FORMULA ONE: Tech Lesson: The Formula One Car
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
September 19, 2001INDIANAPOLIS - A look at the Formula One cars that will compete at the SAP United States Grand Prix on Sept. 30 at Indianapolis:
ENTRANTS
-- Each entrant must construct its chassis and enter two cars and drivers in all races of the season. Any entrant that misses a race must pay a substantial fine unless it can prove extraordinary extenuating circumstances. The total entry is limited to 12 two-car teams. This year, there are 11 two-car teams.
CAR DIMENSIONS
-- Height: Overall height cannot exceed 37.4 inches (95 cm).
-- Width: Overall width cannot exceed 70.87 inches (180 cm).
-- Minimum weight: 1,322.77 pounds (600 kg), including driver.
-- Maximum complete wheel width: Front - 13.98 inches (35.5 cm). Rear -
14.97 inches (38 cm).
-- Minimum complete wheel width: Front - 12.07 inches (30.5 cm). Rear - 14.38 inches (36.5 cm).
-- Maximum complete wheel diameter: 26 inches (66 cm), dry tires; 26.4 inches (67 cm), wet tires.
TIRES
-- Four circumferencial grooves on each dry-weather tire. The grooves are at least .01 of an inch (2.5 mm) deep, and .552 of an inch (14 mm) wide at the top and .04 of an inch (10 mm) wide at the bottom.
ENGINE
-- The engine must be a 3-liter (183 cubic inches) V10 four-stroke with reciprocating pistons. Supercharging and turbocharging are forbidden.
-- Engines may have no more than five valves per cylinder.
-- Basic materials of the crankshaft and camshaft must be made from steel or cast iron. Pistons, cylinder heads and cylinder blocks may not be composite structures that use carbon- or aramid-fiber reinforcing materials.
-- Formula One engines generate up to approximately 840 horsepower.
-- Formula One engines have a maximum rpm of approximately 18,500.
FUEL
-- Formula One fuels are unleaded and composed of components normally found in commercial fuels. Before the event, the competitor must submit a fuel sample for analysis and approval by the FIA. Fuel samples taken during the course of the event must match the footprint of the original sample.
FUEL TANK
-- The fuel tank must be a single rubber bladder tank that conforms to required safety regulations and is situated between the driver and the engine.
ELECTRONICS
-- Electronic driver aids such as anti-lock brakes, torque steering and "active" suspension are forbidden. -- Traction control and launch control became legal this year at the Spanish Grand Prix in April.
TRANSMISSION
-- Automatic gearboxes became legal at the Spanish Grand Prix in April.
-- The number of forward gears permitted is four to seven. Reverse gear must also be fitted.
SUSPENSION
-- All cars must be fitted with sprung suspension. Computerized "active" suspension systems are forbidden.
COCKPIT
-- The driver must be able to undo his safety belts, remove the steering wheel and climb out of the cockpit in five seconds and then replace the steering wheel in a total of 10 seconds.
DRIVER'S SEAT
-- The driver seat must be able to be removed from the car with the driver still in it.
COMPARING A FORMULA ONE CAR AND AN INDY RACING LEAGUE CAR
FORMULA ONE
INDY RACING LEAGUE
Engine size/type
F1: 3-liter V10
IRL: 3.5-liter V8
Horsepower
F1: Approximately 840
IRL: Approximately 650
Top racing speed
F1: Approximately 225 mph
IRL: Approximately 230 mph
Maximum RPM
F1: Approximately 18,500
IRL: 10,700 (with rev limiter)
Fuel
F1: Unleaded racing gasoline
IRL: Methanol
Engine turbocharging
F1: Forbidden
IRL: Forbidden
Traction control
F1: Allowed
IRL: Forbidden
Tires
F1: Four circumferencial grooves
IRL: Slicks
Minimum weight
F1: 1,322.77 pounds with driver
IRL: 1,550 pounds without driver
Maximum height
F1: 37.4 inches
IRL: 38 inches
Maximum width
F1: 70.87 inches
IRL: 78.5 inches
Gearboxes
F1: Automatic
IRL: Manual
Forward gears
F1: Four to seven
IRL: Six
Text provided by Paul Kelly
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