The weight limits need changed.

[JimClarkFan]

If you read some of the news articles floating around, you will have heard that the Nico Hulkenburg is reportedly not going to be considered for the Mclaren seat because of his weight.

He is 74kg, which is the upper limit of an F1 driver, apparently, and if you believe the rumors, Mclaren don't want another tall/heavier driver to pair Button. The problem seems to be that the new turbo engines are coming in heavier than expected therefore making it harder for the teams to hit their weight.

I personally think that this is unacceptable. Are we seriously saying that in the pinnacle of motor sport cannot and will not accommodate for taller/heavier drivers who clearly have the talent necessary to race in formula 1. Is there no better way in which teams can properly adjust for the weight of drivers and do so in such a way that is fair to all drivers?

[bonjon1979]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1 ... ng-2336588

[Juzh]

I don't think it's really an issue. Why exactly is hamilton moaning?

Sebastian Vettel
Height = 1.76 m
Weight = 58 kg

Lewis Hamilton
1.74 m
71 kg

[tim|away]

From an engineering point of view the mass of a driver is counterproductive wherefore it needs to be as small as possible. The laws of physics aren't fair in an ethical sense and they never will be. An increase of the minimum weight would definitely be the best solution to this issue. This arbitrary weight limit still gives lighter drivers advantages in terms of balance and center of gravity, as additional weights can be placed more flexibly than bodyparts.

Keep in mind though, that weight is only one factor amongst many that a team considers when choosing a driver.

[Holm86]

I don't think it's really an issue. Why exactly is hamilton moaning?

Sebastian Vettel
Height = 1.76 m
Weight = 58 kg

Lewis Hamilton
1.74 m
71 kg

Do you know nothing about physiology and genetics?? You make it sound like Hamilton could just loose some weight if he could be bothered.

Its not like he is out of shape. But some men have more natural muscle mass and bone density.

[JimClarkFan]

From an engineering point of view the mass of a driver is counterproductive wherefore it needs to be as small as possible. The laws of physics aren't fair in an ethical sense and they never will be. An increase of the minimum weight would definitely be the best solution to this issue. This arbitrary weight limit still gives lighter drivers advantages in terms of balance and center of gravity, as additional weights can be placed more flexibly than bodyparts.

Keep in mind though, that weight is only one factor amongst many that a team considers when choosing a driver.

This right here is what needs changed, the ballasts should be place in a position on the car which is not only safe but also minimises the advantage from being lighter. In my view the ballasts should be positioned under the drivers ass or at the back of his seat.

Currently you can fix ballasts wherever you like.
http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules ... 1/fia.html

I don't think it's really an issue. Why exactly is hamilton moaning?

Sebastian Vettel
Height = 1.76 m
Weight = 58 kg

Lewis Hamilton
1.74 m
71 kg

Do you know nothing about physiology and genetics?? You make it sound like Hamilton could just loose some weight if he could be bothered.

Its not like he is out of shape. But some men have more natural muscle mass and bone density.

Hamilton could lose a few kilos of muscle easy. There isn't much fat on him though, and he seems to be a bigger build than Sebastian generally.

I had no idea that Vettel was so light.

[turbof1]

I don't think it's really an issue. Why exactly is hamilton moaning?

Sebastian Vettel
Height = 1.76 m
Weight = 58 kg

Lewis Hamilton
1.74 m
71 kg

Do you know nothing about physiology and genetics?? You make it sound like Hamilton could just loose some weight if he could be bothered.

Its not like he is out of shape. But some men have more natural muscle mass and bone density.

Exactly. Might I add that having a weight of only 58kg with that length doesn't exactly sound healthy.
The whole minimum weight system is unfair. To be 100% fair you need to take the heaviest driver out there and add the difference between the other drivers in ballast to their suits. That would eliminate both the driverweight problem and CoG disadvantage.

[Juzh]

I don't think it's really an issue. Why exactly is hamilton moaning?

Sebastian Vettel
Height = 1.76 m
Weight = 58 kg

Lewis Hamilton
1.74 m
71 kg

Do you know nothing about physiology and genetics?? You make it sound like Hamilton could just loose some weight if he could be bothered.

Its not like he is out of shape. But some men have more natural muscle mass and bone density.

There's no way bones alone will add SO much weight. And why then is vettel always the most relaxed and conditioned driver in pre-podium backstage, despite being the lightest driver of all? I don't buy it.

[Juzh]

I might have expressed myself wrongly. I don't mind heavier and taller drivers, I just do mind CONSTANT minimum weight increases which will ultimately slow down F1 ever more, to the point gp2 cars will be faster. They should change the rules elsewhere to make the minimum limit easier to achieve. Like allowing some exotic materials again and stuff like that. But no, this is FIA after all.

[Arterius]

I think to combat something like this happening a new regulation should be made whereby the team has to place ballast under the seat of the driver equal to 85kg minus the weight of the driver. Therefore the extra weight will be in that area regardless if the driver weighs 60kg or 85kg.

[JimClarkFan]

I think to combat something like this happening a new regulation should be made whereby the team has to place ballast under the seat of the driver equal to 85kg minus the weight of the driver. Therefore the extra weight will be in that area regardless if the driver weighs 60kg or 85kg.

Good idea, or something similar to that.

[Holm86]

I don't think it's really an issue. Why exactly is hamilton moaning?

Sebastian Vettel
Height = 1.76 m
Weight = 58 kg

Lewis Hamilton
1.74 m
71 kg

Do you know nothing about physiology and genetics?? You make it sound like Hamilton could just loose some weight if he could be bothered.

Its not like he is out of shape. But some men have more natural muscle mass and bone density.

There's no way bones alone will add SO much weight. And why then is vettel always the most relaxed and conditioned driver in pre-podium backstage, despite being the lightest driver of all? I don't buy it.

I never said that bones alone would add that much weight. But they do add to the total weight. But muscle physiology is very different in people. Muscle mass isnt an indicator of strength. Some people needs more mass to be able to perform a certain feat of strength. This is down to muscle fibre activation. This means that some muscle are more power dense than others.

And again different people react different to a certain training program. Perhaps 2 people following the same program will end up being just as strong. But one will probably gain more mass than the other.

[SectorOne]

I think to combat something like this happening a new regulation should be made whereby the team has to place ballast under the seat of the driver equal to 85kg minus the weight of the driver. Therefore the extra weight will be in that area regardless if the driver weighs 60kg or 85kg.

One of the best ideas i´ve read here.

I think for a level playing field what should separate the drivers is hand/eye/feet coordination and not weight.

[Hail22]

I think to combat something like this happening a new regulation should be made whereby the team has to place ballast under the seat of the driver equal to 85kg minus the weight of the driver. Therefore the extra weight will be in that area regardless if the driver weighs 60kg or 85kg.

I looked at your location, is that you Rory Byrne?

Jokes aside, its a logical and sound idea. This should be put forward to the FIA delegation and drivers association to be discussed in depth before the start of next season.

[Holm86]

I think to combat something like this happening a new regulation should be made whereby the team has to place ballast under the seat of the driver equal to 85kg minus the weight of the driver. Therefore the extra weight will be in that area regardless if the driver weighs 60kg or 85kg.

I looked at your location, is that you Rory Byrne?

Jokes aside, its a logical and sound idea. This should be put forward to the FIA delegation and drivers association to be discussed in depth before the start of next season.

South Africans really knows something about racecar design