How to Test F1 Cars

Formula One or F1 cars need to be thoroughly tested. F1 refers to a high-intensity motor sport and professional race cars they use are complex, powerful machines. An F1 car is tested by its separate parts and as a whole, in the factory and on a number of test circuits. F1 drivers, their backup drivers and test drivers all partake in the testing. Testing takes place before the racing season and not during it. There are a strict set of rules concerning testing enforced by Formula One's governing body, Federation Internationale D'Automobile, or FIA.

Instructions

    • 1

      Test each part of the car in a factory setting. Compare each part to the detailed rules for car construction and testing provided by F1. Ensure each part is durable, legal and functional. Testing methods for each working part vary and will be well known to the technical design team.

    • 2

      Subject your car's design to a wind tunnel test. Like all areas of F1 there are rules for wind tunnel testing too. You may use only a model of your car that is up to 60 percent of the actual size. Furthermore, you are limited to a test speed of 50 meters a second.

    • 3

      Inform the FIA of your testing schedule. F1 teams are limited to 15,000 test kilometers (approximately 10,000 miles) per calendar year. However, young driver training and promotional events do not count. Contact the FIA for a list of approved road testing sites.

    • 4

      Test straight line speed, braking, acceleration, cornering, control, down force and durability during your track-based testing. Give the car a thorough run out using different drivers. Each driver will have his or her own technique and style and will therefore give the team more data to process.

    • 5

      Fit the car with the FIA-approved Electronic Control Unit (ECU) before carrying out a road test. The ECU collects data from up to 300 sensors across the car. All this data is broadcast back to the team's computers and is often referred to as telemetry. This allows teams to test every aspect of the car's performance.

    • 6

      Perform high impact crash tests. Crash tests for F1 cars are overseen by the FIA and usually take place at the Cranfield Impact Centre in Bedfordshire, England. These safety tests include moving crash tests; static load tests and rollover tests.

    • 7

      Use your drivers to perform cockpit safety tests. The driver's cockpit is a single shell monocoque structure that is designed to protect the driver. When testing a car the driver needs to be able to climb out of the cockpit with speed and ease. The seatbelt must be releasable with a single hand movement. Also, test how quickly and easily the driver or a marshal is able to turn off the electric master switch and the fire extinguisher system can be turned on.