The mass of the 2022 Formula 1 car, including driver and without fuel, must not be less than 798kg at all times during the Competition, says Article 4 of 2022 FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations.
If, when required for checking, a car is not already fitted with dry-weather tyres, its mass will be determined using a set of dry-weather tyres selected by the FIA technical delegate.
The minimum weight for 2017 is increased to 728 kg because of larger and heavier tyres and wider cars and for 2018 weight is increased because of halo head protection system introduction.
For 2019 F1 season minimum weight is increased due to wider wings while for 2022 weight increased again due to better safety standard and bigger wheels and tyres.
In 2019 F1 also introduced minimum weight of driver with seat at 80 kg, with additional ballas in seat for drivers lighter than 80 kg.
The cars are weighed with dry-weather tyres.
Ballast can be used provided it is secured in such a way that tools are required for its removal and that it remains immobile with respect to the sprung mass in its entirety. It must be possible to fix seals if deemed necessary by the FIA technical delegate.
Ballast designated for the sole purpose of achieving the driver mass specified in Article 4.6.2 must :
a. Be entirely located to the car between the front and rear extent of the cockpit entry template.
b. Be attached securely to the survival cell and sealed by the FIA.
c. Be clearly identified.
d. Have a density greater than 8000Kg/m3.
Rules dictate minimum weight on each axle to minimize weight avalaible to play with weight distribution. In past, some teams got their weight distribution right and had the advantage for the rest of the year so FIA wanted to eliminate that possibility by narrowing weight window to play with.
Front axe must always be loaded with at least 44.5% and rear with at least 54.0% of total car weight which leaves 1.5% window to play with.
After each of three practice sessions cars can randomly be weighed, just like in Q1 and Q2 qualifying parts. Each car that takes part in final part of qualifying (Q3) must be weighed after the end of the session.
