A Formula One car has to weigh no less than 605kg, including the driver and his helmet. But the cars are actually built far lighter than that. Ballast is then used to bring the cars up to the regulation weight. The ballast is placed so that it gives the best possible weight distribution for optimum handling and tyre use. Therefore, the lighter the car can be made, the more the team can vary the car’s weight distribution to suit the track and the driver’s preference.
The lightest of the current cars pre-ballast and without driver – 60–75kg – is believed to be around 410kg. The ballast is normally made from tungsten and is mounted on the lowest point of the car’s underbody in order to keep the centre of gravity down.
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