-Randy

But http://F1.com is a great start and http://f1racing.net isn’t bad at all.

Nobody actually knows at what level the mechanics in Formula 1 is, mainly because these are team secrets and not shared to the press.

Quote(James on March 31st, 2009 at 8:24 pm):
Gopal,

Thanks for telling me a spelling error. It is supposed to be underbraking. Sorry for the mistake. I’ve edited the typo.

Anyways, “underbraking” means slowing down gradually like what we usually do when I want to slow down our car in front of traffic light. As opposed to “overbraking” which we do during an emergency brake.

While F1 drivers with KERS brake their racing cars, KERS recovers some energy and store the energy in battery for the 80 horsepower every lap.

Formula 1 cars have a weight limit of 605kg including the driver and almost every team can make a car much lighter than a minimum weight. So usually the minimum weight is matched by using ballasts that is used to balance up the cars.

With KERS that weights 35kg introduced this season, teams have to sacrifice their ballasts (that gives the car balance) to fit in KERS. The only way to counter that (for a driver) is to go on a weight losing program.

So basically if the drivers don’t lose weight, they lose car balance and would result in the lost of the championship. That’s why KERS have everything to do with the driver’s weight.

Having said that, now the teams (especially Red Bull and BMW Sauber) are asking for a minimum weight increase of the cars so that their heavy drivers (Mark Webber and Robert Kubica) could enjoy both KERS and balance of the car.

Does this long comment answer your question?

Thats answers my question Thanks. If i’m interested to know more detail of F1 in terms of mechanics (ballasts) its location etc… Which website do you recommend?

Anyways, “underbraking” means slowing down gradually like what we usually do when I want to slow down our car in front of traffic light. As opposed to “overbraking” which we do during an emergency brake.

While F1 drivers with KERS brake their racing cars, KERS recovers some energy and store the energy in battery for the 80 horsepower every lap.

Formula 1 cars have a weight limit of 605kg including the driver and almost every team can make a car much lighter than a minimum weight. So usually the minimum weight is matched by using ballasts that is used to balance up the cars.

With KERS that weights 35kg introduced this season, teams have to sacrifice their ballasts (that gives the car balance) to fit in KERS. The only way to counter that (for a driver) is to go on a weight losing program.

So basically if the drivers don’t lose weight, they lose car balance and would result in the lost of the championship. That’s why KERS have everything to do with the driver’s weight.

Having said that, now the teams (especially Red Bull and BMW Sauber) are asking for a minimum weight increase of the cars so that their heavy drivers (Mark Webber and Robert Kubica) could enjoy both KERS and balance of the car.

Does this long comment answer your question?

-Gopal (Penang)