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Do F1 Cars Use Gold?

Somin Bhattacharjee
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F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands Lando Norris of Great Britain drives the (4) McLaren MCL60 Mercedes on track during the race round 15, F1 Grand Prix of the Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort, in Zandvoort, Netherlands, on August 25, 2024

The engineering behind an F1 car is incredibly complex, making it one of the most advanced sports. However, using gold in its construction is something most fans would never guess as one of the components involved. As such, when McLaren’s Oscar Piastri admitted to the same, it raised several eyebrows.

In a McLaren social media segment, Piastri participated in ‘Two Truths and One Lie.’ The Melbourne-born driver read aloud from a piece of paper: there is 22-karat gold on McLaren’s F1 car, an F1 car could theoretically drive upside down, and drivers experience only 1G force during races.

Piastri revealed that drivers actually experience forces of up to 5 or 6G, making the ‘golden revelation’ true. There was in fact 22 karat gold used in the making of the MCL60, something McLaren spoke about in a 2023 video posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Gold, an excellent heat reflector, was used to optimize the car’s performance by regulating temperatures. F1 car engines generate significant heat, and McLaren put gold in its power unit to reflect the heat away from the fuel tank of the car.

“It also keeps the driver cockpit in front of the car cool,” the narrator of the video stated. Objects like copper, nickel, and even silver would do the job in this case, but gold remains the best choice.

It’s not used as commonly simply because of the fact that it is very expensive. But taking a look at everyday objects around us more quickly will help us realize that gold is used in very small amounts in several appliances such as computers, and mobile phones.

Post Edited By:Vidit Dhawan

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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