Formula 1: Which driver has the fastest reaction time?

We look at the reaction times of F1 drivers across eras to see who is quickest off the line.

In Formula 1 (F1), reaction time is a critical aspect of a driver's ability to get off the starting line quickly and gain an early advantage over their competitors. As such, measuring a driver's reaction time at the start of a race has become an important factor in determining their overall performance on the track.

So, when you hear, “Lights out and away we go!” always remember that the drivers have worked specifically hard to get good starts when the lights go out. So which driver has achieved the best reaction time? Is it Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen or Michael Schumacher or is it Ayrton Senna?

Why starts are crucial

Drivers work on their reflexes and reaction times by doing various exercises with their trainers before a race to help them get away quickly ahead of their rivals and gain an advantage in the race. Starts can make or break races of the drivers , if they get the start right, there are places to be gained and if the start goes wrong, multiple places can be lost in a heartbeat. According to McLaren F1 the average reaction time of an F1 driver ranges between 0.2 s to 0.3 s.

Lewis Hamilton, the seven times world champion and one of the best drivers in the whole F1 history and the wonder boy champion Max Verstappen are known for their quick reflexes and ability to get off the line quickly. Both their average reaction time at race starts is around 0.2 seconds. Schumacher, who won seven world championships during his career, had an average reaction time of 0.16 seconds at race starts.

Senna, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, had an average reaction time of 0.17 seconds at race starts. Mansell, who won the 1992 world championship, had an average reaction time of 0.18 seconds at race starts.

Bottas' lightning-quick start in 2019 Japanese Grand Prix

Well, it turns out that as per official timings of F1, the fastest driver to get off the mark is Valtteri Bottas. Bottas did indeed have an incredibly fast reaction time at the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, where he recorded a reaction time of just 0.04 seconds.

This was the fastest reaction time ever recorded by an F1 driver, and it helped Bottas secure the lead heading into the first turn of the race. Bottas' fast start at Suzuka was critical in helping him win the race, as he was able to hold off a strong challenge from Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari and maintain his lead throughout the race.

So much so that Sebastian Vettel accused him of jumping the race start. Bottas' performance at Suzuka showcased his exceptional reaction times and his ability to capitalize on a fast start to gain an early advantage over his competitors.

After the race ended, Bottas said, “The race start helped a lot, it was the key thing getting into the lead on that kind of track. My reaction time was rather quick, it was four-hundredths, so maybe my best so far.”

It's clear that having lightning fast reaction times at the start of the race are essential for success in the sport. All of the top drivers possess lightning-fast reflexes and are constantly working to maintain and improve their reaction skills not just for the race starts but for the whole race.