Formula 1 is the Highest Class of International Racing to this day
Formula 1, often called F1, is a worldwide racing competition where drivers compete in specialized cars on different tracks around the globe. The competition is made up of several races known as Grand Prix. Each race event has three main parts: one day for practice sessions, another day for qualifying rounds to determine the starting positions, and finally, the race day itself, usually on a Sunday. The F1 schedule is made such that there are rest days that usually range from one to two weeks. The idea is to allow teams and drivers to travel to the next event and make any necessary repairs or adjustments to their cars.
The competitors are grouped into teams. There are 10 teams in total, and each team has two drivers. These teams have the support of what are called ‘constructors’, who refer to companies that build racing cars, especially the engines . An example is Red Bull Racing with one team that has a sister team called Scuderia Toro Rosso. Both teams get their engines from Honda and so even though Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso are related, they compete separately in the races. Each team is aiming to be the fastest, not just in one race, but throughout the whole season.
Races happen on ‘circuits’, which are tracks made for high-speed racing. Circuits are not like normal roads but are specially designed to handle very fast cars used in F1 racing. Normally, people like to watch the races due to speed, which explains why these cars are built to move extremely fast and to stick to the track (or circuits) during tight turns. The downforce they create, which is the force that keeps them pressed to the track, is more than three times the weight of the car itself. This means that when a driver goes near a corner, the force they feel is like being squeezed with three times their body weight. Also, F1 cars are so fast and the races so long, often over two hours, that drivers need to be very fit and focused to drive them.
Formula 1 has lap times, which is how long it takes a driver to complete one full circle of the track. Each lap time is recorded to the millisecond, and over a race, these times are used to determine which driver is fastest and how they compare to their competitors. The goal for drivers is to achieve the fastest lap times possible, consistently, throughout the race. There are also what are known as pit stops, which are like time-outs for cars. Drivers tend to stop the car, and move to designated area to get refueled, change tires, make repairs, or adjust settings to improve performance. These pit stops happen so fast and can be the deciding factor between winning or losing a race. During a pit stop, a team of mechanics works as a team to perform the needed tasks as fast as possible before sending the car back into the race.
Watch the video below to learn more about Formula 1 and the basics !
