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Aerodynamics of Formula One Racing
Have you ever thought of cars having wings? As it turns out, this is possible. Airplanes are not the only one crafted by aerodynamic design to utilize wings but cars as well. More specifically, Formula One racecars.
For airplanes, wings have been designed to help lift them off the ground as they ascend. It is an aerodynamic design, which literally enables them to fly. By directing airflow around their wings, airplanes are lifted off the ground and gradually ascend them off the runway.
On the other hand, F1 race cars use wings for a different reason. Speed is the main point of F1 racing and this is derived from aerodynamic design on which millions of dollars have been spent on for research and newly updated discoveries and innovations. In F1 racing, aerodynamic design focuses on research that helps decrease drag while at the same time creates a down force that keeps the tires on track. This down force aerodynamics also has an effect upon a racecar’s cornering ability.
Using wings in F1 racing was first seen back in the late 1960’s. The early version of wings was moveable and had higher mountings than the recent ones. Although the wings proven themselves useful in increasing speed, they otherwise posed a threat during races as they became reasons for the occurrence of accidents. Because of this, the FIA established regulations to control the safety of these wings. In the mid-1970’s, engineers tried methods which utilized the low-pressure area beneath the race cars for creating “ground-effect” as down force. This in effect served as grounds for the FIA to change current rules and adapt them to limit the effects of the said down force. At present, the aerodynamic force, which recent F1 vehicles can create, is so great that it can theoretically drive cars turned upside-down.
Nowadays, wings are configured to suit each Grand Prix location. For a racecourse like that of Monaco, a race team uses an aggressive design and wings are placed to create maximum down force. A Monaco-type of road would require much down force to keep the vehicle on-track especially when turning around corners. On a high-speed circuit such as this, it is important to decrease drag when on the long straights so nearly the entire wing is removed from the racecar for this particular race.
Wining an F1 race is just as important as determining its aerodynamic wing design. Wind tunnels are used to determine and study the amount of drag that each racecar can produce. In this way, new designs may be created and even decrease air turbulence, which causes slowing down for racecars.
Helmets also rely on aerodynamics prior to their production. Since the driver’s helmet is exposed throughout the race, the helmet itself may cause turbulence, which in effect add to possible causes of decreasing speed while racing. Through the use of aerodynamics, problems like such can be given a better alternative.
Lastly, engineers are also concerned about making the racecars not too aerodynamic. Since F1 racing engines run at very high temperatures, airflow must be structured to dissipate heat from the engine and decrease the possibilities of overheating.
In all of these, the FIA still monitors and continues to regulate the use of aerodynamics and wing features in Formula One racing. As this science progresses, F1 enthusiasts should also expect continuous changes in regulatory measures to be conducted by the FIA in ensuring that safety would never be taken for granted.
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Safety Measures for Formula One Drivers
What generally makes Formula One racing a dangerous sport is the high-speed driving needed in different challenging courses. Though winning the race is probably the main concern, the driver’s safety is also as important. New innovations and racecar constructors are always on the lookout for new and feasible safety mechanisms.
Formula One racecars must be designed in such a way that the driver can get out of them as quickly as possible. In exiting the car, only a maximum of five seconds is allowed and only the steering wheel removed during the process. In addition, the steering wheel should be re-installable within five seconds so that the racecar can be removed out of the track if it poses a threat for other drivers during an ongoing race.
The cockpit of the racecar is considered as the driver’s survival cell. In F1 racing, this is constructed with a rollover protective roof together with front and rear crash protection features. Its sidewalls have also been recently constructed as taller and stronger for added protection from flying debris, which may possibly occur during a race. Prior to being used, these racecars also needed to undergo a crash test to determine how much they can actually protect the driver.
Apart from the racecar itself, drivers also receive additional safety protection by the detailed development of their race clothes.
The overalls worn by F1 racecar drivers have large safety handles built on both sides of its shoulders. FIA requires that drivers should be removed from the cars quickly in dangerous conditions though still strapped on their seats. Because of this, race car seats are held in place by only a couple of standardized bolts, which can be easily removed by a rescue team. The long short straps enable rescue teams to remove the driver from the car even while the latter is still fastened from his seat. The safety handles serve its purpose as a means of pulling up the driver from the car’s cockpit.
Though fires only occur on a few occasions during Formula One racing, certain strict and safety measures are still enforced to control fire-related accidents. Race drivers wear a fireproof clothing gear, which can also ensure them safe from burns if ever they caught fire until such time that the fire gets fully extinguished. Even if safety is a primary concern, the comfort of the driver is not compromised. Race drivers needed to endure high temperatures during a race so their race clothing gears have been engineered to allow their body proper ventilation through enabling the release of sweat thus minimizing the possibilities of overheating.
