Formula 1, Motorsport Queen, Circus Maximus. It has many names, but the essence is the same. This article is intended both for people who are far from motorsport and Formula 1 in particular, and for loyal fans of the Queen of Motorsport who want to learn more about their favorite sport.
Many people have been watching Formula 1 car racing for several years, but they do not know what exactly is called Formula 1. To fix this, you need to figure out what is behind this beautiful name. The term "Formula 1" can be defined in a narrow and broad sense.
In a narrow sense, it is a set of technical standards, requirements and rules in accordance with which the Formula 1 World Championship is organized and held. The International Automobile Federation - FIA is in charge of adopting and changing these rules. It is the main governing body of all motorsport competitions in the world. The rules established by it are primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of pilots - participants in auto racing competitions, as well as spectators in the stands. In addition, the FIA aims to ensure the development of motorsport, so that motor racing does not turn into an ultra-expensive and exotic sport.
In a broad sense, Formula 1 is the world championship in circuit racing, which is played annually and consists of stages - the Grand Prix. At the end of each season, winners are determined in individual and team standings. The rider who takes first place in the individual competition is awarded the title world champion, and the team - the Constructors' Cup.
Under the name "Formula 1" championships have been held since 1950, however, even before that, regular Grand Prix were held, but there was no centralized system for scoring points for winning stages.
For Formula 1, the names "Queen of Motorsport" or "Royal Races" have stuck. This is due to the fact that Formula 1 is considered the most prestigious racing series in the world and the pinnacle of a career for most racing drivers. There are several reasons for this:
1) The highest level of technology in Formula 1, making its cars the fastest cars, subject to the restrictions that are set technical regulations ;
2) The incredible high cost of Formula 1. The most successful teams spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually, a large proportion of which are the fees of the racers themselves, who receive millions, and sometimes tens of millions annually.
3) The worldwide popularity of Formula 1. Millions of fans around the world watch the queen of motorsport, and hundreds of thousands of people gather at the circuits hosting the Grand Prix.
To get a deeper understanding of how Formula 1 works, it will be helpful to look at the basic concepts that make up the sport.
Formula 1 calendar
Formula 1 calendar consists of a certain number of stages - Grand Prix, which are held in various countries around the world. As a rule, the championship consists of 16-19 stages. The first stage is traditionally held in March, and the last one in October or November.
The 2016 Formula 1 World Championship is the longest in the history of Formula 1 and consists of 21 stages, and the shortest consisted of seven races was held twice: in 1950 and 1955.
The Formula 1 World Championship calendar is compiled by the FIA and published one year before the start of the respective season. The owners of the autodromes personally conclude agreements with the leadership of Formula 1 on hosting the Grand Prix. The fact of hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix significantly increases the popularity and prestige of the autodrome.
Formula 1 Grand Prix
No more than two pilots from one team can be entered for each stage of the championship. Each team is allowed to use no more than four different drivers during the season.
All Formula 1 Grand Prix consist of certain parts - sessions:
1) free practice- consists of three parts. Two of them take place on Friday (in Monaco - on Thursday) and last 1.5 hours, and one lasting 1 hour takes place on Saturday morning. These races are designed to prepare riders and teams for qualifying and the race - familiarization with the track, setting up the car and choosing a strategy.
2) Qualification- this type of races is designed to determine the starting positions of the pilots in the race. According to the current rules, the qualification consists of three parts: 20, 15 and 10 minutes each. All pilots take part in the first part, the best 16 pilots take part in the second part, the best 10 pilots take part in the third. pole position (field position) - this means that in the race he will start from first place.
3) Race- the final and most important stage of the Grand Prix. Traditionally held on Sunday. At the start of the race, all riders line up on the starting line in accordance with the results of the qualification and taking into account all penalties. The average distance of the race is 300 kilometers, and the number of laps varies from 50 to 70, depending on the length of the track. Current sports regulations prohibit refueling cars during a race. Also, all drivers are required to make at least one pit stop, as the rules require them to use both types of tires during the race.
