Formula One news

Top three cars lightest on grid

As always in 2009, the FIA has revealed the weights of the cars heading into the Grand Prix tomorrow. Any driver who failed to make the cut for Q3 is allowed to refuel before declaring their car's weight, whereas the starting weights of those in the top ten are the same as how they finished in qualifying, and cannot be modified before the race begins.

The starting weights make for extremely interesting reading as, not only is second-placed Alonso lighter than the two Red Bulls surrounding him, but the top three cars are carrying notably less fuel than anybody else on the grid. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has admitted that his team is on an 'aggressive' strategy, but safety cars could compromise Vettel and Webber as they will need to create buffers between themselves and the rest of the pack in order for their plan to pay off.

Just behind, Jenson Button's disappointment is justified as he has less fuel onboard his Brawn than team-mate Rubens Barrichello, despite qualifying behind him. Kovalainen and Piquet have the heaviest cars to start, both with 697 kilogrammes of fuel in their tanks.


Post-qualifying car weights:

1 - Sebastian Vettel / Red Bull = 644.0kg
2 - Fernando Alonso / Renault = 637.0kg
3 - Mark Webber / Red Bull = 646.5kg
4 - Rubens Barichello / Brawn = 661.0kg
5 - Jenson Button / Brawn = 659.0kg
6 - Jarno Trulli / Toyota = 664.5kg
7 - Nico Rosberg / Williams = 650.5kg
8 - Kimi Räikkönen / Ferrari = 673.5kg
9 - Lewis Hamilton / McLaren = 679.0kg
10 - Sébastien Buemi / Toro Rosso = 673.0kg
11 - Nick Heidfeld / BMW = 679.0kg
12 - Heikki Kovalainen / McLaren = 697.0kg
13 - Felipe Massa / Ferrari = 690.0kg
14 - Kazuki Nakajima / Williams = 682.7kg
15 - Sébastien Bourdais / Toro Rosso = 690.0kg
16 - Nelson Piquet / Renault = 697.9kg
17 - Robert Kubica / BMW = 659.0kg
18 - Adrian Sutil / Force India = 648.0kg
19 - Timo Glock / Toyota = 652.0kg
20 - Giancarlo Fisichella / Force India = 679.5kg


Note: Race entrants are displayed in provisional grid order

more news

• 10 Nov.
  • Domenicali: Ferrari wary of 2009 contenders
  • 'The highest achievement of my career' - Brawn
  • Michael: Change tracks for more overtaking
• 09 Nov.
  • Toro Rosso to run Hartley at Jerez test
  • Ricciardo to test with Red Bull
  • Alguersuari becomes SEAT ambassador
  • Rosberg hoping for 2010 title fight
  • Buemi retained by Toro Rosso for 2010
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009 (Part 2)
  • Fauzy set for Lotus reserve role
  • Lotus scouting for fresh talent
• 08 Nov.
  • 'I came out of it stronger' - Hamilton on 2009
• 07 Nov.
  • Alonso enjoys first Ferrari factory visit
  • Brawn looking forward to Senna debut
• 06 Nov.
  • Follow GPUpdate.net on Twitter!
  • Wind tunnel operator sues Force India
  • Toyota-assisted Kobayashi eyeing Lotus seat
  • Sutil: Abu Dhabi 'a shame' for Force India
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009 (Part 1)
  • Lotus wanting experienced drivers
  • Anthony Hamilton: Räikkönen the best option for McLaren
• 05 Nov.
  • Renault decision to come in December
  • GPUpdate TV: Vettel receives sports car prize
  • Ecclestone: 2 days for Silverstone to sign
  • Etihad and Aldar to pay damages to Force India
  • 'F1 organisers to blame for lost teams' - Ferrari
  • Hülkenberg to test Williams next month
• 04 Nov.
  • FIA warns again: Credit crunch will win
  • Renault holds emergency meeting about F1 future
  • FOTA thanks Toyota's Howett
  • Ekström beats Schumacher for Race of Champions
  • Hülkenberg targeting Barrichello pace
  • Photos: Race of Champions 2009
  • Pirelli not interested in F1
  • Vettel and Schumacher win ROC Nations Cup
  • Toyota highlights reasons for F1 exit
  • Official: Toyota leaves Formula One
  • An interview with Kamui Koabayshi
• 03 Nov.
  • 'Toyota set to end Formula One project'
  • Red Bull to announce engine partner 'very shortly'

Homepage