New Page 1

FORMULA ONE

It is widely regarded as the fastest motorsport in the world. Formula one has been here since the 1950's and has produced so many great names in the realm of motorsport. It continues to attract new hopefuls and the technologies just keep on getting better. Let us take brief look at Formula 1!

MY STORY:

Aside from music, I am also interested in motorsports. My interest in Formula 1 started back when I was in grade 4, but it wasn't that much yet. I remember arguing with my classmate whether who was going to win: Schumacher or Hakkinen (I sided with Schumi). My interest sprang out again when I watched the F1 race in Malaysia two summers ago. Though I never got to watch it live that time, (even if Sepang was just 30 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur) I enjoyed watching the race and the podium ceremonies. Since I came home from Malaysia, I have become an F1 fan.

CHAMPIONS OLD AND NEW:

Name: Michael Schumacher

Nationality: German

Age: 37

Team: Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari

World Championships: 7

Perhaps the first name that pops out of your head whenever you mention Formula 1 is this man's name. Michael Schumacher holds 7 world titles after more than a decade and a half in this motorsport. Michael has amazed crowds with his exceptional skill and talent in handling the Formula 1 car. He announced his retirement towards the end of the 2006 season, after a win in Monza, Italy, Ferrari's home track. His name will not be forgotten in the realm of motorsport.

Name: Fernando Alonso

Nationality: Spanish

Age: 25

Team: Minardi, Renault, McLaren Mercedes

World Championships: 2

He is widely regarded as the heir to Schumacher. Fernando Alonso is the current world champion in Formula 1. He also holds the title of youngest back-to-back champion. He has great talent and maturity for his age. Though many criticize and underestimate him, he never fails to impress people with skill. 2006 marks his last season with the Renault team, in which he became champion. He will be driving for Mclaren Mercedes starting 2007 for his title defense. Will he do it?

FORMULA ONE CAR: AN ADVANCED PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY

Shown in picture: Mclaren Mercedes MP4-20

The Formula 1 car is truly a marvel of technology. It has gone though many changes since the motorsport began back in the 1950's. Today's technological advancements made the car safer, more reliable and easier to handle despite traveling at great speeds. It costs millions of dollars to produce and actually maintain one car. That's why only a few teams can afford to join the event. They need a very large budget of millions in order to make their team (and cars) run properly.

Formula 1 cars are made primarily of Carbon Fiber, which is very tough and has a higher melting point and weighs less compared to steel. These machines travel at over 320 kph with revs of over 20,000 rpm. This is truly an example of pushing technology to its limits.

F1 RACE: A BATTLE OF SPEED AND BRAINS

A Formula 1 season has over 17-19 races for over 8 months. The F1 race is a battle of guts, wits and speed as 22 drivers on the track battle it out with each other for the top spot. This is where the drivers, teams and the cars are pushed to their limits. A race begins when the 5 lights illuminate. The battle for the first corner is intense, this is when crashes usually happen. Will you go for the corner or back out? There are usually 50-75 laps in a race, depending on the length of the track. Battles for places occur everywhere on the track; starting with the leaders, the middle runners and the back markers. There is also pit strategy that makes the race an interesting and exciting one since strategically timed pit stops can sometimes win the driver a race. This is not just an individual effort but is also a team effort to win the race.

The rewarding feeling comes to a driver when the chequered flag is waved for him, the race winner. The podium ceremonies come after, with the trophy presentation and the champagne spraying. It is an honor for a driver and his team to win the race and represent his and his team's respective country. This is motorsport, this is Formula 1 racing!

Shown in picture: The drivers battle it out for championship points, and possibly, the win.

SOME F1 TRIVIA:

An F1 car weighs only around 550 kg
Drivers have to go through a lot of conditioning in order to be competitively fit. Their exposure to G forces and high temperatures for over an hour demands a lot of endurance and stamina. The car is also hard to handle at over 300 kph, so upper body and neck strength are important.
An F1 driver loses weight after every race, this is due to exposure to the high temperatures in the cockpit and G-Forces during the race.
An F1 driver's racing outfit is fireproof.
An F1 car's braking causes the brakes to heat up to over 1000++ degrees Celsius. This is why its components are primarily made of Carbon Fiber, which has a higher heat resistance than steel.
An F1 car's shifters are located behind the steering wheel in the form of paddle shifters. Some other buttons and dials which control the car's performance (or to let the driver talk to the team via radio or drink water) are present.
Each F1 steering wheel is configured accordingly to the individual driver's likings or design, so no two steering wheels are alike.
The car's system is mostly electronic. An internal computer monitors and controls the car's activities such as shifting, traction control, power boost, etc.
The fit in the cockpit is so tight that the steering wheel should be removed in order for the driver to get on and off the car.
F1 pit crews can refuel and change tires in 10 seconds or less.
Downforce is important if F1. Without proper aerodynamic configuration, a car can lose control (or even fly off track) when traveling at over 300 kph.
At high speeds, an F1 car can generate so much downforce that theoretically, it can drive through a tunnel UPSIDE DOWN
F1 fueling rigs pump in more fuel faster as compared to your ordinary gas station pumps
F1 tires are filled with Nitrogen gas, they are not filled with ordinary air, because there is a varying amount of moisture in it which can affect the tires' expansion during high temperatures

For more information and updates about this motorsport, don't hesitate to visit the F1 official site.

Back to main