How fast can an F1 car go?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Blake
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Anyone know how fast an F1 car does the Q.Mile?
 
There was a graph that I had on my PC a few days ago that had estimated engine power for all makes in 2005 as of Imola, based on acoustic measurements. Believe it or not, the Honda was at the top of the scale, with an estimated 950 hp. The next was Renault with 940 hp, and a tie for third was Ferrari and Toyota at 935 hp. Guess who was at the bottom? It wasn't Cosworth, but BMW, with 920 hp.
Unfortunately, I don't have it at the moment as my laptop is on the fritz and is in a lab somwhere at HP.
I think that 250 mph will be easily attainable. Keep in mind, they won't have to worry about making the engine last for a whole weekend, so they will have it running maximum revs, so I could expect 955-960 hp or more from the Honda, since it would be running at full tilt.
Also, like the article said, they will have a special aero package for Bonneville, probably much like the Champ Car wings for super speedways a few seasons ago.
Keep in mind, teams have hit 230-235 mph at Monza in the past few seasons, so 250 mph, with more power, and even less downforce than Monza, is very realistic.
 
Cosworth actually has a very very competetive engine at the start of the season, I don't think development has been very good though.

Blake
 
A few years ago on Australias 60 Minutes program they did an interview with Michael Schumacher at a Ferrari test day. He said an F1 car would easily get to 600kph.
 
Take one to the Nardo ring. :D I'd like to see how fast an F1 could go before the engine blows. :lol:
 
Schrodes
A few years ago on Australias 60 Minutes program they did an interview with Michael Schumacher at a Ferrari test day. He said an F1 car would easily get to 600kph.
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600 KPH ... heh, I think that's a little bit of an exageration. The drag at that sort of speed would be too high, the engines wouldn't be able to push the car to that speed.

Blake
 
what if they ditched the wings all together?

(does anyone want to answer my 1/4 mile question?)
 
EvilToast
not really... maybe if it was like a mclaren or a ferrari but not a honda.
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I believe Honda has the most powerful engine this year my friend. and think how much more powerful it could be without having to survive two races! I think you forget that last year Honda killed Mclaren, BMW, and even beat out Renault.

Just because a team has a bad year doesn't mean they are slow. It happens to every team.
 
I hope to see the car with only enough aero parts to keep it on the ground. that thing could fly.


I still think someone shoul construct a track that goes upside down in some way and see who will test the F1 cars could stick to the ceiling statements. who knows how though?

They should flip all of the aero parts over and see if it will take off :)
 
i think its possible, make it so it can be controlled in flight, then LET it fly!

circra86 your a genius! :lol:
 
It can't be controlled in flight. it's powered by wheel not by thrust.
 
lol..an f1 car without wings is an uncontrollable aircraft. those wings produce downforce 3x the weight of the car, so theoretically.. you can drive them upsidedown! :o

id love to see someone put this theory to the test. drive through a tunnel where the tarmac, walls, and the ceiling is one smooth surface. and just drive that sucker on the ceiling!
 
Omnis
(does anyone want to answer my 1/4 mile question?)
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Obviously there aren't that many independent tests of F1 cars with release of figures to the public, but I've found a few in some magazines.

1997 Stewart Ford

Max Power: 700bhp @17000rpm
Weight: 1323lb
Power/Weight Ratio: 1186 bhp/ton

0-60mph: 3.0 seconds
0-100mph: 4.6 seconds
60mph-160mph: 5.1 seconds
160mph-60mph: 4.0 seconds
Quarter Mile: 8.60 seconds @147mph
Max Accelerative G: 1.5

Now, I've got another two tests, but they're from 0-100mph-0 tests, not quarter mile. They still have some interesting figures though...

