2019 pre season launches, testing, dates, discussion, banter.

[marmer]

It seems the FIA didnt specify an exact position nor mandate a minimum height for the driver ballast, so the short drivers will still get an advantage if the ballast is placed very low in the car

4.4 Ballast:
Ballast can be used provided it is secured in such a way that tools are required for its removal.

It must be possible to fix seals if deemed necessary by the FIA technical delegate.

Ballast designated for the sole purpose of achieving the driver weight specified in Article 4.6.2 must:

a) Be entirely located to the car between the front and rear extent of the cockpit entry template.
b) Be attached securely to the survival cell and sealed by the FIA.
c) Be clearly identified.

A nominal such weight of 10kg should be present for the impact test described in Article 16.3.

Unless point C is there to prevent the teams to put it "hidden" beneath the driver seat
Edit: that doesn't add upp: in that case they cant put it behind the seat... and it says "clearly identified" not "clearly visible"

Most of additional weight of a Human especially those in F1 having generally slimmed down body shapes means the weight is low down in the cockpit with only marginally more weight higher up.
Heads tend to weight similar amounts.

The way they gained performance before was that the ballast could be put exactly where the engineer's wanted it. Having it inside the cockpit really limits any potential gains.

Interesting thought does a slightly higher head position offer a driver better visibility that could be worth lap time or advantage in close proximity racing

[LM10]

Just out of curiosity, has there ever been a leaked picture of a car before official launch in F1 history?

McLaren MP4-31 got leaked the night before launch day.
Also, the MCL33 had its cover partially blown off by a gust of wind before launch day

Let's see what happens this time then. McLaren seems to really like posting teasers.

[Just_a_fan]

The way they gained performance before was that the ballast could be put exactly where the engineer's wanted it. Having it inside the cockpit really limits any potential gains.

Which is, of course, the whole aim of the requirement. By requiring the weight in the cockpit, the lighter driver gains less, if anything. This means the drivers won't be pressured to lose weight that most can't afford to lose.

[Blackout]

I'm talking about height.
So according to marmer, there is not a big difference between the CoG of the tallest driver and the shortest one.

[marmer]

I'm talking about height.
So according to marmer, there is not a big difference between the CoG of the tallest driver and the shortest one.

Stood up there would be. In an F1 car they are laid back. This lessons the cog effect. The issue was more the weight