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 |