This article is from the Formula One Motor Racing FAQ, by mitchmcc@ultranet.com (Mitchell McCann) with numerous contributions by others.
*In an F1 engine revving at 14,500 rpm, one revolution
takes 4 thousandths of a second.
*Maximum piston acceleration is approximately 8,000g which
puts a load of over 3 tons on each connecting rod.
*Maximum piston speed is 47.2 meters per second - the
piston in a Ford Zetec-R accelerates from rest to that
speed in 1 thousandth of a second.
*If a connecting rod let go of its piston at maximum engine
speed, the released piston would have enough energy to
travel vertically over 100 meters.
*If a water hose were to blow off, the complete cooling
system would empty in just over a second.
 
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