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Archive for the ‘Formula One’ Category

The changes and history of Formula One racing are apparent when you look at the records that have been recorded since the sport’s inception.

For example, Mike Thackwell, 19, holds the record as the youngest Formula One racing driver. The 1980 Dutch Grand Prix was his first Formula One race. At the other end of the age record spectrum is Louis Chiron who entered the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix at 58 years old. A study of the oldest and youngest Formula One racing competitors shows that all of the oldest record holders entered races during the 1950s. Today the sport is so physically challenging that drivers begin Formula One racing at a younger age and retire by their mid-30s.

Another change in Formula One racing is apparent in the statistics surrounding the most wins in a season. The record holder for the most wins in a Formula One racing season is Michael Schumacher with 13 wins in the 2004 season. Schumacher also holds the most wins record for 2002, 2001, 2000, 1995 and 1994. His 1994 record was for winning eight of the 16 races he entered which gives him a winning percentage of 50%

In contrast, Alberto Ascari holds the Formula One racing record for the highest percentage of wins in a season. In the 1952 season Ascari won only six races. Those six wins, however, earn him a winning percentage of 75% for the Formula One racing events that he entered. Of the top ten record holders for highest percentage of wins in a Formula One racing season, seven of those drivers won six or less races in a season. All seven of those are for pre-1970 Formula One racing seasons.

The comparison of these statistics indicates a change in Formula One racing seasons. Early Formula One racing drivers entered fewer races than drivers today because fewer Grand Prix were part of the racing season.

Formula One racing has always relied on a point system for determining the title of World Champion at the end of a season. The point system has gone through changes over the years and that becomes most apparent in the statistics for the most championship points earned during a season. In the early years of Formula One racing points were awarded only to the top five finishers and the maximum point value was eight (with one bonus point awards for the fastest lap). By contrast, today’s point system allows for a maximum of ten points and points are awarded to the top eight teams.

The changes to the point systems, especially when combined with the increased number of Grand Prix per season are reflected in the statistics for the drivers with the most points accumulated during a season. In tenth place for this record is Nigel Mansell with 108 points earned during the 1992 season. The remaining top ten record holders have all been from Formula One racing seasons since 2000. Michael Schumacher currently holds first place in this category with 148 points earned during the 2004 season. The current point systems makes it impossible for early Formula One racing drivers to win a top spot in this category.

Changes are necessary in most sports as they evolve but Formula One racing has had many changes through the years. These changes are necessary to keep the sport competitive and the impact of the changes are shown in the records of Formula One racing.

Formula One racing is a sport defined by rules and regulations.  It is also a sport with a long history.  Like any sport with this background, Formula One racing has developed terms that are confusing or not understood by new fans.  The information below highlights some of the more misunderstood terms used in Formula One racings.

In Formula One racing “clean air” does not refer to fresh or filtered air.  Clean air is the term used to refer to the air encountered by the head car in a race.  The turbulence caused by the cars has not yet touched this air.  It offers the best aerodynamic conditions for the drivers.  Clean air is a benefit of leading the race.

Near the end of a race a driver may realize he does not have enough fuel to complete the race.  The driver will then “splash and dash”.  A splash and dash simply means that the driver enters the pits and the pit crew put only the small amount of gasoline needed to finish the race in his tank rather than to fill the tank.  The driver gets a splash of gas and then dashes off for the finish.

In Formula One racing a driver may be given a “stop-go penalty”.  This penalty requires the driver to stop at his pit area for ten seconds and then return to the race.  The vehicle may not receive fuel or tires during this stop.  It is a time-out penalty with the time spent in the pit.  An alternative to the stop-go is the “drive-through penalty”.  The drive-through penalty differs from the stop-go in that the driver need not stop in the pit area but simply drive through the pits at the appropriate speed.

