New weight regulations will have big impact on drivers next season

Nico Hulkenberg – Height an issue now for F1 drivers?

In the light of the new rules to kick-off from 2014, Formula One teams say next year’s weight rule for cars could eliminate taller and heavier drivers from the sport.

FIA, the governing body of Motorsports, has increased the combined weight limit of cars from 642 kilograms to 692 kilograms. But 2014 cars, which will have to accommodate 1.6-litre V6 turbo charged engines replacing 2.4-litre normally-aspirated V8 engines, are likely to add 50 kilograms more to the existing cars.

And with new energy recovery system alongside KERS (Kinetic energy recovery system), the Formula One teams will have to struggle strategically to reach and maintain these targets.

McLaren team Principal Martin Whitmarsh said, “The hyper-competitiveness of Formula One teams and the politics of the sport meant a united front in arguing for an increase is unlikely.”

Now the teams will have to keep very close to the weight limit, as even an extra kilogram could cost them time on the circuit.

The impact new weight regulations will have on heavier drivers

There have been serious arguments on the new regulation from the teams and particularly from some of the bigger drivers, who will even miss out seat at teams next season. The bigger and taller drivers will be under more pressure now to retain their spot in teams.

Several Formula One drivers like Jenson Button and Nico Hulkenberg will now face greater troubles with the new weight rules, as these drivers are taller and have been struggling to keep their weight on check.

Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg, who stands six feet tall, even missed out a seat at Ferrari next season because of his height.

Red Bull Racing team Principal Christian Horner emphasized that this issue should be looked at again.

“Theoretically it is not a factor for us because we have got two drivers that are of a reasonable weight, but it does penalize a driver like (current Red Bull driver) Mark (Webber), who could have driven for us, or someone like Hulkenberg,” he said.

Bigger drivers will now have to compromise on their food, cut down their extra weight to meet the sport’s weight restrictions. There is also the fear that some of the drivers might get ill trying to meet the new limits.

Jenson Button is one of the fittest racers on the circuit. “I couldn’t be lighter than I am. I already fast before the race. I eat limited amounts of food and it is always high in protein and no carbs – which puts weight on. And this is all of the time – all year,” he said.

Team perspective

Throughout the year, the teams add parts to their cars, which add more weight to cars. With this new regulation, teams will have to battle to keep their weight down. Teams would not want the weight of the drivers to affect their performance.

New regulations will provide even bigger challenges for all the Formula One teams. With the weight of Formula One cars increasing next season and teams considering drivers sceptically, teams will have to square up on very talented drivers who could be missed for their height and weight and the tall drivers will have more trouble even making it in the Formula One teams.