The FIA now publishes the weights of each car after qualifying on Saturday. Those cars that make it through to the final qualifying session must use the fuel they qualified with while the rest of the field may refuel before the race.
Below is a graph showing the actual top ten qualifying times as well as those times adjusted for the weight of fuel each car is carrying. The graph assumes a standard lap time cost of 0.3 seconds per 10kg of fuel.
Looking at these weights we can see that while everyone is roughly in position, Lewis Hamilton really is a lot faster than anyone else. It’s hard not to imagine Hamilton driving off into the distance on Sunday leaving everyone else behind.
Trulli looks quite fast so a podium for him isn’t totally out of the question but it is more likely a McLaren and two Red Bulls will take the final podium positions of 2009.
2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Car Weights
Image: McLaren
The FIA now publishes the weights of each car after qualifying on Saturday. Those cars that make it through to the final qualifying session must use the fuel they qualified with while the rest of the field may refuel before the race.
Below is a graph showing the actual top ten qualifying times as well as those times adjusted for the weight of fuel each car is carrying. The graph assumes a standard lap time cost of 0.3 seconds per 10kg of fuel.
From these weights we can see that Adrian Sutil is running a little lighter than the other top 10 qualifiers and will have to make sure he has a good start to keep in front of Barrichello.
Everyone else seems to be roughly in position but Vettel’s blistering pace is clearly evident. Jarno Trulli may be starting on the front row of the grid but unless Vettel makes a mistake it is unlikely Toyota will score their first win on Sunday.
2009 Japanese Grand Prix Car Weights
Image: Red Bull
September 27th, 2009
David
The FIA now publishes the weights of each car after qualifying on Saturday. Those cars that make it through to the final qualifying session must use the fuel they qualified with while the rest of the field may refuel before the race.
Below is a graph showing the actual top ten qualifying times as well as those times adjusted for the weight of fuel each car is carrying. The graph assumes a standard lap time cost of 0.3 seconds per 10kg of fuel.
From these weights we can see that while nobody is really out of place when adjusted for fuel, Lewis Hamilton is quite a bit faster that his nearest rival Sebastian Vettel. Starting from pole with KERS power Hamilton has every chance of taking the win.
Rosberg’s best qualifying this season was done on merit as well and fuel adjusted he was faster than Vettel in front of him.
2009 Singapore Grand Prix Car Weights
Image: Williams
September 12th, 2009
David
The FIA now publishes the weights of each car after qualifying on Saturday. Those cars that make it through to the final qualifying session must use the fuel they qualified with while the rest of the field may refuel before the race.
Below is a graph showing the actual top ten qualifying times as well as those times adjusted for the weight of fuel each car is carrying. The graph assumes a standard lap time cost of 0.3 seconds per 10kg of fuel.
From these weights we can see that, while they may be on the third row, the two Brawns look quick. They will be one-stopping and Hamilton will have to really fly off the start to prevent being jumped in his second stop.
Interestingly, the two McLarens seem to be on different strategies. Kovalainen looks to be one-stopping and, adjusted for fuel, he was the fastest man in qualifying. Starting on the second row, a podium or even a win looks a real possibility for Heikki on Sunday.
2009 Italian Grand Prix car weights
Image: McLaren
The FIA now publishes the weights of each car after qualifying on Saturday. Those cars that make it through to the final qualifying session must use the fuel they qualified with while the rest of the field may refuel before the race.
Below is a graph showing the actual top ten qualifying times as well as those times adjusted for the weight of fuel each car is carrying. The graph assumes a standard lap time cost of 0.3 seconds per 10kg of fuel.
From these weights we can see that the fuel-adjusted grid is a lot more mixed up than ususal. The quickest driver, fuel-adjusted, was actually Jarno Trulli. He is carrying more fuel than Fisichella but importantly he is also carrying more fuel than Heidfeld and Barrichello behind him. Unless Barrichello can get in front of him, the ‘Trulli train’ could really spoil his day.
But while Fisichella is lighter than some, his fuel-adjusted time is still good. He is quicker than Barrichello, Raikkonen and both Red Bulls!
Sebastian Vettel looks really out of place down in 8th; his fuel-adjusted time puts him 4th. Raikkonen is also faster than Kubica alongside him but Heidfeld’s time shows just how much BMW have improved here.
With such a mixed up grid and the unpredictability of Spa it looks like we are in for an exciting race on Sunday!
2009 Belgian Grand Prix car weights
Image: Toyota