Tires in Formula 1
The official supplier of tires in Formula 1 is the Italian company Pirelli. In the 2016 season, Pirelli introduced seven different rubber types:
1) Hard (Hard) - marked in orange.
2) Medium (Medium) - marked in white.
3) Soft (Soft) - marked in yellow.
4) Super-soft (Super-soft) - marked in red.
5) Ultra-soft (Ultra-soft) - marked in purple.
6) Intermediate - marked in green.
7) Rain (Full wet) - marked in blue.
Up to 5 types of tires are allowed on any given Grand Prix - Intermediate and Rain types are available on all Grands Prix, but are added to three of the five dry types that Pirelli selects in advance.
Almost every Grand Prix, someone remains dissatisfied with the work of the judges - sometimes it's the pilots, sometimes the fans, and often both. We talk about the rules that enrage everyone, but so far they haven’t come up with a better alternative.
Motor fines
In order to keep the cost of participating in Formula 1 under control, the rules spell out a clear number of certain components of the car that the team can use. So, in the course of the season, on one car (formally, a car, not a pilot, participates in the race; changing into someone else's car, the racer cannot “take away” unused elements with him) three internal combustion engines, three turbines, two energy storage devices, etc. d. Exceeding the norm is punishable by a penalty on the starting grid.
In practice, this rule leads to the fact that by the end of the season, when everyone has used up the allowed limit of components, the starting grid is constantly redrawn due to numerous penalties, and it becomes impossible to figure out who starts behind whom. Neither journalists, nor even teams can independently calculate the placement of the starting grid and are waiting for an official document that may come out many, many hours after qualifying.
Instead of penalties on the grid, various options were offered, the most realistic of which were monetary penalties and deduction of points in the Constructors' Championship. True, they do not look effective: large teams like Mercedes and Red Bull, which spend half a billion euros a year, will not be prevented by any fines, and in the context of the Constructors' Championship, the leaders have a large margin on points, which will also allow them to use almost unlimited number of motors. The middle peasants will lose the most from such a measure, who will only have strangled and “tired” engines and will no longer be able to start high due to fines from top teams.
Formula 1 is exploring whether to replace fines on the grate with ballast
Prohibition of overtaking on the side of the road
The rules allow pilots to leave the track if necessary, but at this point the rider should not gain an advantage, and should be careful when returning. It would seem a logical point. However, if you follow it very meticulously, then absurd situations arise when the defending pilot pushed the opponent off the track, but he did not lose pace on the asphalt safety zone and still went ahead - and receives a penalty for this. Similar situations can often be observed at the exit from La Source to Spa.
Track limits are a very important point, they prevent drivers from cutting corners (see 2017 US Grand Prix), however, in their current wording, the rules do not distinguish between inside and outside limits of the racing surface. To make the rule more logical, it is enough to make a small clarification in the wording.
In its current form, the rule provokes strange and non-obvious details to the fan. So, before the Italian Grand Prix, an additional curb is placed outside the Parabolica, which should prevent the pilots from leaving the track, while maintaining a higher speed. In qualifying for this violation, they even removed the time of the next lap. But if the car is able to pass there without cutting the turn, and does it faster, then why not expand the boundaries of the track?
Why is it impossible to put a SAFER barrier in this place, as in IndyCar (this series has security problems, but they are associated with net traps and an open cockpit, not bumpers), so that the car could not physically pass where it is not allowed? As a result, the directives provoke the accident of Alexander Peroni, who probably would have died if it were not for the “halo”.
DRS
Drag Reduction System - DRS - appeared in Formula 1 in 2011. In order to somehow facilitate overtaking, she allowed the pursuing car to use moving elements of aerodynamics, which had previously been strictly prohibited. DRS really helped to increase the number of overtaking - but not the level of spectacle, however, this system has many opponents.
