G-Force

G-force is the measurement of acceleration felt by a driver's body during racing, expressed as a multiple of Earth's normal gravity, where forces from speed changes, cornering, and braking push or pull the driver with intensity measured in 'g' units.

To understand G-force, imagine standing normally on Earth—you're experiencing 1g, which is the planet's natural gravitational pull. In motorsport, when a car accelerates, brakes, or turns at high speed, the driver feels additional forces on their body. These forces are measured in g units to show how many times stronger than normal gravity they are. If a driver experiences 5g, they feel a force five times their normal body weight pressing against them.

During cornering, lateral G-forces push drivers sideways into their seat. Formula 1 cars can generate up to 6g in fast corners, meaning a driver weighing 70 kilograms would feel like they weigh 420 kilograms during that turn. This sideways pressure makes it extremely difficult to hold your head upright and maintain control of the steering wheel.

Braking creates some of the highest G-forces in racing. When an F1 driver slams on the brakes at the end of a straight, they can experience over 6g of deceleration. This throws the driver forward against their safety harness with tremendous force, requiring strong neck and core muscles to keep their head from snapping forward.

Acceleration G-forces push drivers back into their seats, though these are typically lower than braking or cornering forces. A Formula 1 car might produce around 2g during hard acceleration, which still means significant pressure pushing the driver backward.

The most extreme G-forces occur during crashes. In 2020, driver Romain Grosjean survived a crash that subjected him to 67g when his car hit a barrier. Even more severe was Jules Bianchi's tragic 2014 crash at 254g, the highest ever recorded in F1. These enormous forces explain why modern safety equipment like the HANS device (which supports the head and neck) is absolutely critical.

Race teams use sensors throughout their cars to measure G-forces during every session. This data helps engineers understand the stress on car components and optimize the vehicle's aerodynamics and suspension setup. If certain parts consistently experience extreme forces, engineers can reinforce them or adjust the car's setup.

Drivers prepare for these intense physical demands through specialized training. They perform neck-strengthening exercises using harnesses attached to weights, simulating the forces they'll experience on track. Core strengthening and cardiovascular fitness are equally important, as drivers must maintain concentration and physical control while enduring these forces for up to two hours during a race.

Understanding G-forces helps explain why motorsport drivers are elite athletes. The combination of extreme physical stress, the need for split-second decision-making, and the endurance required to maintain performance throughout a race makes managing G-forces one of the most challenging aspects of professional racing.