Could a normal joe drive an F1 car

[M5Rick]

[shiftdnb]

I saw a video with the YouTuber Seen Through The Glass and he did an Formula 4 car. He was talking about how he went down a straight and hit the brakes as hard as he could and he couldn't hold up his head the G forces were too much for him. He went in and the guy was like congrats you hit 40% braking.

[M5Rick]

If that's just an F4 car I can't imagine what it's like in a late F1 car, their necks must be iron muscle but the HANS device would help a bit.

[eleven11]

When Richard Hammond drove an F1 car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGUZJVY-sHo

[MontyB1]

In short not a chance.

As the above shoes you could get it round but not enough to get the tyres warm. There is a reason that the neck muscles of an F1 driver are nealy as wide as their head. They do insane levels of training to manage a full race in a current F1 car.

Anyone watch older F1 when fitness wasn’t what it is today and it wasn’t abnormal for neck to give way that drivers could hold their head up and some even had to retire from the race.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

In short not a chance.

As the above shoes you could get it round but not enough to get the tyres warm. There is a reason that the neck muscles of an F1 driver are nealy as wide as their head. They do insane levels of training to manage a full race in a current F1 car.

Anyone watch older F1 when fitness wasn’t what it is today and it wasn’t abnormal for neck to give way that drivers could hold their head up and some even had to retire from the race.

Yeah back in the old days, drivers started a race with straight heads, and towards the end you could how spent they were by how much their heads tilted mid-corner from.the g-forces. Tired drivers made mistakes. F1 was so much more interesting back then.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by eleven11

When Richard Hammond drove an F1 car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGUZJVY-sHo

The engineers stitched him up

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

The engineers stitched him up

Poor Hammond, if he didn't talk so much he'd get it right

[Techno 9000]

I remember the editor of F1 Racing magazine being allowed to drive the Williams car at the end of pre season testing in Spain some years ago. They said he'd have to get a racing licence (obviously not a Super Licence) first IIRC. I think this was to make sure he wasn't a muppet.
Fast forward to the test days and the rain came down, far from ideal. Even so the chap was allowed out, but the car was spinning almost everywhere, on multiple occasions in a lap even when it appeared to be going in a straight line. He didn't bin it completely into the Armco thankfully.
Since that day I have a new found respect for the drivers when the rain comes down.

So yes, I think a normal joe can drive it in the dry, but the wet is a different kettle of fish.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Anyone watch older F1 when fitness wasn’t what it is today and it wasn’t abnormal for neck to give way that drivers could hold their head up and some even had to retire from the race.

You bet.
Just look at the Lion right after winning the Monaco GP back in 1992.

[rcracin]

I think the older cars were much more difficult to drive on top of the lack of intense fitness regiments.

The cars were much more raw and obviously the 3 pedals and gearshift. Remember Senna's Brazil win where he had to hold the gear in place? He was in intense pain after that race.

And no, a normal joe couldn't drive an F1 car. They'd never get temperature into the brakes as Hammond displayed.

[NickyC]

Sure, people drive them all the time. Of course, there's a huge difference in speed between an amateur and a pro but yes, technically anyone can drive them (unless of course you're like me and would have no chance in the world of actually fitting in one).

Some folks drive them pretty damned well like this guy.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

If that's just an F4 car I can't imagine what it's like in a late F1 car, their necks must be iron muscle but the HANS device would help a bit.

That and the head supports they have on the side of the cockpit, a normal person would probably just let their head rest on that thing during corners and let the hans hold their neck under braking. Probably wouldn't be able to see the corners and apex's really well as a result.



But imagine driving in the 40C heat for hours on end and no drink while having to strain against the G forces. I would probably black out and bin the car.

[VisualEcho]

If the point of the experience is actually to enjoy it, then the car should be modified to allow a normal person to do just that. Instead, it's like your new professor talking over your head for the sake of making you feel stupid, all the while making himself look stupid.

Skip it. Formula3 is a much better experience.

[msk340i]

Originally Posted by eleven11

When Richard Hammond drove an F1 car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGUZJVY-sHo

I read somewhere (I know the Internet is full of BS) that the Renault he drove was so detuned that it was more like a GP3 car than a Formula 1 car.

[Red-Eye51]

If you have the money, you can pay to drive some older F1 cars
Only for the rich elite few

[shawnhayes]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

If the point of the experience is actually to enjoy it, then the car should be modified to allow a normal person to do just that. Instead, it's like your new professor talking over your head for the sake of making you feel stupid, all the while making himself look stupid.

Skip it. Formula3 is a much better experience.

Isn't the point of a Formula 1 car to win? Regardless of the cost to the owner, the team, and damage to the driver? Isn't it?

Hard to modify that to make that enjoyable. Unless you're a masochistic adrenaline junkie.

Shawn

[Killed by Death]

I'd love to give it a go in a previous generation car

They can shove the new generation hybrid $hit

[Artemis]

The new FIA president drove an F1 car a decade or so ago. It lasted approximately 7 seconds.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Artemis

The new FIA president drove an F1 car a decade or so ago. It lasted approximately 7 seconds.

Bet that increases your team's insurance premiums...

[NickyC]

That was a hard shunt too, he barely missed going in nose first. Wow.

[Artemis]

The way to F1 is also long and expensive.

For example F3 and F2 winner Oscar Piastri (Australia): https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsp...07-p59ffq.html