Need For Speed: What Makes Formula One Cars So Fast?

To give you a little perspective on the speed these cars clock, just recently in Melbourne in 2019, a car clocked a lap time of 1 minute and 25 seconds. This means that the car covered just over 5 kilometres in less than one and a half minutes.

A modern Formula 1 car goes from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 240 MPH. The G forces a Formula 1 driver experience is more than what astronauts experience during a shuttle launch.

So what features of Formula One cars make them so fast? Let's dive in and have a look!

Photo Credit: www.formula1.com

Aerodynamics

These cars don't just have powerful engines; they also go lightning fast on the corners because aerodynamics play's a role in their movement. Aerodynamics, in a nutshell, means the effect of air on an object and its analysis. It is a known fact that teams allocate up to 20% of their budgets on the aerodynamics of their cars. Aerodynamics are essential because they generate downforce, which means that the cars get pulled into the ground. More downforce means more grip on the ground, and cars can turn quicker on turns, leading to faster lap times.

Photo Credit: www.marca.com

The Wings

The front part of the F1 car is responsible for 40% of the downforce that a car generates. It is naturally the first part that comes into contact with air at high speeds, and it is designed in a way (upside down) to ensure that the car gets stuck to the ground rather than flying off. The wings also make the car move faster.

Optimization

The downforce in a Formula 1 car has to be adjusted with the track type. With the change in tracks, the teams' strategy and car's features change. On tracks where there are more turns, such as the Singapore circuit, the teams alter the features of their car to create more downforce, which allows the car to take more turns and at faster speeds to reduce lap times.

On a circuit like Monza, where there are fewer turns, the teams reduce the features and alter the car to create lesser downforce to go faster on straight stretches.

The Engine

The engine of an F1 car is typically sized like the one in a passenger car, but it is much more powerful. These cars use short-stroke engines, and their cylinder looks like a honey puck. This shape allows the engine to take in more air and fuel with short strokes for the engine pistons. This allows a lot more efficiency.

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The Gearbox

Did you know that the F1 cars have semi-automatic gearboxes? The gearboxes are automated, but the drivers use the clutch while starting the car and change the gears themselves. These gears are mounted on the back of the steering wheel, and engaging them at the correct times requires a lot of skill.