It’s a small, seemingly insignificant piece of paper – however in Components 1, even the tiniest particulars carry weight. Actually. As quickly as an F1 driver climbs out of their automotive after a race – with all of their gear nonetheless on – they head straight for the scales.
Publish-race TV protection usually exhibits FIA officers instructing all 20 drivers to face on a set of scales to make sure they nonetheless meet minimal weight necessities. It’s an important component of FIA protocol that determines whether or not a crew is in compliance with the technical laws.
Since 2019, the FIA has mandated {that a} driver should weigh no less than 80 kilograms whereas carrying their go well with, gloves, helmet, footwear and HANS gadget. In the event that they’re underweight, the crew will add ballast to the cockpit as a result of a driver’s weight is factored into the overall minimal weight of the automotive.
In 2025, that mixed minimal weight is about at 798kg. Nevertheless, adjustments are on the horizon: for the 2026 season, the automotive minimal will drop to 768kg, whereas the required minimal for drivers will enhance to 82kg.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Workforce, and George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Workforce, weigh in with Jo Bauer, FIA
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Each gram counts when races could be received by a tenth of a second, and groups must think about potential weight reduction through the race as nicely. In excessive situations, just like the searing warmth of the Qatar Grand Prix, drivers can shed 2 to three kilograms by sweat alone. But the minimal weight rule nonetheless applies after crossing the checkered line.
The post-race weighing finally serves a twin objective: it ensures compliance, but in addition acts as a well being monitor, giving groups and physiotherapists an thought of how a lot fluid has been misplaced – and the way greatest to assist drivers recuperate. That’s the place the paper slip is available in.
After stepping off the scales, every driver is handed a small receipt which shows their weight right down to the decimal. This slip serves as proof ought to a driver or crew wish to dispute the determine, and even request a re-weighing.
Nevertheless, there’s no protocol for what occurs to the slip of paper from that time onward. Most of the time, the slip finally ends up with the driving force’s physiotherapist. Since physios aren’t current through the weigh-in itself, that slip turns into a key knowledge level in constructing a post-race restoration plan – from hydration ranges to dietary wants.
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