In racing events, usual causes of fatalities and injuries are neck and skull fractures brought about by high-speed deceleration. This is also known as whiplash. To minimize these whiplash effects, the HANS (Head and Neck Support System) was established. In this system, a collar is attached to the safety belt strapped on the helmet. This helps keep the helmet in place especially during accidents and collisions. The use of HANS became mandatory in Formula One racing ever since 2003.
Helmets are considerably important in F1 racing since it protects the most important part of a driver’s body–the head. Ironically, this is the only fully exposed part of a racecar driver during a competition. Helmets needed to be lightweight to minimize the severity of a whiplash during a collision or an accident. Recently produced F1 helmets weigh below three pounds. The helmet is made from carbon fiber–a material also used for making bulletproof vests. Aside from this, the helmet is also made from a softer plastic and a fireproof covering. The helmet’s visor is made from polycarbonate.
Overall, Formula One racing can be considered as highly unpredictable and accidents are then inevitable. It is for this reason that top-notch medical assistance is required for every Grand Prix event. Aside from highly trained medical assistance teams and professionals, each race circuit also comes equipped with its own medical centers and local hospitals are also on standby, fairly within reach in cases of emergency.
Tags: Car Safety, Formula 1
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The International World of Formula One Racing
The list of racetracks Formula One racing currently has ultimately makes it an international sport.
Since 1991, the Circuit De Catalunya from Spain has been a part of Formula One. Its length underwent changes through the years. In Melbourne Australia, the Alberta Park Grand Prix Circuit was built and has been established as an F1 racetrack since 1998. In here, Michael Schumacher held the titles for the fastest Pole Position and the fastest lap time, which were both set in 2004. Meanwhile, Malaysia currently houses the Sepang International circuit, which has been an F1 circuit in 2001. Michael Schumacher again held the fastest Pole Position while Juan Pablo Montoya grabbed the title for the fastest lap. The newest addition to the growing list of F1 race circuits is the Bahrain International Circuit. It hosted its first race in 2006 wherein Michael Schumacher again bagged the fastest Pole Position while Nico Rosberg got the fastest lap.
The most dangerous and famous race circuit, the Circuit de Monaco, have been a part of Formula One racing for 51 years. The most recent race it housed was last 2006. In Montreal Canada, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been a part of F1 racing since 1978. In 2004, Ralf Schumacher held the fastest Pole Position title while Rubens Barrichello held the title for fastest lap time. From 2000-2007, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been a part of F1 racing circuits where Rubens Barrichello held the title for fastest lap again alongside the fastest Pole Position. France has also been part of F1 racing by hosting the said event in Circuit de Nevers - Magny-Cours since 1991. In here, Fernando Alonso gained the title for the fastest Pole Position while Michael Schumacher again made a name for himself by getting the title for fastest lap time.
In Great Britain, the Silverstone Circuit hosted F1 racing since 1950. In a race held here in 2004, Kimi Raikkonen held the title for fastest Pole Position while Michael Schumacher went for the fastest lap. In the same year, Schumacher bagged the titles fro-fastest lap and fastest Pole Position in the F1 racing held at Nurburgring found in Germany. This has been a Formula One race circuit since 1951. In Hungary, F1 racing started in 1986 and was held in Hungaroring where Michael Schumacher held both titles for fastest Pole Position and lap time. Meanwhile, only one F1 race has been held in Otodrom Istanbul Park in Turkey and in the said event, Felipe Massa was named as the race champion while Michael Schumacher once again recorded the fastest lap time. In contrast, Italy has been a part of F1 racing since 1950 and held races at the Autodromo Nazionale Di Monza.
For 22 years, Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in Belgium has been part of F1 racing from 1983 up to 2005. In here, Kimi Raikkonen held the fastest lap time in 2004 while Michael Schumacher bagged the fastest Pole Position in 2002. In China, the Shanghai International Circuit housed the F1 race event from 2004 to 2006. Meanwhile, seven F1 races were held in Brazil most specifically in Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace where Rubens Barrichello again dominated by getting the fastest Pole Position in 2004 while Juan Pablo Montoya got the fastest lap time title also on the same year.
Tags: Car Racing, Formula 1
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F1 Racing Through The Years
Formula One is considered to be the premier motor sport from over the past century until recent times. It has fans in 200 countries all over the world, in different race circuits. It dates back from its roots–the European Grand Prix racing.
