be Driven Upside Down


If enough speed and angle are provided, F1 cars can generate the aerodynamics and force to be driven upside down. Of course, at this point, the weight of the vehicle, its speed, and even the amount of fuel it has would have a certain importance.


An F1 Team Consists of 600 People on Average


When we watch F1 races on the screen, we usually see only a few people on the side of the track. But a Formula 1 driver usually takes a 600-person team to get on the track. Since Formula 1 races are very serious sports competitions, many team members work even in tasks that may seem small to our eyes.


F1 Steering Wheels Have up to 20 Keys


It's normal to be confused when you look at the wheel of an F1 car. These steering wheels, which have close to 20 buttons, each with a different function, look like an aircraft steering wheel. Tire pressure, fuel gauge, brakes, speed panel, and countless indicators and buttons are located on this steering wheel.


No Refuels


Contrary to popular belief, Formula 1 cars do not add fuel during the race. A vehicle's fuel tank becomes large enough to run a single race. Vehicles usually only stop for a tire change. Since F1 cars reach extreme temperatures while driving, fuel is not filled anymore during the race due to errors that may occur in the fuel tank.


The Number 13 is Unlucky in F1 Races


In Formula 1, each vehicle and driver is assigned a specific number for easier identification. In Formula 1 history, the number 13 has only been assigned twice. First at the 1963 Mexican Grand Prix and second at the 1976 British Grand Prix. Since number 13 is considered unlucky in the racing world as it is in the rest of the world, it is not surprising that someone doesn’t have this number.


Formula 1 manages to be one of the most interesting and dangerous sports in the world. Formula 1 is getting more interesting and dangerous every year with the developing technology. What do you think about the facts on the list? You can share the surprising facts you know with us in the comments section.

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