F1 Reaction Time Test

Paddock Hall of Fame

Driver Classification Data

Species Drag Race

Season 1 - World Records

Submission Rules (FIA Standards)

To have your time verified and listed as a World Record, you must submit video evidence.

1. Hand & Screen Cam: We need to see your finger hitting the mouse/screen AND the lights. No macros/cheats.
2. No Jump Starts: Guessing the timing = Disqualification.
3. Submission: Send your video link and specs to admin at arealme dot com.

Did You Know? F1 Facts

1. The "Jump Start" that wasn't

In the 2019 Japanese GP, Sebastian Vettel moved his car slightly before the lights went out. He stopped immediately, then launched again. Because his movement was within the sensors' tolerance, he wasn't penalized! In our app, however, if you click before the lights go out, it's an instant DNF!

2. The Myth of 200ms

For years, the FIA believed humans physically could not react faster than 200ms. They used to penalize any start faster than that as "anticipation." However, modern drivers proved they could consistently react in the 150ms-180ms range, forcing the FIA to scrap the rule. Are you faster than the old FIA limit?

3. Faster than a Blink

An average human blink takes 100ms to 400ms. F1 drivers reacting to lights out (approx 200ms) are launching their cars in roughly the time it takes you to blink once. At 200mph, a blink means driving 300 feet (90 meters) completely blind.

4. Bottas the Machine

At the 2017 Austrian GP, Valtteri Bottas had a reaction time of 201ms. It was so perfect that rivals accused him of jumping the start. Telemetry proved he moved exactly 0.201s after the lights went out—a perfect mix of anticipation and reflex.

5. The Batak Board

F1 Champion Jenson Button was legendary on the "Batak" machine (a board with lighting buttons to test peripheral vision and speed). He once scored 58 hits in 30 seconds. This test requires similar hand-eye coordination!