The main problem with DRS is that the car in front cannot use it, and therefore it turns out to be in a deliberately less favorable position - and only because it was in front. However, Formula 1 recognizes that DRS is a necessary measure, and the draft regulations for 2021 were drawn up so that overtaking took place without it. Perhaps the championship will get rid of this crutch in the near future.
Last vacancy closed! Formula 1 line-ups for 2020
All information about the contracts of drivers for the 2020 season and the latest rumors from Formula 1 are in our table.
Tire limit
This year the situation has calmed down a bit, and earlier in Formula 1 there were five different types of rubber, from which the teams chose three - so that the “super soft” (according to the official Pirelli classification) compound could be the toughest. Now the classification is simpler: "hard", "medium" and "soft", which can vary from C1 to C5. However, many other tire complications still apply: riders are required to use two different "compounds" during the race, a certain amount must be handed over to the judges, even if they were not used ...
It should be noted here that tires are a very valuable resource. The de facto limitation on tires puts a limit on mileage. If the number of kits teams get for the weekend were unlimited, then the richer would be able to test a wider range of new products with an eye to the future, and in the current situation, engineers have only a few attempts to test everything. So within the same circuit, large and small teams find themselves on a more equal footing - and this is a very effective measure to contain costs.
Schumacher is brought out of a coma. What nonsense?
Brief analysis of the real state of affairs.
Refueling ban
One of the most criticized rules in recent years is the ban on refueling. Basically, they were motivated by concern for safety, as well as requirements for fuel consumption: since Formula 1 is the pinnacle of technology, let it serve the actual problems of mankind. As a result, at the start, the mass of the car is 100 kg more than at the finish, and the pilots for the most part cannot drive to the limit.
P.S. Modern Formula 1 rules are not ideal, but every word written in a sports or technical regulation has one meaning or another. The work of the federation is to keep this meaning and make the rules as transparent and understandable as possible, and in such a way as not to spoil the races and not interfere with the pilots. Now this task fell on the shoulders of Ross Brown - it was he, along with Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher, who led Ferrari to dominance, and then won the championship with a team named after himself. Hardly anyone can do better than him.
However, one should not think that the slightest drawback is enough to cancel this or that rule - perhaps it has much more advantages. The rules of Formula 1 are the result of a century of development of world motorsport, which brings together the best practices from all the world's championships. And soon these practices should become even more perfect. Otherwise, it will be the biggest failure of Ross Brown's career.
We have no doubt that you are well aware of the history, rules and technical regulations of Formula 1. Or not? Or do you know, but it seems to you a boring conversation? Especially for you, we have compiled a collection of facts, figures and anecdotes that you can surprise your friends with while watching the Sochi Formula 1 round, which will be held from April 29 to May 1.
Originally from Italy
Formula 1 was born out of national pride. Before the Second World War, the Germans smashed everyone and everything on the race tracks. The war was over, the Germans had no time for racing, and the national auto club of Italy decided to retaliate: in 1949, at the congress of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the club lobbied for the creation of a Formula 1 world championship.
The first world champion in 1950 was the nephew of the founder of Pininfarina, Giuseppe Farina, who played for the Alfa Romeo team. Italian pilots took the championship two more times (Alberto Ascari, 1952-1953), but that was the end of their success in F-1. The Germans, by the way, after returning to the sport, "took" already 11 championship titles in the "Formula".
$ 2 billion was the revenue of the Formula 1 management company last season (Forbes data).
- Sponsorship contracts $400 million
- Sale of rights to television broadcasts $600 million
- Contributions of the organizers of the Grand Prix $700 million
- Sale of souvenirs $100 million
- Sales of VIP tickets $200 million
Step back
It sounds absurd, but in 1952-53. the Formula 1 champion was determined behind the wheel of a Formula 2. After Alfa Romeo left the Grand Prix (as F-1 is also called), the first Formula cars were simply not enough: for example, the Auto Union factories that ended up in the Soviet occupation zone were dismantled. So the idea came up to “transfer” to Formula 2 cars with their 2-liter naturally aspirated or 500 cc supercharged engines. By the way, the USSR team also participated in that championship on Sokol-650 fireballs - modified copies of Auto Union products exported from Germany after the war. The Falcons did not take off above the 5th place.
