Formula One racing is indeed a very costly sport that’s why corporate sponsorship has always been important in keeping a top-notch team. F1 racing budgets have been reported to range approximately from 66 million dollars up to 400 million dollars. These amounts seem to be quite right when considering the expenses necessary for design and for supporting a champion team.

Specially designed vehicles are F1 champions’ keys to success. A team needs innovative and ingenuous engineers and designers who can produce ways of improving racecar designs, speed, as well as driver safety. Inevitably, these people would require high-end computers and testing equipment to support their studies. Also, new ideas must be custom defined before it undergoes vehicle testing. After that, the vehicles needed to be track-tested to determine if a new feature would work to the team’s advantage. An example of this would be the wind tunnel testing done for aerodynamic purposes.

Aside from these costs, safety concerns must also be met according to FIA regulations. The latter requires specialized fabrics in making F1 overalls for race drivers, helmets, and even parts of the racecar itself.

The repair and maintenance of used F1 race vehicles also require very expensive costs. Although required to last an entire race weekend, race engines are replaced with a new one before each weekend. This will eventually require multiple tire changes while on a race and a specially formulated fuel would be needed to run the racecars. Numerous replacement parts must also be within reach in pits during an ongoing race to upgrade and make necessary changes for the cars during pit stops.

Since F1 racing is held all over the world, transportation budgets are also to be considered. European races permit teams to move their cars, equipment, motor homes, and even their kitchen equipments through the use of a truck convoy. Outside Europe, jumbo jets are usually the required means of transportation for the said necessities and of course, fees are charged for excess weight. During the race season, F1 teams must also allot a budget for food and lodging to cover each team member who will participate throughout the race. Aside from team members, there are also people behind-the-scenes who perform vital roles such as coordinating travel details and advertisement and publicity campaigns.

If a new team would like to join the world of F1 racing, there is but another important factor to consider. The FIA requires an up-front payment amounting to 47 million dollars. This will eventually be repaid to the team throughout the season.

The 1990′s caused a high increase in expenses for F1 racing due to new technological innovations. Team who has been receiving support from large auto manufacturers as well as other corporate companies had the advantage. In contrast, independent teams were unable to keep up with the new financial demands. As a result, twenty-eight teams have left Formula One racing.

The sport’s popularity attracts many corporate sponsors due to its merchandising opportunities. Sponsorships are used to offset a team’s increasing expenses. So as the sport receives higher financial demands from newly created technological advancements, sponsorships would continually be welcomed and would proliferate as the sport likewise continuously develops in popularity.

It is not hard to see why Formula One racing can be considered as a dangerous sport. Speeding for over 100 miles per hour throughout the race is an obvious reason. Aside from this, the car design also contributes to the fatalistic possibilities of the said event. Formula One racecars have an open cockpit, which exposes a driver’s body.

Danger can be considered synonymous to F1 racing. What generally set it apart from other professional races are the tracks in which F1 races are held. Usual racetracks have simple oval designs, which allows for gradual turns. In F1 racing, there are sharp left and right turns which are included in the race circuits and each race circuit have different sharp turning points. If the driver did not have sufficient practice on a track prior to a race, it would most probably give him a rather disastrous racing experience.

Given these racetrack conditions, certain measures have been provided to minimize danger and ensure the safety of the race drivers. Racing helmets were designed in the 1970′s and 1980′s and were considered as a very important race accessory due to the car’s open cockpit. Aside from this, a head and neck support system has also been developed to prevent whiplash. Whiplash is the term coined for neck sprains brought about by being thrown either forward or backward at a rapid speed. This kind of injury is most common during F1 races.

Aside from personal safety measures for race drivers, racecars have also been provided with additional safety measures. The cockpit of racecars has been strengthened through the use of strong carbon fiber. This has been utilized to make sure that these compartments would be able to withstand serious accidents.

During an F1 race, track hazards are considered to be the most dangerous elements that can be present inside the racetrack. These track hazards may be in the form of stalled cars, car accidents, and debris. Because of these, flags serve as preventive measures everytime a corresponding color are waved to update the race drivers of the race’s current condition.

Each flag’s color plays a vital role to ensure a smoothly ongoing race. A yellow flag is waved to signal a driver to slow down and that driver is automatically prohibited from over taking another car. A red flag is waved to signal either a temporary or abrupt final end of the race. Meanwhile, a red and yellow striped flag being waved indicates that the track have thus become dangerous due to certain track hazards that have been detected. These are some of the race flags used to keep track of race conditions and prevent major racetrack accidents.

