F1's top corners 30km/h faster in 2017, data reveals
Formula 1's fastest corners are more than 30km/h faster this season, thanks to the increase in downforce and mechanical grip from new regulations.
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF70H
Alessio Morgese
Data released by F1's tyre supplier Pirelli after the Singapore GP has revealed a dramatic increase in performance at some of F1's most famous high-speed corners like Pouhon at Spa-Francorchamps and Turn 3 at Barcelona.
Silverstone's Copse remains the fastest proper corner in F1, with top speeds this year's registered at 290 km/h - which is exactly 30 km/h faster than last year.
There have been similar leaps at Barcelona's Turn 3 (36 km/h) and Turn 9 (30 km/h) and Pouhon at Spa which has jumped 36 km/h.
Pirelli cornering speeds comparison
Barcelona Turn 3 |
212 Km/h |
248 Km/h |
Barcelona Turn 9 |
215 Km/h |
245 Km/h |
Silverstone Copse |
260 Km/h |
290 Km/h |
Spa-Francorchamps Pouhon |
253 km/h |
289 km/h |
Different gains
The aim of the new wider and faster cars this year was to deliver laptimes that were around five seconds per laps faster than 2015 around the Barcelona circuit.
That target was delivered, and analysis of lap times shows that there has been some good leaps forward over 2016 pace at certain venues where the increase in downforce and grip has come into its own.
The biggest qualifying gain from last year was the Belgian Grand Prix where Lewis Hamilton's pole position time was 4.191 seconds quicker than Nico Rosberg managed last year.
However, if the lap time comparison is done over a kilometre length, then it is the shorter Hungary track that has improved the most - showing a 0.831 seconds leap per kilometre of circuit.
Excluding Monza which was affected by rain, the smallest gain of the season came at Bahrain - where the high drag from the 2017 cars allied to different weather conditions limited the step to just 0.724 seconds this year compared to 2016.
Qualifying fastest lap comparison:
Australia |
HAMILTON 1:23.837 SS |
HAMILTON 1:22.188 USN |
-1.649s |
-0.311 |
Bahrain |
HAMILTON 1:29.493 SS |
BOTTAS 1:28.769 SSN |
-0.724s |
-0,134 |
China |
ROSBERG 1:35.402 SS |
HAMILTON 1:31.678 SSN |
-3.724s |
-0.683 |
Russia |
ROSBERG 1:35.337 SS |
VETTEL 1:33.194 USN |
-2.143s |
-0.366 |
Spain |
HAMILTON 1:22.000 S |
HAMILTON 1:19.149 SN |
-2.851s |
-0.612 |
Monaco |
RICCIARDO 1:13.622 US |
RAIKKONEN 1:12.178 USN |
-1.444s |
-0.433 |
Canada |
HAMILTON 1:12.812 US |
HAMILTON 1:11.459 USN |
-1.353s |
-0.310 |
Azerbaijan |
ROSBERG 1:42.520 SS |
HAMILTON 1:40.593 SSN |
-1.927s |
-0.321 |
Austria |
HAMILTON 1:06.228 US |
BOTTAS 1:04.251 USN |
-1.977s |
-0.458 |
Great Britain |
HAMILTON 1:29.243 S |
HAMILTON 1:26.600 SSN |
-2.643s |
-0.449 |
Hungary |
ROSBERG 1:19.965 SS |
VETTEL 1:16.276 SSN |
-3.689s |
-0.831 |
Belgium |
ROSBERG 1:46.744 SS |
HAMILTON 1:42:553 US |
-4.191s |
-0.598 |
Italy |
HAMILTON 1:21.135 SS |
HAMILTON 1:34.660 W** |
+13.525s (**) |
+2.335 (**) |
Singapore |
ROSBERG 1:42.584 US |
VETTEL 1:39.491 |
-3.093 |
-0.611 |
(**) Italian Grand Prix qualifying took place in wet conditions due to heavy rain in Monza
Faster races
In terms of the fastest race laps, there have been some even bigger gains.
The fastest race lap in Belgium was more than five seconds quicker than 2016, while done on a per kilometre basis it is Monaco that has come out on top.
Fastest laps times comparison:
Australia |
RICCIARDO 1:28.997 SS |
RAIKKONEN 1:26.538 S |
-2.459s |
-0.464 |
Bahrain |
ROSBERG 1:34.482 S |
HAMILTON 1:32.798 S |
-1.684s |
-0.311 |
China |
HULKENBERG 1:39.824 SS |
HAMILTON 1:35.378 S |
-4.446s |
-0.816 |
Russia |
ROSBERG 1:39.094 S |
RAIKKONEN 1:36.844 SS |
-2.250s |
-0.385 |
Spain |
KVYAT 1:26.948 S |
HAMILTON 1:23.593 S |
-3.355s |
-0.721 |
Monaco |
HAMILTON 1:17.939 US |
PEREZ 1:14.820 US |
-3.119s |
-0.935 |
Canada |
ROSBERG 1:15.599 S |
HAMILTON 1:14.551 SS |
-1.048s |
-0.240 |
Azerbaijan
|
ROSBERG 1:46.485 S |
VETTEL 1:43.441 SS |
-3.044s |
-0.507 |
Austria |
HAMILTON 1:08.411 S |
HAMILTON 1:07.411 US |
-1.000s |
-0.232 |
Great Britain |
ROSBERG 1:35.548 S |
HAMILTON 1:30.621 S |
-4.927s |
-0.836 |
Hungary |
RAIKKONEN 1:23.086 SS |
ALONSO 1:20.182 S |
-2.904s |
-0.654 |
Belgium |
HAMILTON 1:51.583 M |
VETTEL 1:46.577 US |
-5.006s |
-0.715 |
Italy |
ALONSO 1:25.340 SS |
RICCIARDO 1:23.361 SS |
-1.709s |
-0.295 |
Singapore |
RICCIARDO 1:47.187 SS |
HAMILTON 1m45.008 |
-2.179s |
-0.430 |
F1 drivers and teams are bracing themselves for potentially big gains at next week's Japanese Grand Prix, where the high speed nature of Suzuka could lead to a big leap in times.
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