MAXF1 brings you an overview of the F1 2018 top speeds in the first preseason test in Barcelona measured near the end of the main straight on the circuit Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya.

The F1 top speed is affected by engine power, downforce setting and car rake (floor angle) that increases the volume of air under the car, and thus increases the downforce and drag. In addition, cars with more rake like Red Bull and McLaren have a larger frontal area and thus higher drag that slows them in the straight line.

Ferrari 062 EVO F1 2018 engine is in the first two places in front of the Mercedes factory team and their M09 EQ Power +, but the biggest surprise is Honda RA618H in fourth place in Toro Rosso STR13 reaching 333.2 km/h, nearly 16 km/h more than McLaren in 2017 when they had big problems with vibration and had to use significantly detuned settings.

The fifth and sixth place was taken by Mercedes customers Williams and Force India who had reached the same speed as the main straight (333.1 km/h), followed by Alfa Romeo Sauber C37 which was the slowest of the three Ferrari-powered cars.

The last three places are occupied by three Renault powered teams, the fastest being McLaren (324.2 km/h) while Renault and Red Bull were last with 320.4 km/h.

TOP SPEEDS ON MAIN STRAIGHT

Chassis Engine Top speed [km/h]
1. Haas Ferrari

336.3

2. Ferrari Ferrari

334.2

3. Mercedes Mercedes

333.2

4. Toro Rosso Honda

333.2

5. Williams Mercedes

331.1

6. Force India Mercedes

331.1

7. Sauber Ferrari

329.2

8. McLaren Renault

324.2

9. Red Bull Renault

320.4

10. Renault Renault

320.4

TOP SPEEDS ON MAIN STRAIGHT IN 2017

Chassis Engine Top speed [km/h]
1. Ferrari Ferrari

340.6

2. Mercedes Mercedes

334.2

3. Williams Mercedes

333.2

4. Haas Ferrari

333.2

5. Toro Rosso Renault

331.1

6. Force India Mercedes

331.1

7. Sauber Ferrari

325.3

8. Red Bull Renault

325.3

9. Renault Renault

319.5

10. McLaren Honda

317.6

CIRCUIT DE  BARCELONA – CATALUNYA

Spanish GP F1 2018 Circuit de Catalunya Barcelona track map Photo FIA

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