Aside from race flags, a safety car can also be seen during an F1 race. The purpose of the safety car is to keep the pace of the race by leading the race drivers around the track. Safety cars are usually seen when track hazards have been detected and when a car can no longer continue to race and must therefore be moved from the group of ongoing racers.

As dangerous as Formula One racing may be, these safety and preventive measures help ensure that everyone who participates in the said sport would be able to enjoy it throughout the years. It is also important to note that the ongoing modern technological innovations, which helped developed, these measures helped everyone appreciate and focus more on the amazing world of driving and speed.

Formula One racing continuously increases in popularity through the years. Its fans also range across different ages. From being a seemingly elitist exclusive sport for wealthy enthusiasts, it has become an international phenomenon, which also welcomes people from different backgrounds.

Perhaps the main reason for its public appeal is the unique physical attributes of the racecars. The most expensive and high-end cars there ever is created can be seen running on F1 race. Not only do racecar constructors pay great attention to car mechanisms but just as well as on the car’s physical appearance. Most cars also tend to be red in color.

Car enthusiasts who also appreciate high-speed driving and its many wonders can definitely appreciate the unique high-performance machines built onto F1 racecars. Drivers usually reach 108mph speeds on track and even more than that. By this, fans get proof of the many high-end characteristics and car details which F1 race cars have always been proud especially when they see these cars zoom past them during each race lap.

Apart from the cars, racetracks can also be an effective means of drawing audiences. Tracks are usually composed of asphalt just as roads and streets are usually made of. The difference, however, lies in its composition as it is made up of exciting and challenging twists and turns which the drivers must be able to endure.

F1 popularity is not just an after-effect of what is seen during the race itself on the track. The merchandise being sold in name of the sport also greatly helps in its marketability and advertising it further. These F1 memorabilia range from jackets, to caps, to t-shirts, and posters as well. Those who have been truly a fan of the sport purchase them even if they cost quite expensive. Those who produce this merchandise are sports car companies whose reputations have also in some way helped make a name for Formula One racing.

Aside from these, the F1 race drivers have also attracted fans on their own and therefore became celebrities in effect. It sure does help that they don sporty race clothes alongside very sporty racecars. The championships of F1 racing have also been well dominated by Europeans, which may probably be the reason why F1 is more popular in Europe and other countries than it is in America. This may also be because F1 has been generally a European-born sport from its early beginnings.

Though America has only been recently getting the hype of F1 racing, it is positively quick in catching up to admire the sport. Racial discrimination is not an issue when it comes to F1 racing. In addition, quite a number of F1 cars are notably seen in races held in America. 19 races were officially recorded and held in the United States for the Formula One event as of 2005. This fact, alongside the sport’s popularity in Asia and Australia just goes to prove how promising F1′s growth and popularity has always been.

After an impressive race, with loads of important moments (rain, pit stop issues, accidents, more rain, etc), Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula 1 championship 2008 against Felipe Massa (2 corners from the end).

(Ferrari took the constructors title…again)

Congratulations to the British driver for a very good season!

Brazilian Grand Prix final results:

1. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari one hour 34 minutes 11.435 seconds
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 13.298 seconds behind
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari +16.235
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari +38.011
5. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes +38.907
6. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota +44.368
7. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes +55.074
8. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota +1:08.463
9. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault +1:19.666
10. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber one lap behind
11. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber one lap
12. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota one lap
13. Jenson Button (GB) Honda one lap
14. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari one lap
15. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda one lap
16. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari two laps
17. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota two laps
18. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari two laps
R Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault 0 laps completed
R David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 0 laps

Key: R = retired

Fastest Lap: Massa 1:13.736 on lap 3

Race marshals can be seen at Formula One Races, each carrying 10 different colored flags with them. Originally, the purpose of these flags is to send messages to the drivers during the race. However, due to the high-speed driving displayed on the track, it would be difficult for the drivers to notice each flag and react accordingly.

Modern-day technology presented a solution for this and thus provided each racing cockpit their very own GPS marshalling system that displays the relevant flag color as the driver passes by a certain location. But this does not mean the race flags automatically lose their importance inside the racetrack. Nowadays, they are still used to send race information to cater to a different group of people–the Formula One Race audience.

As a Formula One Race fan, it would be important to know how each flag is used to keep track of what is literally on track. Each flag has its own specific meaning and collectively, these flags follow a pattern.