200 km/h
Such a speed of the car is capable of absorbing the system of fenders on the Formula 1 tracks upon impact. The car will be destroyed, but the pilot will not be seriously injured. At least in theory.
Bernie's revenge
Today it seems that the 84-year-old F1 manager and co-owner Bernie Ecclestone has always been at the helm of F1. In fact, Bernard Charles Ecclestone at first did not want to steer the entire organization, but one car. In 1958, Bernie tried to qualify for the Monaco Grand Prix but failed to qualify. Legend has it that, getting out of the car, Ecclestone angrily said: "We'll see who wins in the end!" Become the head of the "Formula" out of harm - it's like Ecclestone.
* Ecclestone directly owns 5.3% of the Formula One Group and another 8.5% through a family trust.
28 tons - the average weight of the luggage of the Formula 1 team, with which she travels around the world. This includes not only cars and spare parts for them, but also several trucks with components for assembling garages and "motorhomes" - nomadic team offices. For example, the "house" McLaren is 18 meters long and 14 wide, and 3 floors high. Inside - guest areas, meeting rooms, offices, toilets, showers, a medical room and a kitchen. This "motorhome" can accommodate 140 guests, who can use 60 plasma panels to watch the race. Assembling the house with all the "stuffing" takes 35 hours, dismantling - 22 hours. During the season, "motorhome" goes through these phases 19 times.
First death
Strictly speaking, McNamara driver Carl Scarborough became the second victim of Formula 1. But Chet Miller from Kurtis Kraft died in training, and the Scarborough tragedy played out right during the Indianapolis 500 (the second stage of the 1953 Formula 1 season). On May 30, 1953, the asphalt of Indianapolis literally melted, heating up to 54 degrees, the organizers even allowed the pilots to change each other at the wheel. Scarborough drove 69 laps to such a pit stop, but, getting out of the car, collapsed on the asphalt - heat stroke and dehydration. A few hours later, the rider died.
MH A total of 49 drivers have died in F1, but the frequency of fatalities has been declining over time. The 50s claimed 18 lives, the 60s - 14, the 70s - 10, the 80s - 4, the 90s - 2. After the "black weekend" in 1994 (see below), the rules and regulations " Formula 1" were changed, and since then only one racer has crashed - Jules Bianchi from Marussia (he died on July 21 after 9 months in a coma).
A little slower, Kvyat
A Formula 1 speeding ticket sounds like a joke, but it's actually serious. Strict restrictions apply in the pit lane, where you can not accelerate faster than 60 km / h. For this violation in the race, the pilots are punished with an additional drive in the pit lane. On training races, for each extra km / h in the pit lane, a rider is charged 200 euros. For example, last season at the Australian Grand Prix "hit" 600 euros.
You give youth
In the 1950s, 40- to 50-year-old drivers were the norm in Formula One. At the same time, an “age” record was set among racers: Louis-Alexandre Chiron went to the start of the Monaco Grand Prix on May 18, 1958 at the age of 58 years and 288 days. The average age of Formula 1 drivers today is 26 years. And the youngest participant in the Grand Prix of all time is the Dutchman Max Verstappen: he was 17 years and 4 days old at the start in Japan in 2014.
The most ridiculous accident
Amateur racer Giulio Cabianchi in 1960 unexpectedly finished fourth at the Italian Grand Prix. A year later, the Scuderia Castellotti team again invited Giulio to enter the same race. But on tests before the race, it turned out that there was no gearbox in the car dedicated to Kabianchi. The mechanics managed to find a certain gearbox “from acquaintances” that seemed to fit the Ferrari engine, and Giulio immediately jumped behind the wheel. On the first lap, the “box” jammed in 4th speed. Trying to save the car, Kabianchi at speed taxied out of the circuit through the open gate directly onto the highway. There, he rammed a passenger car and a van, which in turn crashed into a motorcyclist and some metal blocks, which then crushed the cyclist. Kabianchi himself, a van driver, a motorcyclist and a cyclist were killed.
