How F1 racers turn really fast

It’s all about using the entire width of the road and finding the ideal line.

Cars travel at their fastest speeds when moving in a straight line, and Formula 1 is no different. F1 racers drive at over 215 mph on the straightest parts of the track. But when it comes to turning around tight corners, these kinds of speeds just aren’t possible. In order to avoid spinning out and crashing, racers have to slow down and use physics to strategically craft the most efficient turns while retaining the greatest amount of speed, ideally giving them a leg up against the competition.

The most efficient path through any corner (or set of corners) is generally referred to as the “ideal racing line.”

This line changes depending on the path of the track before and after the curve, but the goal is always to spend as little time in the turn as possible. That means using the entire width of the track to minimize the angle that the car will take around the turn, ultimately allowing drivers to carry the most speed through it.

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[davidvalencia]

A video explaining all the forces and fatigue the drivers are exposed to while racing would be nice. people tend to believe this is easy but these guys are some of the most resistant athletes out there.

[chiragshukla]

F1 may be a rich man's sport, but driving those cars at those speeds is a near-superhuman feat and is truly commendable.

[skynet_]

Tracks also have elevations and depth. That also has to be taken into account.

[shebsheb]

I’m surprised Goatifi’s phenomenal track record wasn’t mentioned.

[MyChannel-wwmo]

4:44 what a nice driver, surely his race wouldn't be compromised with no fault of his own via bad strategy calls

[luklukgamingyt]

As a long time F1 fan, I seriously appreciate the fact that now more than ever, American news and fans are finally tuning in to watch and learn about the spectacle that is Formula 1.

[khalilahd.]

We used to use F1 tracks as examples in my physics class so it’s cool to see it used it real life 😅

[Thebreakdownshow]

As F1 buff please keep making these, i love how F1 is getting all this new interest may be I will make a few videos myself.

[CYMotorsport]

Faint pass attempts, early throttle application for an impending DRS run, switchbacks… tons of reasons you’d also want to purposefully pursue a mathematically non ideal path, too on top of all this correct info. Great to see this discussed!

[GlassTecRacing]

4:37 isn’t the best example of drivers choosing alternate lines. While side by side, these ideas are thrown out the window, as one driver looks to defend the racing line by fending the other away from it. There are better examples during qualifying, where individual drivers will enter a corner more aggressively than others, while others will focus more on the exit. Verstappen likes a front-heavy car for aggressive turn ins, while his team mate Perez prefers a smoother entry, smoother steering input for a cleaner exit. Great video none the less for beginners!

[Rahul-pxmy]

Watching the W11 Mercedes going at 300kmph around pouhon in spa was when i knew that f1 cars are truly something extraordinary. The sheer downforce on those cars are magnificent.

[JJJackson]

theoritically it's all about taking the shallowest line, kissing the apex & maintaining max mininum cornering speed. but every corner is different & driver style matters massively, Alonso for example loves to turn in sharp & early.

[__TClol__]

The '22 Hungarian GP had several excellent camera shots of racing lines and drivers displaying amazing racecraft provided by the helicopter shots.

[legowtham]

And the sheer amount of G-force they experience on those corners is massive and those drivers have my respect.

[volleyballurrrr]

One thing that often gets overlooked when talking about the racing line is that, like Brad said, they don’t exist in a vacuum, and it’s not just other corners that effect the line, it’s the straights between them. The most important corner, on any given flying lap, is the last corner before the longest straight. You must maximize your exit speed on that corner, even if it means compromising a section of the track that precedes it, because every bit of speed you have coming into that straight away is going to be magnified by the end of it.

[zaphod]

Turn 1 at Baku is about the closest to that 90 degree turn you used as an example, not stowe

[SoleR]

Everyone: "Formula1" / "F1"
Vox: "F-1"

[DarkKnight-uzos]

4:41 it is called "not leaving a space" in F1😂 and also all the drivers are following a different line because they are trying to overtake. If you watch a lap where no one is trying to overtake almost all drivers follow a similar line

[ydid]

good on newbies for wanting to learn and love this breathtaking sport :)

[Eddiesoc]

Always love to see big channels bringing new people into the sport