F1 Lap Times Over the Years

Formula One is the fastest motorsport category, and over the years it has been through multiple transformations in terms of technology, aerodynamics, and engineering.
These improvements have resulted in a decrease in lap times. But that hasn't always been the case. There were times when new rules and regulations made F1 lap times slower than in previous years. Besides, changes to make F1 cars safer have also, sometimes, increased lap times.

On this chart, you can see the evolution of F1 lap times over the years and the most significant changes that affected lap times.

Brief chronology of F1 changes that affected lap times.

- 1953: With the end of Formula Two regulations, lap times decreased significantly.

- Late 50s: Formula 1 cars shifted to a mid-engine layout, reducing lap times.

- 1961: Compressor ban and downsizing engines from 2.5L to 1.5L made lap times increase.

- 1967: F1 cars started using wings to generate downforce. This marked the start of aerodynamics in F1, and lap times dropped.

- Early 80s: F1 cars took full advantage of turbochargers to increase power. This improvement caused a significant drop in lap times.

- 1983: Ground effect was banned, making lap times increase.

- Early 90s: By taking full advantage of active suspension and advanced electronic driving aids, lap times decreased.

- 1994: Ayrton Senna's fatal crash led to improvements in safety. This caused lap times to get slower.

- 1995: The reduction of engine capacity from 3.5L to 3L made lap times increase.

- Late 90s: The next remarkable decrease in lap times came with the V10 engine.

- 2006: Lap times increased significantly because of the reduction in engine capacity. This era used the 2.4-liter V8 engines that produced a noticeable decrease in horsepower.

- 2014: Formula 1 cars underwent another shift in engines. With the introduction of the 1.6-liter V6 turbo-hybrid engines, lap times increased. However, lap times decreased significantly in the following years.