Why do F1 cars spark?
FORMULA ONE cars have an impressive list of parts to make them go as fast as possible around tracks.
But fans noticed a particularly striking feature that stands out during night races such as the recent Bahrain Grand Prix – showers of sparks following the cars as they race across the tarmac.
Why do F1 cars spark?
Formula One cars have titanium skid blocks underneath which produce the spectacular sparks seen at tracks like Spa.
These skid blocks protect the wooden planks which make up part of the floor of the car. When the car is at high speeds, it gets pressed down onto the track from aerodynamic forces.
The floor then scrapes along the track, producing a light show behind the car as it drives.
Sparks have been a part of the sport since the late Eighties, with teams running their cars as low to the ground as possible to create more downforce.
Especially when full of fuel, the material underneath the cars would scrape along the tarmac, making the infamous sparks we see so often during races.
However, the FIA introduced titanium blocks back in 2015 under then race director Charlie Whiting. Whilst the material was brought in as a safety feature, another impact was making the sport more exciting to watch on screen.
Do the sparks impact driving?
The sparks are great to watch on television but can be distracting for the drivers.
After a race in Bahrain a few years ago, Carlos Sainz said “It looks great on TV, but for the drivers it is not pleasant at all”.
Former race car driver Nigel Mansell would even seek out bumps in the track to create sparks in order to distract drivers close behind.
Why are there more sparks at certain circuits?
Some tracks are more susceptible to producing sparks. Circuits like Spa-Francorchamps that have hills cause many blinding displays as the cars skid along the track.
Night races such as Jeddah and Abu Dhabi also give impressive displays with the sparks standing out against the night sky.