A Data Driven Visualization of F1 Car Changes over 2000-2020
Our project explores Formula1 car improvements from 2000-2020. We specifically look at the improvement
of cars over the years through the following metrics: power, weight and lap time.
Power and Weight (Mechanical Changes)
Being that they're race cars, metrics like power and weight are incredibly important and are an easy way to
gauge how fast an F1 car can go. Power and weight (and power-to-weight) can be used to see technological
advances; constructors generally strive for the maximum power at the minimum weight.
The order of selection is top left (Average power-to-Weight), then picking a point on the scatterplot
(Power-to-Weight of All F1 Cars), and finally checking out/hovering over points on the bottom left charts.
Lap Time Progression (LT0 / LT1)
Lap times are a key metric in determining improvement; they are the result of power, aerodynamics,
tuning, and driver ability. We have calculated and charted the average improvement of cars per season and we
found that the cars get faster as engine development matures.
Below, you will see a disaggregated view of lap times, split into their respective tracks, over 2000-2020.
Lap Time Visual Comparison Tool (LT2)
Raw numbers are good, line charts are better, but even then, a second difference can be hard
to gauge. LT2's "animated view" attempts to demonstrate the immense difference in gap a
single second can make.
We demonstrate the difference between the beginning of the V6 turbo era
(2014) and the 2020 cars over 3 selectable tracks.