3 Safety Tips for Driving Like a Formula 1 Driver

Here is a brilliant guest post by McMackin, linking driving an F1 car to the road.

(c) Octane Photographic

Racing cars were not designed for cruising down the highway or around the neighborhood. Those who drive a racing car have no desire to just cruise along either. Speed, acceleration and racing cars go hand in hand to create the thrill that goes along with driving at top speed. Getting behind the wheel on the road or on the race track is inherently dangerous to some extent. This post will offer three safety tips for driving on the race track or on the open road.

1. Applying the Brakes for a Corner

One of the most important techniques a fast car driver should master is how to go through the corners like a pro. Never go through a corner at full speed. Braking must be applied and the speed reduced as the driver approaches a corner. An F1 car can easily cruise through a corner at 120mph. Many of the corners that the speed car can navigate at that speed would be marked as a 35mph zone on the public thoroughfare.

Apply the brakes at full strength initially then ease off gradually. Decelerating and braking while negotiating a corner is an important technique to learn. If you go too fast you will go careening off the road, but if you go too slow you will lose grip because of downforce reduction. You need to execute a good balance of speed when going through a corner. On the straight you can go up to 200mph, but decelerate and apply the brakes when going around a corner. Never accelerate before entering a corner as the car will not turn.

2. Turning the Corner

At the point when the driver begins to turn the steering wheel the braking should almost be complete and the driver should be pulling his foot off the pedal as he turns. Turn the wheel and point towards the apex or narrowest part of the corner. Be alert as there is very little time between turning and hitting the tightest part of the curve. Do not accelerate or brake at this point, but rather allow the car to glide through the apex of the corner. As you come out of the corner you press the gas and straighten the car.

3. Always Wear Your Seat Belt

Going at top speed is dangerous and anything could happen, so it is best to be prepared. That is the reason formula 1 drivers always wear safety gears and strap themselves in to their seats properly. If a tire blows out the car can be hard to control. A car careening out of control at top speed can easily relieve itself of onboard passengers who are not properly strapped in. Imagine yourself flung from the vehicle and now airborne going at the speed that the car was traveling.

The techniques learned for formula 1 driving are very beneficial, and can be applied to your everyday use of the public roads as well. People who learn to drive as formula 1 drivers are better drivers as they learn to not only drive at high speed, but also how to expertly control the vehicle and get top performance going at that speed.

About the Author: Jamie McMackin is a driving enthusiast that makes the most of track day experiences. He enjoys sharing insights about his adventures on various driving blogs. Visit Wish.co.uk to find about more about supercar driving days.