“Stewards” are the three highest-ranking officials at a Formula One racing Grand Prix.  They are responsible for making decisions about the race and the drivers.  The “marshals” are the officials in charge of making certain the race is run safely.  They are responsible for spectator safety, helping with disabled cars, dealing with fires.  Formula One racing marshals are most often visible waving signal flags at the drivers.

During a Formula One racing weekend teams keep their motor homes and transporters in an area referred to as the “paddock”.  This area is off limits to the public.  Another restricted area is the “parc ferme”.  Parc Ferme refers to a special fenced-off area where cars are required to be once they complete qualifying and the race.  Team members are not allowed to touch the cars to prevent any changes.  During a race the Formula One racing team and their equipment are located in the “pits”.  Drivers pull their cars into their team’s area of the pit for refueling, tire changes or any other type of repair that needs to be done to the vehicle.

The “pit wall” area of the Formula One racing track provides a place for team managers, owners and engineers to monitor the race. The “chicane” may be unfamiliar to new Formula One racing fans.  Chicane refers to a section of track that is designed to slow cars down using a series of corners that alternate directions.  The chicane is an import safety design feature of Formula One racing tracks.

Terms used in Formula One racing are not commonly understood.  An introduction to the terms and their meaning will help you understand the sport of Formula One racing.

Aerodynamic design is as important to Formula One racing vehicles as it is to airplanes. You might not expect a racecar to have wings but Formula One racing cars do.

An airplane is designed with wings to help it lift off the ground. The wings of an airplane are an important part of the aerodynamic design that helps it to fly. Airplane wings direct airflow around the wings and give the airplane the lift it needs to leave the ground.

Formula One racing vehicles rely on aerodynamic design to increase speeds. Millions of dollars are spent on the research and development of better aerodynamic features for the racecars. Aerodynamic design in Formula One racing focuses on developing a design that will decrease the amount of drag the car creates and while creating a downforce that keeps the car’s tires on the track. Downforce aerodynamics also influence cornering ability on the track.
The first wings showed up in Formula One racing near the end of the 1960s. Early wings used in Formula One racing were movable and had high mountings. Although these wings did improve the aerodynamics of the racecar, they also contributed to major accidents. By the 1970 Formula One racing season FIA instituted regulations regarding wings for safety purposes.

During the mid-1970s engineers experimented with methods to use the low-pressure area under the car as a “ground effect” downforce. FIA rules were changed and adapted to limit the benefits of this downforce.

The aerodynamic force created by today’s Formula One racing vehicles can be as great as three and one half times it’s own weight. Theoretically, Formula One racing cars could drive upside down thanks to the downforce they create.

Formula One racing engineers continue to explore opportunities to create greater downforce without increasing drag. Today wings configuration is customized for each specific Grand Prix location. On a street race course like Monaco the team uses aggressive design and placing of wings to create maximum downforce. Success on this type of course depends on a downforce to increase the vehicle’s ability to stick to the road, especially while cornering. On high-speed Formula One racing circuits the aerodynamic need is to reduce drag on the long straights. As a result nearly the entire wing is stripped from the racecar for these races.

The overall aerodynamics of a Formula One racing car are as important to winning as the wing design. Every feature of the racecar is tested in wind tunnels to determine the amount of drag and then analyzed. This allows for new designs that reduce air turbulence that slows the car. Even helmet design is based on aerodynamics. Because Formula One racing vehicles feature an open cockpit the driver’s helmet creates air turbulence that slows the car. Today’s helmet designers focus as much on aerodynamics as they do on safety.

The final factor in the Formula One racing aerodynamic puzzle is that engineers must make certain that the cars are not too aerodynamic. A Formula One racing engine runs at very hot temperatures. Airflow must be designed to remove the heat from around the engine and reduce heat build-up.

FIA continues to monitor the use of aerodynamic design features and wings by Formula One racing teams. Followers of Formula One racing can expect FIA to continue to make changes and additions to the regulars regarding these features as scientific advancements occur to ensure the safety of Formula One racing drivers.