Ballast

[Jersey Tom]

Ballast (and relatively high minimum weights) is a good thing.

Reduce and/or restrict ballast? No thanks.

[Ian P.]

The only logical reason a team would run a car overweight is to meet the mandated distribution target.
Light cars are (almost) always faster than heavier cars.

Question ....
When is the mandatory weight distribution established .... empty tanks (I suspect this is the case), full tanks (not likely) and is the driver (with seat) included in the measurement.??

If the latter is the case, it may explain the concept of running a car heavier to offset a light or heavy driver and get the distribution correct

I also understood that balast (official balast that is) could only be placed in the chasis between the front and rear wheel axels. Not in the nose.

[hardingfv32]

1.9 Weight :
Is the weight of the car with the driver, wearing his complete racing apparel, at all times during
the Event.

4.4 Ballast :
Ballast can be used provided it is secured in such a way that tools are required for its removal.
It must be possible to fix seals if deemed necessary by the FIA technical delegate

Brian

[Jeffsvilleusa]

What exactly do they use for ballast? Does anyone have any pics?

[richard_leeds]

I've been an advocate of the 'driver + seat minimum weight' rule in the past.

That would also equal out the effect of driver size. The likes of Webber and Kubica have to be on starvation diets to keep their weight down due to their height.

If you decouple the driver and car weight then teams with overweight cars would still be overweight. How about a combined seat and driver weight of say 85kg and a separate weight for the car.

As JT says, allowing low car weights merely opens up an arms race for the lightest car.

[DaveW]

.... allowing low car weights merely opens up an arms race for the lightest car.

The "arms race" exists now - the lighter the chassis, the more scope for ballast. The lightest chassis is not likely to be quickest for stiffness reasons. I suspect that would be the case even without a regulated minimum weight.

[hardingfv32]

If you decouple the driver and car weight then teams with overweight cars would still be overweight. How about a combined seat and driver weight of say 85kg and a separate weight for the car.

Good idea.

Another thought: Horse Racing..... Let us take it a step farther and vary the weight based on the points the teams or drivers have!

Brian

[db__]

If you decouple the driver and car weight then teams with overweight cars would still be overweight. How about a combined seat and driver weight of say 85kg and a separate weight for the car.

Good idea.

Another thought: Horse Racing..... Let us take it a step farther and vary the weight based on the points the teams or drivers have!

Brian

Touring Cars already have weight based handicaps.

[thisisatest]

What exactly do they use for ballast? Does anyone have any pics?

tungsten i think. some used depleted uranium(!) until it was banned.

[Jeffsvilleusa]

Ah, because of the high density. Any idea of what shape it is formed in or how it is attached?

to be honest, I always envisioned bags of sand, but I guess I'm not surprised it's not the case.

[Fil]

(Source: Berkem Ceylan Blog)


(Source: Scarbs F1 Blog / Sutton Images

[Jeffsvilleusa]

cheers!