After Formula 1 races, drivers receive a piece of paper – but what is the significance of this inconspicuous piece of paper?
At first glance, it seems like a minor detail, but in Formula 1, even the smallest detail carries weight – in the truest sense of the word. As soon as a driver climbs out of the cockpit after the race – still wearing their racing suit, helmet, gloves, shoes, and HANS system – they head straight for the scales.
The TV broadcast after the race often shows officials from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) asking the drivers to step onto the scales. Weighing is an integral part of the FIA protocol to ensure that the teams comply with all technical regulations.
Since 2019, the regulations stipulate that a driver must weigh at least 80 kilograms including his equipment. If he is lighter, the team must compensate with additional ballast in the cockpit – because the driver’s weight is included in the total minimum weight of the car.
Minimum weight must be maintained
In 2025, this combined minimum weight will be 798 kilograms. However, there will be a change for the 2026 season: the minimum weight of the car will drop to 768 kilograms, while the prescribed driver weight will increase to 82 kilograms.
In a sport where tenths of a second can decide between victory and defeat, every gram counts. Fluid loss during the race must also be taken into account – especially in extreme conditions such as the Qatar Grand Prix, where drivers can lose up to three kilograms through sweat alone. Nevertheless, the minimum weight must still be maintained after crossing the finish line.
Weighing after the race serves two purposes: on the one hand, it ensures compliance with the rules, and on the other, it also serves as a health check. This tells teams and physiotherapists how much fluid has been lost – and how best to aid recovery. This is where the little slip of paper comes in.
Weight is meticulously recorded
After weighing, each rider receives a strip of paper on which their exact weight – including decimal places – is noted. This document serves as proof in the event of discrepancies or if a rider or team requests a recheck.
What happens to this slip of paper afterwards is not specified. In most cases, it goes straight to the rider’s physiotherapist. As the physios are not present during the weigh-in, this slip of paper is an important piece of data for the recovery plan – for example, to assess fluid balance or for nutrition after the race.
