<P> Top speeds are in practice limited by the longest straight at the track and by the need to balance the car's aerodynamic configuration between high straight line speed (low aerodynamic drag) and high cornering speed (high downforce) to achieve the fastest lap time . During the 2006 season, the top speeds of Formula 1 cars were a little over 300 km / h (185 mph) at high - downforce tracks such as Albert Park, Australia and Sepang, Malaysia . These speeds were down by some 10 km / h (6 mph) from the 2005 speeds, and 15 km / h (9 mph) from the 2004 speeds, due to the recent performance restrictions (see below). On low - downforce circuits greater top speeds were registered: at Gilles - Villeneuve (Canada) 325 km / h (203 mph), at Indianapolis (USA) 335 km / h (210 mph), and at Monza (Italy) 360 km / h (225 mph). In testing one month prior to the 2005 Italian Grand Prix, Juan Pablo Montoya of the McLaren - Mercedes F1 team recorded a record top speed of 372.6 km / h (231.5 mph), which got officially recognised by the FIA as the fastest speed ever achieved by an F1 car, even though it was not set during an officially sanctioned session during a race weekend . In the 2005 Italian GP Kimi Räikkönen of Mclaren - Mercedes was recorded at 370.1 km / h (229.9 mph). This record was broken at the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix by Williams driver Valtteri Bottas, whose top speed in race conditions was 372.54 km / h (231.48 mph). However, even though this information was shown in FIA's official monitors, the FIA is yet to accept it as an official record . Bottas had previously set an even higher record top speed during qualifying for the 2016 European Grand Prix, recording a speed of 378.035 km / h (234.9 mph), albeit through the use of slipstream drafting . This top speed is yet to be confirmed by any official method as currently the only source of this information is the Williams team's Twitter post, while the FIA's official speed trap data measured Bottas' speed at 366.1 kmh in that instance . At the moment Montoya's speed of 372.6 kmh (231.5 mph) is still regarded as the official record, even though it was not set during a sanctioned session . </P> <P> Away from the track, the BAR Honda team used a modified BAR 007 car, which they claim complied with FIA Formula One regulations, to set an unofficial speed record of 413 km / h (257 mph) on a one way straight line run on 6 November 2005 during a shakedown ahead of their Bonneville 400 record attempt . The car was optimised for top speed with only enough downforce to prevent it from leaving the ground . The car, badged as a Honda following their takeover of BAR at the end of 2005, set an FIA ratified record of 400 km / h (249 mph) on a one way run on 21 July 2006 at Bonneville Speedway . On this occasion the car did not fully meet FIA Formula One regulations, as it used a moveable aerodynamic rudder for stability control, breaching article 3.15 of the 2006 Formula One technical regulations which states that any specific part of the car influencing its aerodynamic performance must be rigidly secured . </P> <Ul> <Li> Construction: Carbon - fibre and honeycomb composite structure </Li> <Li> Gearbox: 8 - speed seamless semi-automatic paddle shift sport gearbox, longitudinally mounted with hydraulic system for power shift and clutch operation </Li> <Li> Clutch: Multi-plate carbon clutch </Li> <Li> Clutch operation: Hand - paddle behind steering wheel below gear shift paddle </Li> <Li> Weight: 642 kg (1,415 lb) including driver </Li> <Li> Fuel capacity: Approx. 150 L (40 US gal; 33 imp gal) </Li> <Li> Length: Averaging 4,545--4,800 mm (179--189 in) </Li> <Li> Width: 1,800 mm (71 in) </Li> <Li> Height: 950 mm (37 in) </Li> <Li> Wheelbase: 2,995--3,100 mm (118--122 in) </Li> <Li> Steering: Power - assisted rack and pinion steering </Li> <Li> Brakes: 6 - piston (front and rear) carbon callipers, carbon discs and pads </Li> <Li> Brake disc size: 278 x 28 mm (front and rear) </Li> <Li> Dampers: Vendor chosen by each manufacturer . Four way bump and rebound adjustable </Li> <Li> Springs: Vendor chosen by each manufacturer </Li> <Li> Front and rear suspension: Aluminium alloy uprights, carbon - composite double wishbone with springs and anti-roll bar </Li> <Li> Wheel rims: Forged aluminium or magnesium wheels <Ul> <Li> Front wheel size: 12.7 x 13 in </Li> <Li> Rear wheel size: 13.4 x 13 in </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza 4 - line grooved slick dry and treaded intermediate - wet tyres </Li> <Li> Safety equipment: 6 - point seatbelt, HANS device </Li> <Li> Steering wheel dash: Various </Li> </Ul> <Li> Construction: Carbon - fibre and honeycomb composite structure </Li>

How much gas does a formula 1 car hold