What is the racing line in Formula One, and why do drivers tend to follow it during Grand Prix weekends, know all the F1 rules of the racing line
Why do they try to prevent that during races as well?
An F1 car can be driven in a variety of ways, with each of the 20 drivers employing somewhat different approaches. Some drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo, like to brake early and roll the speed through the bend before accelerating away.
F1 Racing Line Rules And What Is It In Formula One
Others consider a car with oversteer (when the rear wheels step out) or understeer (when the front wheels don’t turn enough) to be the ideal setup. Max Verstappen prefers a car with a powerful, pointed front end so he can twist the car and deal with the unstable back end in real-time.
Whatever style of driving a driver like, one thing is certain: they must stay on the racing line to complete the fastest lap possible. What is a racing line, and why is it so crucial to F1 drivers throughout a weekend? Why do people want to avoid it while it’s raining?
In F1, What Is The Racing Line?
In Formula One, the racing line is the quickest and shortest route around the track. Drivers attempt to make turns as straight as possible to maintain the highest feasible minimum speed.
The main goal of each corner is to hit the apex, which is the part of the corner that is closest to the car in the middle. Each corner will normally have one fastest route through it, which will be used by drivers during the Grand Prix weekend.
This racing line will be subject to ‘rubbering in’ by the F1 cars as a regular, dry weekend progresses. Because the cars will be following the same lines throughout the lap, the rubber will be laid down to provide the drivers more grip and speed.
It is usually lighter than the remainder of the track, which is sometimes coated in tyre marbles, which are fragments of rubber that have been flicked around.
In The Wet, Why Should It Be Avoided?
The racing line in Formula One may be challenging and slippery in wet circumstances. To find time, a driver can run out wide and try multiple lines through corners to gain extra grip and speed.
The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix, which was held in torrential rain, provided an example. After a safety car restart, Verstappen just went past the outside of Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes at Turn 3 due to the Mercedes being on the racing line and Verstappen finding grip on the outside.