Formula One

Formula One race is commonly known as formula 1 racing or Grand Prix racing. As the title depicts “Formula One” is the most advanced and most competitive of the motorcar racing. Formula 1 racing is an outstanding auto race as defined by FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) which is world motor sports governing body. In the F1 world sports championship season there are array of formula 1 racing held normally on purposely-built circuits or sometimes on closed streets of a city. The results of the formula 1 racing are accumulated to determine annual World Champions. There are two categories one for drivers and one for constructor’s championship.

It is a gigantic television event having millions of viewer around the world. The average speed of the car is usually greater than 300 Km/h. There are certain restrictions and codes that cars must meet. Cars are designed in such a way so that increasing cornering speeds are in safe ranges. Performance of cars is highly dependent on various factors like aerodynamics, electronics, suspension and tyres.

It is a high profile game and its popularity world wide makes it viable commercial.

It is believed that formula one driving has originated from Europe as Grand Prix race around 1920's. Formula one got new formula after World War II in 1946 when first races were held which were non championship races.Many Grand Prix racing organizations laid out rules for F1 championships before second world war but due to suspension of races during conflicts rules were decided in 1947.

The formula one races has seen many evolutions and changes through out the history of sport. Engines used are of many types like : normally aspirated,supercharged and turbocharged having range from straight-4 to H16, with displacements from 1.5 litres to 4.5 litres.The maximum power achieved in history of race is around 1200 bhp(900 KW) during 1980.

The dictionary meaning of formula is blueprint or set of rules so in this F1 race there are set of rules which all participants and cars need to meet. This sport is regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (International Automobile Federation FIA), headquarters in Place de la Concorde, Paris.

There are two sets of rules, the technical regulations and the sporting regulations.

In the 2006 Formula One Season, there were eighteen races involving ten teams (each team sending two car and driver). In the 2007 Formula One calendar, there will be seventeen races in the season with eleven team participating.

According to FIA regulations for Formula One Driving, in a season the minimum number of races is 8 and the maximum number is 20. The final list of the races is announced by FIA before the beginning of the year i.e. Before 1st January. Not more than 24 car are allowed in any race, with each team entering with two cars.

The first eight car finishing the race are awarded points with the remaining car getting zero points. The car at first place gets 10 points, car at second place gets 8 points, third place car gets 6 points and 4th,5th,6th,7th and 8th place gets 5,4,3,2 points respectively.

The Driver's Championship for the season/year is given to the driver with the maximum number of points from the result of all the races of the season. And the Constructor Championship is given to the team/make who has the maximum points for the season, taking into account the points awarded to both the car in the race.

Except for the Circuit de Monaco Formula One track, the distance covered in a race is in excess of 305 km, provided it is covered in 2 hrs from the start of the race. In that case, the race leader is shown the chequered flag when he completes the track lap during the lap when the two hours time period expired.

The race is monitored by the race stewards appointed by the FIA and they can impose any one of the following three penalties on the F1 driver is involved in an incident during the race. Incident means that the driver in the race has breached the Sporting Regulations or caused a collision or forced other contesting cars off the track or done an illegal manoeuvre.

1. 1. A drive-through-drive must enter the pet lane ( when maximum speed limit is imposed much below the cars's speed) and re-join without stopping.
2. 2. A ten second time penalty – enter pet lane, stop for 10 seconds and then re-join.
3. 3. A drop of ten grid positions at the line up for start of that race or the next race ( if their race is in progress).

Presently, in the 2007 season, a rookie (first time driver in Formula one) Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain is challenging the reigning champion Fernando Alonso of Spain and both the drivers are of McLaren team. There rivals are Kimi raikkonen and F Massa of Ferrari team. Get the Formula one 2008 Schedule and Formula one Tickets.