Although auto racing dates far back before the war period, the first ever Formula One World championship was not held until 1950. This is because racing has been suspended during the onset of World War II. During the first F1 championship, Giuseppe Farina won the first ever F1 Championship title at Silverstone, England. In its early years, the Formula One championship title was only given to racecar drivers. It was not until 1958 that an additional championship title for constructors has also been given and since then, separate awards are being given to the driver and the constructor.
A point system is used to determine who gets the World Champion title for F1 racing. The top eight drivers along with their respective teams in every Grand Prix receive corresponding points determined by their positions as they finished the race. The leading driver and team each receive 10 points while the following drivers and winners get 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 point. Since 2 cars are allowed to be entered in an F1 race, a team may receive two sets of different points if both of their cars make it to the top eight to finish. The driver and the team with the highest points are announced as the World Champions. In case there’s a tie in points, the winner is determined by having the most number of wins gained by the driver or the team during the season.
At present, Formula One racing and World Championship racing are considered as interchangeable terms. World Championship racing have always abided by the rules similar to that of Formula One racing. But prior to 1984, there were a few races in F1 racing which were not recognized in the World Championship racing. But the need to increase in expense eventually rose from participating in F1 racing and this in turn resulted in a difficulty to compete in non-world championship events. As recorded, the last non-championship event happened in 1983.
Technological innovations have consequently increased Formula One racing expenses. In addition, major players in auto manufacturing have also started to sponsor F1 World Championships since 1984. As expenses increased, independent F1 teams struggled to keep up with the technological advancements without the help of sponsors. Unfortunately, financial stress eventually leads to the loss of twenty-eight F1 teams. Formula One is indeed an expensive and exclusive sport, which also presently serves as a venue for big marketing competitions. Auto manufacturers also began to enter the competition by creating their own teams, which in turn replaced the loss of the independent ones.
Today, the Federation of International Automobile (FIA) regulates and supervises F1 racing. Formula One racing’s season spans from early spring until fall. Races are held from Europe up to China, Australia, and Brazil. The 2007 F1 racing even listed 17 races around the world for its season. The future of Formula One racing proves to be as solid as promising as it used to be years back when it first started. It continues to grow and reach out to different places and audiences from all over the world.
Tags: Car Racing, Formula 1
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The F1 Engine - Heart of Formula One Racing
Historically, engines built for Formula One racing were not designed to withstand more than a single race. But today, the Federation of International Automobiles also know as the FIA required that race car engines be uniquely designed to endure numerous races while still being able to produce maximum performance during competitions. Though modern technology can already provide means of attaining these requirements, engine failure still remains as a top reason why engines needed to be continuously replaced.
Engine specifications for Formula One racing have always been in a state of change since its early beginnings. For more than fifty years ago, a hundred BHP per liter was the expected result from an F1 engine. Ever since then, many changes have occurred. At present, the expected output is more or less 300 BHP per liter through the use of a 2.4 liter V8 engine. In addition, engines nowadays can utilize 650 liters of air per second. During a race, recent engines are expected to use up approximately 75 liters per 100 kilometers.
Formula One engines are built much smaller than a regular car engine. The usual car engines used by the average type of car consumers cannot display the same speed as F1 engines can. Drag reduction is an important aspect of Formula One that’s why in size, the latter’s engine is constructed smaller to also consequently allow it to take up minimal space.
Moreover, gearboxes are also an added feature found in F1 engines. The gears are placed behind the steering wheel so as not to distract the driver during a race. Nowadays, there are seven speed gearboxes commonly being used. Electronic controls are being used to activate transmissions on F1 engines.
When it comes to the type of energy, fuel is not much of a fuss for F1 engines. Normal gasoline, which is typically obtained from local gas stations, is actually used to refuel racecars on track. It is only during diagnostics when fuel becomes important and vital for an F1 engine. During diagnostics, mechanics check what kind of metals appear from leftover oil and fuel to determine the worn-out rate of the engine.
To be able to stop the illegal rigging done to F1 engines, the FIA placed penalties for creating expensive wear and tear engines in 2005. A penalty of ten places in a race is given if a team’s engine cannot be used after two Grands Prix.
Composed of almost 5,000 parts, a Formula One engine can truly be considered as one of the most expensive yet amazing machines. Its ability to make 20,000 revolutions a minute is the key to racecars extraordinary ability for speed and power. As these engines continuously evolve and change, they in themselves will serve as catalysts for a whole Formula One racetrack evolution.
Tags: Car Parts, Ferrari, Formula 1
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