F1 drivers are weighed primarily for two reasons: to ensure compliance with the minimum weight regulation and to monitor driver health.
- Minimum Weight Compliance:
- Since 2019, F1 regulations have mandated a minimum driver weight of 80 kg (including the helmet, race suit, gloves, shoes, and other safety equipment).
- This minimum weight is required to maintain fair competition since the combined weight of the driver plus the car must meet a minimum car weight limit.
- If a driver weighs less than the minimum, a ballast (extra weight) is added to the car to compensate. This ballast must be placed in the cockpit and cannot be positioned elsewhere to gain an advantage.
- The weighing after the race ensures that even after losing weight due to dehydration during the race, the driver still meets this minimum, preventing any breach of the rules.
- Driver Health Monitoring:
- During races, drivers can lose between 2 to 4 kilograms, or more, mainly through sweating due to high cockpit temperatures, physical exertion, and G-forces.
- Weighing drivers post-race allows teams and medical staff to assess how much weight has been lost and helps in managing hydration and health recovery.
- It ensures the driver's safety by identifying excessive weight loss which could lead to dangerous health conditions.
This weighing process is therefore an essential part of both regulatory compliance and ensuring driver wellbeing in the physically demanding conditions of Formula 1 racing.
