Formula 1 single-seaters often reach incredible speeds. Overview of records in history.
413.205 km/h on an airport runway
The absolute top speed record was reached on November 4, 2005 at the wheel of a BAR Honda. With 413.205 km/h, South African driver Alan van der Merwe became the fastest F1 driver in history that day. Except that this time achieved on a runway at Mojave airport in California (United States) was not official.
It was indeed a preparation for the world record planned a few months later (July 21, 2006) by the same van der Merwe. And this time, on the Bonneville Salt Flats, driving a Honda F1, it was recorded at 397.481 km/h. Official record.
372.6 km/h in private tests
As for a circuit speed record, Juan Pablo Montoya is in the history books. During private tests, the Colombian had reached 372.6 km/h with his McLaren-Mercedes on August 25, 2005 in Monza (Italy).
370.1 km/h in Grand Prix
As for the race record, it is held by Kimi Raïkkönen. During the 2005 Italian Grand Prix, the Finnish driver, then driving a McLaren, reached 370.1 km/h.
378 km/h in qualifying
In 2016, during qualifying for the European Grand Prix, it was another Finn, Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), who reached 378 km/h.