F-1 pilot loses 2-3 kg in one race. He has only 0.5 liters of water with him in the car (a straw is brought into the helmet), and the temperature inside the cockpit sometimes reaches 50°C.
Top 5 salaries in Formula 1 /2015
- Hamilton (Mercedes) €25 million
- Alonso (McLaren) €23 million
- Vettel (Ferrari) €22 million
- Rosberg (Mercedes) €20 million
- Raikkonen (Ferrari) €18 million
Sochi Autodrom in 4 facts
1. The creator of the Sochi track is the chief architect of Formula 1 Herman Tilke. Sochi Autodrom is his 11th job to date.
2. Pilots cover 5853.7 meters of the Sochi track in an average of 96.9 seconds, passing 18 turns (12 right and 6 left). And the longest track of the championship is the Belgian Grand Prix (7004 meters of distance, even for the fastest pilots it takes more than 2 minutes).
3. Speed in corners in Sochi reaches 305 km/h, on straight lines - up to 320 km/h. And the fastest track in the championship is the Italian Monza: in 2005, Kimi Raikkonen accelerated there to 370 km / h.
4. The width of our route is considered optimal - 13–15 meters. The narrowest Formula 1 track is located in Monte Carlo (12 meters).
$4,000,000 is the approximate average cost of producing one car, excluding the cost of design work.
Characters
Spain
Where: McLaren Honda team
Two-time world champion in the Formula 1 class (2005, 2006), three-time vice-champion (2010, 2012, 2013). UNICEF Ambassador, TAG Heuer Brand Ambassador
What was your first car?
My dad loved karting and built karts for me. More precisely, at first he built a kart for my sister (she was then 7, and I was 2), but I showed interest in this toy, and soon my turn came. It was a simple 50cc kart and I raced it for the first time when I was 3 years old. Finished last in all races.
Which race was the most difficult for you?
I remember the hardest time was in 2005, because then the cars were much faster than now. Take the time of the winner of this year's Malaysian Grand Prix and compare it with the time of the winner of the same race in 2005: now the winner is six laps slower. It was physically and psychologically more difficult to drive those cars (in 2005, Formula 1 used 3-liter V10s with a capacity of up to 950 hp. Today, all cars have a 1.6-liter V6 (600–700 hp) plus electric motor - MH).
Did this make racing more boring?
No, because the struggle with other racers has not become less, which means that the adrenaline has not diminished.
What changes will benefit Formula?
I would bring back refueling and "tire wars" - when there are several tire manufacturers, this benefits everyone (now the only official supplier of the "Formula" is the Italian Pirelli - MH).
91 Grand Prix
This is the list of victories of the German Michael Schumacher (played for Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes). He also has 155 podiums and 7 championship titles (1994, 1995, 2000-2004) - all of these are absolute Formula 1 records.
600 liters of fuel, 35 liters of engine oil and 15 liters of gear oil burns a car during a racing weekend.
The dirtiest scam
The debate about whether team bosses can be allowed to direct the actions of the racers on the radio and whether it is possible to "belittle" the results of one in order to help the second win, has been going on throughout the history of Formula. But what happened on September 28, 2008 at the Singapore Grand Prix circuit was recognized as a criminal fraud without any doubt. On that day, Renault pilot Nelsinho Pique heard a voice in his headphones: he ordered the driver to crash his car, for which Pique was promised a contract extension for another year.
