Formula 1 is all about details, and this approach applies to post-race procedures.
The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) play a crucial role during a Grand Prix weekend, ensuring cars are compliant through a process called “scrutineering.”
The Sporting News takes a closer look at one of their many important steps – weighing drivers.
MORE: Which driver has the most wins in F1 history?
Why do F1 drivers weigh themselves after a race?
There are two main reasons drivers hop on the scales post-race: car weight limits and driver health.
Car weight limits
F1 cars have a minimum weight, which is established in an attempt to create an even playing field.
Without fuel, cars must weigh at least 740kg (1,631lbs).
Cars are weighed throughout a Grand Prix weekend to ensure they are compliant.
Drivers must be weighed after a race because they are included as part of the minimum car weight.
In 2019, a minimum driver weight of 80kg (176lbs) was introduced.
This figure includes all safety equipment such as the helmet, head restraint, overalls, gloves and shoes.
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Most drivers do not hit this mark, so a weighted ballast is applied to the cockpit of the cars.
The ballast cannot be fixed anywhere else in car to achieve a speed advantage.
If teams do not reach the minimum car weights – which includes a driver’s weight – they could face a penalty, including disqualification.
Driver health
Motorsport is a demanding craft, and F1, in particular, pushes drivers to the limit.
In fact, drivers can lose between 2-4kgs (4.5-9lbs) through sweat loss during a race.
This is due to several factors, including the sheer physicality and G-force, the length of a race, high temperatures inside the car, wearing a thick race suit and external weather conditions.
In hot and humid climates (e.g. Singapore) drivers can lose a dangerous amount of weight.
By performing a weigh-in at the end of a race, medical staff can make important health assessments.
MORE: F1 standings 2024 – Updated driver and constructor points
How much does an F1 car cost?
The exact cost of an F1 car is hard to confirm, but they come to a sum of approximately US$15 million (€15.8 million) each, according to Red Bull.
For the 2024 season, teams are allowed to spend a maximum of $135 million (€128m) on materials and activities related to car performance.
This cost cap has been introduced in an attempt to level the playing field, allowing smaller teams to potentially challenge race-winning constructors.
Before 2021, up to $400 million (€379m) was spent on the construction and development of a top-level F1 car, per Motorsport Magazine.
The cost cap was then reduced significantly to $145 million (€137.5m) in 2021 and $140 million (€132.7m) in 2022.
With a cap still in place, FIA scrutineering ensures teams are competing legally each race weekend.
Full F1 2024 race calendar
Date Grand Prix Track Feb. 29 – Mar. 2 Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit Mar. 7-9 Saudi Arabia Jeddah Corniche Circuit Mar. 22-24 Australia Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit Apr. 5-7 Japan Suzuka International Racing Course Apr. 19-21 China Shanghai International Circuit May 3-5 Miami Miami International Autodrome May 17-19 Emilia Romagna Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari May 24-26 Monaco Circuit de Monaco Jun. 7-9 Canada Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Jun. 21-23 Spain Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Jun. 28-30 Austria Red Bull Ring Jul. 5-7 United Kingdom Silverstone Circuit Jul. 19-21 Hungary Hungaroring Jul. 26-28 Belgium Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Aug. 23-25 Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort Aug. 30 – Sep. 1 Italy Autodromo Nazionale Monza Sep. 13-15 Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit Sep. 20-22 Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit Oct. 18-20 USA Circuit of the Americas Oct. 25-27 Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez Nov. 1-3 Brazil Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace Nov. 21-23 Las Vegas Las Vegas Strip Circuit Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 Qatar Lusail International Circut Dec. 6-8 Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit