That sounds more than a bit obvious of course. But this clip is a rare opportunity to give you some basis of comparison. Of course, we usually only see Formula 1 cars being driven around other Formula 1 cars. One is a few tenths faster than another, but what are these machines like when running next to something we know, like a typical econobox, or even a high performance road car? McLaren answers in this unusual scenario they hosted at Estoril in February of 1991.
Here’s the setup: Gareth Rees leaves the starting grid in a 1.6 liter Honda Concert. 20 seconds later, Alan McNish leaves the grid in a Porsche 911 Turbo. For the next 55 seconds, we watch McNish catch up to Rees. What seems like an eternity (1 minute 15 seconds) after the Honda started the 2 1/2 mile lap, Ayrton Senna departs in his McLaren. A minute later, and still on the first lap, Senna passes them both.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that he would, but watching that McLaren’s closing speed on the road cars really highlights how an F1 machine is just an entirely different animal from a road car.
Final Lap Times:
1) Ayrton Senna – McLaren – 1:14:00
2) Alan McNish – Porsche – 2:08:00
3) Gareth Rees – Honda – 2:28:00
via McLaren Soul
0 replies on “Formula 1 Cars are Fast”
Bradley Morgan liked this on Facebook.
Maurice Paisano liked this on Facebook.
Formula 1 Cars are Fast http://t.co/XjnE7d8d1h
OK, the MP4/5B is a 1990 car. The Honda is what was being sold in the US as the Civic at the time. The Porsche looks to be a 930 variant from anywhere in the 1975-1989 time frame (it sure ain’t a 964). The speed of the McLaren F1 car is obvious but, to me, the most important spec is how close the Civic was to the 911.
This is pretty cool… Just how fast is an F1 car compared to something that a mere mortal can relate to? http://t.co/ACRI88a3In
Here’s a few more interesting comparisons:
http://www.thatvideosite.com/v/9575/melbourne-f1-2013-speed-comparison-mercedes-amg-vs-v8-supercar-vs-f1-car-
http://youtu.be/_sFGXh-zthM
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh59e6_ford-cougar-vs-ford-focus-wrc-vs-formula-1_auto
http://youtu.be/K2cNqaPSHv0
For F1 AT THE TIME, it would have been interesting to compare same-vintage F1 against Stephan Bellof’s 956 assuming that Jacky Ickx didn’t assume that because he was Belgian he automatically got the right-of-way.
After all, a 6:11 in qualifying and a 6:26 in race trim at the Nordschleife means you’re damn fast. BTW, both still absolute Ring records.
Speaking my language here.
Those were the days.
Formula 1 Cars are Fast! Comparison between 2 road cars & a F1 car driven by Senna in 1991 http://t.co/R3z3FmtGZ8
Formula 1 cars are fast – http://t.co/o9MSojomYY
Formula 1 Cars are Fast http://t.co/Suf7KmmWJu
When I was a young lad, they did a similar showcase with Niki Lauda. If I remember correctly, it was a bit more dramatized back in the day. I think he was enjoying a cup of tea before donning his helmet, casually climbing in the McLaren, and finally embarking on the chase. Good times. Thanks for sharing this!
Formula 1 Cars are Fast http://t.co/1EMnunqW0W
This post offers clear idea for the new people of blogging, that in fact how to do blogging
and site-building.
Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my blog so i got here to return the favor?.I am attempting
to to find issues to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use a few
of your ideas!!