No, it was not a hallucination, the head of the team, Flavio Briatore, was broadcasting on the radio. Piqué obediently slammed the car into a bump stop in a narrow section of the track, interfering with other riders and endangering the safety of spectators. But this allowed his Renault partner Fernando Alonso to gain a huge advantage and win the Grand Prix. Only a year later, the fraud was revealed: the Renault team was fined, and Briatore was expelled from F-1 for life.
Failed "flyers"
“Formula 1” was often reproached for the fact that victory here can be “buyed for money”: the larger the team’s budget, the cooler the car, the more awards it has. In 2002, the FIA proposed an "ingenious" reform plan: drivers were to change teams and cars before each Grand Prix. Smart? Imagine that in the Russian Football Championship the players spend each round for different teams: today they are Spartak, tomorrow they are Ufa or Mordovia. This is where even the most dedicated fans get confused. In short, the reform of the "Formula" failed before it began.
It takes 1/100 of a second to shift gears on an F1 car. During the race, pilots perform this operation an average of 2600 times (at the Monaco Grand Prix - 3100 times).
09/05/1970 Austrian Jochen Rindt, who led the 1970 championship race after nine stages, arrived at the Italian Grand Prix with a new Lotus 72 car and a radical idea: right before the race on September 5, 1970, a wing was removed from his car, which increased the maximum speed on the straights up to 330 km/h.
Rindt's teammate John Miles recalls: “Without downforce, the car became uncontrollable. The rear wheels seemed to be slipping out from under you.” On lap 5, Rindt's car swerved and flew off the track, crashing against the bump stop.
The rider's body shifted forward and down so much that the seat belt was tightened around his neck. Rindt died, but the points earned at the previous stages were enough to win the title - this is the only F-1 champion awarded posthumously (and we hope no one will beat this record).
An unsuccessful pilot is fate. Alex Diaz Ribeiro of the March team in the late 70s could only qualify in half of his 20 races. But 20 years later, he returned to the "Big Prizes" - this time as an ambulance driver. Alas, changing the car to a car with a red cross did not help much. At the Monaco Grand Prix, Alex did not fit into the Tobacco turn and crashed his ambulance, injuring the doctor sitting in it. At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Ribeiro himself almost got into a hospital bed: having stopped the car at the Senna C turn to help the driver who had an accident, Alex opened the door - and Nick Heidfeld's car from the Sauber team immediately crashed into it.
In general, here the former Ribeiro realized that it was time to tie up with Formula ... And once he met an albino frog, under the influence of this rendezvous he revised his views on the world, joined the Athletes in Christ organization and forgot about racing ( everything described is real facts, if you don’t believe it, check it out).
15 hospitals
So many medical facilities located near the race venue are put on high alert on race days. And next to the highway itself, six ambulances and a helicopter are on duty.
The most ridiculous gathering
It is believed that only passengers can get sick in the car. But driver Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing denied this theory. In 2007, during the Japanese Grand Prix, the pilot needed a bag - but where can I get it in the car? Soon, Mark stopped the race, radioing that his car already had too much, let's say, superfluous.
Characters
Germany
Where: Team Mercedes AMG Petronas
Vice world champion in the Formula 1 class (2014), Ambassador of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Ambassador of the Thomas Sabo brand
How is a Formula 1 car, other than speed, different from a regular car?
For example, in a conventional car, the force on the brake pedal is always the same, but in the Formula it changes depending on speed and downforce, so braking at 300 km / h and braking at 20 km / h have to be completely different. To be the fastest in Formula 1, you have to be the best at braking.
If I were in charge of the Royal Races, I would get rid of everything that raises the price for the audience and reduces the spectacle. For example, the fact that they abandoned the Traction control anti-slip system - I think this is only for the benefit of Formula, it has become more interesting to watch races.
Most ridiculous retirement - 2
The famous English driver Nigel Mansell won 31 Grand Prix during his career. There would have been even more victories if on June 2, 1991 in Montreal, the Briton, leading in the last meters of the race, did not decide to greet the audience. Mansell raised his hand to wave to the stands, at which point he accidentally turned off the engine of his Williams. As a result, he waved his hand and the cars of rivals rushing past.
