F-1 as tight-lipped as military projects
F-1 racing is long known to be the most competitive and technologically advanced type of car racing in the world. It is the most dangerous as well. F-1 cars are state of the art creatures pushing technology to its limits.
What makes Formula 1 racing different from other racing sports is that the teams are also competing among themselves. To succeed in F-1 Grand Prix (teams’ competition) a team requires large financial investment along with attention to detail and discipline. That’s why technology used in this sport as-as secretive as top military secrets.
Here are 16 cool facts about the sport:
- European Grand Prix Motor Racing took place nearly a 100 years ago in the 1920s. This racing event is considered to be the roots for F-1. Word formula means specific set of rules that teams & drivers must adhere to during the competition.
- Lucky Hill. Every driver who joined the competition with the surname Hill won at least one championship. Phil Hill, Grayham Hill and Darion Hill. Last two are father and son.
- €7,000,000 (7 million) is an average price for a “basic” formula 1 car. This price will get you most basic features with it. Research and development is priced separately.
- Parts of the reason why these machines are so expensive is that they built of approx. of 80 000 components. Assembly of them is also very intense, requiring 100% accuracy.
- During a single race, formula 1 driver loses ~ 4kg of his body weight. That’s right, 4kg in a single race. 1kg of lost weight = 10 times more of lost psycho-physical ability. On the good note, formula 1 machines have water bottle installed in them, allowing driver to drink it through the straw.
- F-1 tyres are working just as hard as the drivers during the races. On average each tyre loses 0.5kg of weight (per race) as it spins ~ 50 times per second. Depending on the compound F-1 tyres lasts 90 to 120 km. (Normal tyres ~ 20,000 – 30,000 Km).
- An average weight of the car + driver is 702kg.
- Top pit stop teams can change tyres and refuel in 3 seconds!
- 0-100km/h and back to 0km/h again can be achieved in 4 seconds with a F-1 car.
- Driver’s helmets are ones of extreme toughness. One of the safety tests that they have to pass is 45 seconds in 800C flame.
- Speaking of heat, during the race brake discs can heat up to 1200C. That’s why they are manufactured using the unbreakable carbon fiber material. (1200C in the temperature of lava)
- An average car on the street will last up to 20 years while having rev cap of 6000/7000 rpm. F-1 engine lasts for about 2 hours of continuous racing before it blows up. These engines are getting up to 18000 rpm.
- German driver Michael Schumacher has the most championship wins in the history of F-1. In 2004 he won record 7th title.
- F-1 cars are reaching top speeds of up 360 km/h, which is faster than small aeroplanes taking off. To keep these cars on the track, aerodynamic downforce is provided by their wings.
- When braking and manoeuvring F1 drivers experience a force of 5 times their own weight.
- During the 1977 British Grand Prix David Purley suffered a crash estimated of 197.8g. His car went from 173 km/h to standstill in just 2 seconds. The driver recovered and went back to racing later on. This just shows you how safe the modern F1 cars are.
As always, if you have any questions or require help choosing the right tyres, just give us a call on 01 860 20 20 or enquire via here.
