Formula One is one of the world’s most popular sports, both in terms of revenue and in the number of viewers it attracts. Formula One is watched by millions in almost every country around the world and yields the highest revenue of all sporting events. The average revenue for each of the 18 Grand Prix races stood at 217 million in 2007. This year’s Hungarian Grand Prix has already been held but there are still several racers to come in the 2008 calendar. Here we provide a short overview of the history, development and memorable events of Formula One.
Formula One races are broadcast (often in real time) in almost every country in the world and are watched by huge numbers. For instance the 2006 Brazil Grand Prix had 83 million viewers from beginning to end and an additional 71 million watched parts of it. It is no surprise that the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) seeks to continually update regulations to ensure that races are always exciting, while maintaining the highest level of safety and security.
The first permanent motor racing circuit was built in Brooklands, southwest of London, in 1907, but is by now out of use. The oldest circuit still in use is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which opened in the U.S. in 1909. The most famous race held in closed city streets is the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, run annually since 1955.
The race goes clockwise on most circuits (the majority of bends are to the right). Of the few circuits where the race goes counter-clockwise, Interlagos (Brazil) and Istanbul Park (Turkey) are the most famous. The largest number of Formula One races has been held in Italy and in Britain where Grand Prix races have been held each year. The Monaco, Belgian, French and German Grand Prix also have long traditions.
European Grand Prix Motor Racing is considered the precursor of Formula One racing. The first Grand Prix was held in France in 1894. It was won by a Hungarian, Ferenc Szisz, who drove a Renault. Formula One regulations were laid down in 1946 and Formula One world championships have been held since 1950. Since 1958, winners have been announced not only for drivers’ championships but also for a constructors’ championship. The latter is won by the team whose drivers acquire the highest points over the season.
The first seasons of Formula One racing were run using pre-war cars. These were equipped with narrow treaded tyres. During the 1950s, the Formula One schedule included a few European Grand Prix and the American 500-mile race. The Argentinean Juan Manuel Fangio won five driver’s championships in the first decade of Formula One racings and was long considered the most successful driver.
The first advertisements appeared in Formula One in the early 1960s. Aerofoil bodies in car design started appearing at this time. The power output of cars in this era was around 220 bhp.
During the 1970s, the FIA began to insist on modifications to long, historic circuits, such as Nürburgring (Nordschleife), or Spa-Franchochamps, which were later deemed unsafe. After Niki Lauda’s serious accident in 1977, the German Grand Prix was moved to Hockenheimring. Many technical innovations were introduced in Formula One in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Turbocharged engines appeared in 1977. After 1983, turbocharged engines became dominant and their output of around 1,000 bhp pushed boxer engines out. To reduce engine power output and thus speeds, FIA initially limited fuel tank capacity before banning turbocharged engines completely in 1989.
The development of electronic driver aids began in the 1990s, including Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), ABS and active suspension. However, many such aids were banned in 1994.
After two fatal accidents at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 (Roland Ratzenberger, Ayrton Senna), efforts were made to increase safety standards. The scoring system was amended in 2003 and several technical regulations were changed later. Since 2006, constructors have not been allowed to develop their engines.
Significant Future Developments Expected:
The first night-time race in the sport’s history will be held in Singapore in 2008.
The FIA plans to radically change regulations in the 2009 season. Aerodynamically generated downforce is planned to be reduced by 50 per cent and slick tyres will return to Formula One in the 2009 season in order to compensate for the loss of downforce.
FIA and manufacturers are discussing adding bio-fuel engines and regenerative braking for the 2011 season. (The system will be called KERS or Kinetic Energy Recycle System.)
It is possible to make many guesses about the direction of development in the world’s most technically safe sport but one thing is certain: millions of people will continue supporting their favourite drivers at the various Grand Prix.
Drivers and Records
The majority of Formula One drivers start their careers in Karting and then enter racing training or come up through traditional European single seater series. All Formula One teams have recognised by now the importance of training and many operate programmes to train new drivers. Currently most drivers finish their careers in their mid or late thirties although back in the 1950s, many drivers were in their 40s or even 50s. After Formula One, the most popular car racing championship is the German touring car championship. American championships, such as NASCAR or Indy Car also attract many former Formula One drivers.
The most successful driver in Formula One history has been the Michael Schumacher. Of the 250 Grand Prix the German driver competed in, he won 91 and he is the only seven-time world champion in the history of the sport. He holds the record in pole positions, points scored and most races won in a single season. The record speed by a Formula One car has been achieved by a Honda which, running with minimum downforce in the Mojave desert, achieved a top speed of 415 km/h (258 mph) in 2006.