Why TO?
Average prices for parts for F-1 cars.
- wheel nuts $110
Consumption per season: 500 pieces - Radiator $11 000
- Nose fairing assembly with front wing $19 000
Consumption per season: 10 sets - Rear wing $20 000
Consumption per season: 15 pieces - Exhaust system $26 000
Consumption per season: 54 sets - Set of discs and brake pads $48 000
Consumption per season: 40 sets - Steering wheel $40 000
Consumption per season: up to 8 pieces - Titanium and carbon fiber front suspension arms $100 000
Consumption per season: 20 pieces - Rear suspension arms $120 000
Consumption per season: 20 sets - Semi automatic transmission $130 000
Consumption per season: 10 pieces
1.7 seconds - The average acceleration time of a Formula 1 car to 100 km / h. Braking time from 100 km / h - 1.4 seconds.
Some moments from the history of "Formula 1" could decorate the film "Mad Max: Fury Road." For example, on October 18, 2009, two hot Finns literally lit up at the Brazilian Grand Prix: Heikki Kovalainen, having started early from the pit stop, tore out the filling hose - his McLaren rushed forward with this “tail”, dousing Ferrari gasoline following Kimi Raikkonen. The fuel flared up, turning Kimi's car into a fireball for a few seconds, but we must pay tribute to Raikkonen - he not only did not stop, but did not even slow down. Kimi's first personal car was our Lada, you can't scare him with such nonsense.
40 seconds of open flame can withstand the pilot's fireproof suit.
Black Weekend: 3 Worst Days in Formula History
4 accidents and 2 deaths turned the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix into a tragedy that the whole world saw live.
29.04.1994, 13:14
Ayrton Senna, in his rookie season with the Williams, completes his fastest qualifying lap when fellow countryman Jordan's Rubens Barrichello hits the fence at 225 km/h. Having come to his senses, Barrichello was the first to see Senna rushing towards him. Barrichello escaped with minor injuries, but Ayrton cried: the racer's nerves were already on edge due to the unpredictable behavior of his new car.
30.04.1994, 13:18
Ayrton in the paddock is trying to find the optimal settings for the naughty car, when the track is transmitted: Roland Ratzenberger from Simtek at a speed of 314.9 km / h flew into the wall. Senna covers his face with his hands - Roland experienced the same handling problems and complained to the mechanics: "The car does this!" The death of the rider on the track meant the cancellation of the Grand Prix, but Roland's death is fixed already in the hospital, so the race can take place.
01.05.1994. 14:00
Eyewitnesses say they have never seen Senna so depressed. The start of the race added to the negative: Benetton's Jurvi-Järvi Lehto stalled and Lotus' Pedro Lamy flew into him; the blow was so strong that the torn off wheel flew into the podium, 9 people were injured. While debris was being cleared from the track, a safety car pulled out in front of the leading Senna.
On the morning of that day, Ayrton had already complained to the organizers that, due to the slow pace of movement of this Opel Vectra, the tires of the fireballs cooled down, which had a bad effect on traction. But the rules have not been changed, and the first five laps of the cars go for Opel. When the safety car left the track, Senna revved - and after a lap and a half, at a speed of 300 km / h, his car was torn off the trajectory in the Tamburello turn. One of the brightest stars in the history of the "Formula" went out forever.
What caused the accident: a “raw” car, cold rubber, a tube that was welded into the steering mechanism to provide Senna with a more comfortable fit, or a pilot error is still not known for sure.
What would you change in Formula 1?
I don't know... I think the job of a racer is not only to drive a car, but also to be able to adapt to the new rules in racing. I would just like to always remember these rules, whatever they may be. So that if suddenly in the race I lost contact with the engineer, I myself knew what I could do and what not.
