Formula 1 drivers are weighed primarily for two reasons: to ensure the combined weight of the driver and car meets the minimum weight requirements for fair competition, and to monitor driver health after significant weight loss due to dehydration during races. The minimum weight rule (currently about 82 kg including gear) helps maintain fairness by preventing teams from gaining an advantage through lighter drivers. Drivers can lose 2-4 kg during races from sweating and physical exertion in extremely hot and demanding conditions inside the cockpit. Weighing drivers after races allows officials to check if the minimum weight is still met, and teams to assess the driver's hydration and recovery needs post-race. If a driver is underweight, ballast is added to the car to meet regulations, avoiding penalties or disqualification. Thus, weighing drivers is both a technical regulation for competitive balance and a health measure to monitor how much fluid and body weight drivers lose during a race.