1998 (?) BAR Supertec

Max Power: 770bhp
Power/Weight Ratio: 1283 bhp/tonne

0-30mph: 1.8 seconds
0-60mph: 3.1 seconds
0-100mph: 4.6 seconds
100mph-0: 3.1 seconds

0-100mph-0: 7.8 seconds

2002 Jaguar R3

Max Power: 780bhp @18000rpm
Max Torque: 380 ft lb @N/A
Weight: 600kg
Power/Weight Ratio: 1300 bhp/tonne

0-30mph: 1.5 seconds
0-60mph: 2.71 seconds
0-100mph: 4.02 seconds
100mph-0: 1.68 seconds (!!!) :crazy:

0-100mph-0: 5.90 seconds

Standing Mile: 22.3 seconds @215mph

It's worth noting that the Jag was still set up from Monza (it was the one in which Irvine got on the podium), so the set up wasn't exactly tailored for great acceleration.

Anyway, back on topic...I reckon something between 250 and 260mph, but I wouldn't be surprised if it kept going on to 270
 
amp88
2002 Jaguar R3

Max Power: 780bhp @18000rpm
Max Torque: 380 ft lb @N/A
Weight: 600kg
Power/Weight Ratio: 1300 bhp/tonne

0-30mph: 1.5 seconds
0-60mph: 2.71 seconds
0-100mph: 4.02 seconds
100mph-0: 1.68 seconds (!!!) :crazy:

0-100mph-0: 5.90 seconds

Standing Mile: 22.3 seconds @215mph

It's worth noting that the Jag was still set up from Monza (it was the one in which Irvine got on the podium), so the set up wasn't exactly tailored for great acceleration.

Anyway, back on topic...I reckon something between 250 and 260mph, but I wouldn't be surprised if it kept going on to 270
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1.68 seconds? Holy crap. that's almost like just crashing your car into the wall.
 
milhouse83
1.68 seconds?? are you sure? that is obviously a typo.. even if the brakes lock up right away,the tires cant possibly grip that well.
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I don't believe it was a typo...

The magazine states that the F1 car decelerated at 2.5G. Let's calculate the average deceleration if the car stops from 100mph in 1.68 seconds...

v = 100mph = 44.70 m/s
u = 0
a = ?
t = 1.68s

v = u + at
a = (v - u)/t
a = 44.7/1.68
a = 26.61 m/s/s

a = 26.61/9.8
a = 2.7G

Seems roughly in the right ballpark. F1 cars can stop pretty well :)
 
wow..that 100-0mph in 1.68 seconds truly is amazing! it seems like ditching the car on the dirt is a way gentler way to bring the car to a stop than slamming on the brakes! poor driver who had to test this out. you can just imagine the resulting internal injuries huh?
 
I read this from the beginning, and most people are forgetting that when properly tuned, F1 cars aren't built to make a flat out run. They are built for cornering at higher speeds, so that when the apex is reached, the driver can peg the accelorator and dart to the next corner.

Personally, it doesn't matter maker's/blue-printer's which engine gets the record for the top speed, it matters which car/driver is on the podium the most during the season. With that said, I hope that Schumacher stands on that podium in every race. Ferrari has been a dominating force in F1 almost since its inception.

It's not to say that McClaren, Benneton or other cars won't make the podium, I truly believe Ferrari is the best all around.

The true question should be asked here:

  • Which car/engine has won more F1 championships?
 
mflintjer
I read this from the beginning, and most people are forgetting that when properly tuned, F1 cars aren't built to make a flat out run. They are built for cornering at higher speeds, so that when the apex is reached, the driver can peg the accelorator and dart to the next corner.

Personally, it doesn't matter maker's/blue-printer's which engine gets the record for the top speed, it matters which car/driver is on the podium the most during the season. With that said, I hope that Schumacher stands on that podium in every race. Ferrari has been a dominating force in F1 almost since its inception.

It's not to say that McClaren, Benneton or other cars won't make the podium, I truly believe Ferrari is the best all around.

The true question should be asked here:

  • Which car/engine has won more F1 championships?
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Uh... what does this have to with BAR Honda running a car at Bonneville, exactly?
 

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