Among these flags, the most popular perhaps is the black and white checkered flag. It is used mainly to indicate the end of a race or session and it is waved at the first car to cross the finish line. But this is not the only use of the said flag. During qualifying and practice sessions, it is waved to indicate the elapse of the allotted time.

This is not the only flag used to indicate the end of a race. The waving of a red flag also indicates the same reason but under a different condition. A red flag indicates an abrupt end of a race due to poor racetrack conditions or any track accident or emergency.

Marshals can either wave two yellow flags or only one yellow flag. A yellow flag indicates a problem ahead and waving a single one warns the driver to slow down. On the other hand, two yellow flags indicate that an even greater danger can be expected ahead and the cars might then require stopping. In cases such as these, overtaking is not allowed.

When used in combination, a yellow and a red flag being waved at the same time may indicate adverse track conditions. It may indicate that oil has been spilled on the racetrack or certain dangerous debris may have been found on track.

Just as a race may be abruptly ended, it may still resume after the unavoidable incident has been cleared and the racetrack proven safe again. A green flag serves this purpose, indicating that the race may already resume.

The red, yellow, and green flags are used in Formula One racing almost in the same way it is used to direct road traffic.

Meanwhile, a white flag can also be seen being waved during a race. This indicates that a slow-moving vehicle has entered the track and therefore, drivers must reduce their speed to make way for the vehicle.

The blue flag is used to warn a driver that a faster car is approaching. In this case, the driver must let the faster car pass him by. If a driver fails to let a faster car pass by after being warned by a blue flag thrice, he then gets penalized.

Aside from these color-coded uses, the race flags are also used to inform the drivers of their current status on track. These race flags are also being used to keep the race spectators updated regarding the individual status of the personal cars or racers, which they may have been keeping an eye on.

If a driver’s behavior during a race becomes unacceptable, a half black and half white flag is raised together with the driver’s car number. If the driver’s behavior continues after these have been raised, it may lead to his disqualification.

If a driver becomes disqualified, a purely black flag is waived to inform him that he must return to his pit within the next lap.

Lastly, a black flag with an orange circle in the middle is waived to inform a driver that a vehicle mechanical problem has been detected and should then return his car to the pit.

Early European Grand Prix racing gave birth to Formula One racing. European Grand Prix racing has always been held on public streets but in its evolved form, Formula One racing is now being held on specifically designed circuits to meet the high-performance demand of the said race.

Traditional venue locations are always kept on schedule although the number of Grand Prix races held yearly varies. Moreover, new circuits were being built and added to these schedules to target the new international markets for Formula One racing.

In the beginning, Formula One racing were mostly held in Europe. As years passed, new circuits have been added from all over the world due to the increasing popularity of the said event. By 1953, the first South American Formula One Grand Prix was held. Soon enough, the African World Championship race was added in 1958. Thus, a series of worlwide race circuits came to be. This year, only 8 out of 17 races would be held in Europe and at present, Formula One Racing is being held in the following areas: Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

When it comes to current Formula One racing circuits, Hermann Tilke is considered to be the pioneer of its newer designs. Although critics have argued that current race circuits have lost the challenging and demanding character, which have previously made them popular, the newer circuits now boasts of higher safety standards and additional means of accommodating a continuously increasing number of Grand Prix audiences.

Out of all the Grand Prix circuits, the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo is considered to be the most popular. There have been very little changes in the Monte Carlo circuit ever since it has been home to the World Championship Formula One racing in 1955. The addition of a new pit complex in 2004 is the most major change encountered by the circuit by far and this was done to cater to the increasing number of its spectators.

Aside from that, the Monaco Grand Prix is also the most prestigious competition for racecar drivers. The difficulty and danger of its circuit poses a big challenge for each of its Grand Prix participants. Thus, winning the said event results to a racer being named as one of the best there ever was in the world of racecar driving.

Another well-known race circuit is The Brickyard. The name was coined for the Formula One racing being held at the Indianapolis International Speedway in the United States. The Indy 500 was considered as a World Championship round in Formula One racing from 1950 to 1960. Although the Indy 500 no longer became a part of the championship series after 1960, Formula One racers still continued to participate in the said event. However, it was only in the year 2000 that Indianapolis again became a circuit host for a Formula One World Championship after a new infield racing course have been built. The Indianapolis International Speedway greatly contributed to the growing market base of Formula One enthusiasts in the United States.

Over the years, Formula One racing has proven its success not only in expanding its circuits into higher and newer innovations but also in increasing its marketability across the different nations of different spectators.

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.

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.

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.

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.