Formula One or F1 is officially known as the FIA Formula One World Championship. Formula 1 is the pinnacle of world motor sport. It is the series of single seater auto racing known as Grands Prix. It is authorized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). F1 Group is a legal holder of commercial rights. F1 is a great television event, with global audience of 600 million. Because of its high popularity and profile sponsors make huge investment. The annual spending totals billions of dollars.
F1 cars race speeds up to 220mph with engine performance to maximum 18,000 rpm. F1 engines contain some of the most advanced automotive technology in the world. The performance of the car is dependent on tyres, electronics, aerodynamics and suspension.
In Formula 1 “formula” refers to the set of rules which all cars and participant have to meet. The first F1 world championship race was held in 1950 at Silverstone, UK which was won by Italian Giuseppe Farina in his Alfa Romeo car. Juan Manuel Fangio won the five World Championship titles for the year 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957.
It is held on circuits and roads. A circuit includes a stretch of straight road on which the starting grid is situated. The current circuits are in Melbourne, Monaco, Valencia and Singapore. Modern race circuits are specially constructed for competition considering the safety of drivers. They are are surrounded by crash barriers and high safety fences. The new Bahrain International Circuit constructed in 2004 is one such example.
In F1, twenty-two drivers race at the speed of 220 mph. The safety of the drivers, spectators, mechanics and track officials has to be kept in mind. The helmet is an important accessory for the driver as major crashes and collisions are common occurrences which can cause severe injuries. The drivers wear flame-resistant race suits, underwear, gloves and boots. These are designed of flame-resistant substance called Nomex which can withstand temperatures of 840 degrees Celsius for 11 seconds. Head and Neck Support (HANS) is features in the car to prevent head from flying forward and carbon fiber collar, worn around the drivers neck.
On October 30, 2011, F1 Grand Prix will be held in India for the first time. India circuit is being designed by German designer Hermann Tilke and Design Cell, a reputed landscape architectural firm.
Formula 1 World Championship Calendar of 2011
March 13, 2011 - Bahrain
March 27, 2011 - Australia
April 10, 2011 - Malaysia
April 17, 2011 - China
May 8, 2011 - Turkey
May 22, 2011 - Spain
May 29, 2011 - Monaco
June 12, 2011 - Canada
June 26, 2011 - Europe
July 10, 2011 - Great Britain
July 24, 2011 - Germany
July 31, 2011 - Hungary
August 28, 2011 - Belgium
September 11, 2011 - Italy
September 25, 2011 - Singapore
October 9, 2011 - Japan
October 16, 2011 - Korea
October 30, 2011 – India
November 13, 2011 - Abu Dhabi
November 27, 2011 - Brazil