G. Savage/ Engineering Failure Analysis 17(2010)92-115 4. The""primary structure" of a Formula 1 car consists of chassis, engine and gearbox. Fig. 5. Complete car with secondary structures added. lateral g Fig. 6. Driving"on the limit It has been estimated that a mass of 20 kg above the weight limit equates to a loss of 0. 4 s around a typical grand prix circuit. Less than half a second does not sound very much, but during a full race distance this amounts to half a lap or several grid positions during a qualifying session. with modern materials it is relatively easy to build a car which satisfies all of the statutory requirements whilst still being well under the minimum weight limit. As a consequence the majority of the cars are required to carry ballast (generally in the form of a heavy metal such as tungsten)in order to make up the deficit. At first glance therefore it may seem fruitless to continually aim to reduce the mass of components only to increase the amount of ballast carried. Lowering the weight of the chassis is still of benefit however when one considers Fig. 7. An Fl car is always accelerating, either positively under the influence of the engine or nega der braking. Lower mass enables the engineers to alter the position of the cars centre of gravity and thus greatlyIt has been estimated that a mass of 20 kg above the weight limit equates to a loss of 0.4 s around a typical Grand Prix circuit. Less than half a second does not sound very much, but during a full race distance this amounts to half a lap or several grid positions during a qualifying session. With modern materials it is relatively easy to build a car which satisfies all of the statutory requirements whilst still being well under the minimum weight limit. As a consequence the majority of the cars are required to carry ballast (generally in the form of a heavy metal such as tungsten) in order to make up the deficit. At first glance therefore it may seem fruitless to continually aim to reduce the mass of components only to increase the amount of ballast carried. Lowering the weight of the chassis is still of benefit however when one considers Fig. 7. An F1 car is always accelerating, either positively under the influence of the engine or negatively under braking. Lower mass enables the engineers to alter the position of the car’s centre of gravity and thus greatly influence its handling charac￾Fig. 4. The ‘‘primary structure” of a Formula 1 car consists of chassis, engine and gearbox. Fig. 5. Complete car with secondary structures added. Fig. 6. Driving ‘‘on the limit”. 94 G. Savage / Engineering Failure Analysis 17 (2010) 92–115