John N
The success of a Formula 1 car is reliant on multiple features. Its aerodynamic design, choice of tyres, and the quality of the driver all make a difference to how effectively it can compete for wins. However, nothing can be more important than the weather.
The weather has a big effect on all of us, but what about Formula 1 cars and race tracks? Do the weather conditions on certain race days make them faster or slower, or just harder to drive? This article answers these questions.
Heat
Racing in the hot weather is tough for a number of reasons which includes the temperature in the cockpit reaching degrees of close to 500C leading to dehydration. When drivers try to get ventilation, they end up getting warm air. Sometimes drivers who leave their visors open run the risk of getting metal, dust or carbon into their eyes.
During a race, a driver loses about 3kg of bodily fluid which equates to nearly 5% of their body weight. To reduce the effects of dehydration, drivers’ cockpit contains about one litre of water which heats up quickly. Sometimes drivers prefer energy drinks as this replenishes the salt lost through sweat as a result of the carbohydrates and sodium present in the composition of the drinks. The caffeine also helps to increase concentration and focus.
F1 drivers also contend with the rising temperature of asphalt on a hot day. An increase in temperature means an increase in the wear and tear of the tyres. Hence, the use of hard tyres because they last longer than the soft tyres on hot asphalt. The Malaysian grand prix is known for its tropical heat making it the hardest ground to race on.
Tire Grip and Down force
In wet conditions, tire grip is reduced and the cars have to rely more on down force to stick to the track. Thus provides much more physical stress for the drivers, as without sufficient tire grip, it is harder for them to slow down when needed, which can lead to accidents.
There are three types of tires in F1: Wet conditions with standing water on the tracks (wet), dry weather tires (slicks), and intermediates (best for showery conditions). Each works best when used in the conditions they are designed for and dangerous in conditions for which they are not. Slicks on a wet track will have little grip so it will be impossible to drive the car, while wet on a dry track will be a few seconds slower.
Rain
Drivers will often choose a rain tire even if there’s heavy rain. Rain or light rain can sometimes cause standing water in part of the track, which is particularly dangerous when braking or entering a corner. Drivers will often change their driving line to avoid this water, but that can make them go off the track or make a mistake. Teams tend to raise the front of the car higher off the ground, which reduces the aerodynamics and in turn makes the car slower. During the rain, visibility is reduced and the spray coming off the car ahead affects how far a driver can see.
Strong Wind
Strong winds aren’t an issue except when they blow across a corner or long straights and disrupt the flow of air over the car – especially at high speeds – which affects the aerodynamics and in turn the handling of the car. Strong winds can also affect visibility by creating dust or sandstorms and such strong gusts may be strong enough to push cars off the track. Strong gusts also means the drivers lose a large amount of downward force.