Anton Ivanov, Kirill Vishnepolsky, Paul Wilson
gettyimages.ru, East News, fotodom.ru, Diomedia, Mercedes AMG Petronas
- Free races are held for three sessions, Friday for 1.5 hours, Saturday for 1 hour. As a rule, two sessions are held on Friday, one - on Saturday, before qualification. At the Monaco Grand Prix, the first 2 sessions are held on Thursday, and the last, as usual, on Saturday. During free races, riders drive through the track in a free, comfortable mode for them to get acquainted with the track and set up the car.
- To participate in the race, the driver must participate (i.e. at least drive 1 lap) in at least one session of free practice.
Qualification
Over the long history of Formula 1, the qualifying format has changed several times. All formats used in Formula 1 can be viewed in the Formula 1 Qualification article.
Qualification is held on Saturday and consists of sessions. The first session lasts 20 minutes. The second session is shorter - 15 minutes. The third is the shortest - 10 minutes. During each session, the pilot can drive as many laps as he wants and has time. The lap with the shortest time will count.
- All pilots participate in the first session. They drive an arbitrary number of laps. For each pilot, the best lap time is selected and the last 5 pilots are eliminated from the fight for the starting position, taking places from 16th to 20th.
- The remaining 15 pilots take part in the second session, again passing circles in an arbitrary mode. Again, 5 pilots are eliminated, showing the worst time at the end of this session. They take places from 11th to 15th.
- The third session is attended by 10 pilots who showed the best lap times in the second session. They compete with each other on the same terms as before. The best lap times are again compared to determine the top 10 drivers at the start of the race.
This procedure is applicable in case of participation of 20 cars, if 22 cars participate, then after the first and second session six participants are excluded. If there are 24 cars, then after the first and second sessions, seven participants are eliminated each.
In the first and second sessions pilots can drive qualifying laps with any amount of fuel in the tanks. The cars eliminated after the first two sessions are then refueled with the fuel they will start the race with. Drivers starting in the third session must be fueled for the race before leaving for their first attempt. At the end of qualifying, these cars must not be topped up with fuel. After qualifying, the cars are sent to a closed park, that is, before the start of the race, you cannot significantly change its settings, refuel or “change shoes” into another set of tires. After the end of the session, the FIA announces the results of the control weighing of the cars, and thus the teams and spectators can judge how much fuel the rivals have on board.
If the stewards impose penalties on the pilots or the team in the form of deprivation of several places at the start, these penalties are applied immediately before the start of the race, that is, the qualification passes without taking them into account.
Race
- The race is held on Sunday, from 14:00 local time in European countries and later in Asian countries and Australia, so that the broadcast in Europe does not fall too early in the morning. During the race, the pilots must drive a number of laps, which is predetermined based on the length of the circle of the autodrome. The number of laps is selected so that the total distance of the race is equal to or at least exceeds 305 km (with the exception of 260 km at the Monaco Grand Prix). In this case, the race cannot last more than two hours. This means that if the leader does not cover the entire distance of the race in 2 hours, then after 2 hours the lap on which the riders are currently located will be announced last.
- 15 minutes before the warm-up lap of the race, the cars must leave the pit lane and take their places on the starting grid according to the results of the qualification. On the starting grid, the cars may be serviced by team personnel, but 15 seconds before the warm-up lap of the race, everyone except the drivers sitting in the cars must leave the starting area.
- At the signal of a traffic light, the pilots must pass the warm-up lap, during which they are not allowed to overtake each other. The warm-up lap is mainly used to warm up the tire, thus improving its racing performance. At the end of the warm-up lap, the cars line up again on the starting grid and, after a traffic light signal, start the race in combat mode.
- During the race, a team may use any number of pit stops to refuel the car and/or change tires. The number of pit stops and how they will be distributed during the race determines the strategy of the race. Often a good strategy can lead to the superiority of a weaker machine over a stronger one. Most often, teams spend from 1 to 3 pit stops for each car, depending on the track and the chosen strategy. But in unforeseen situations, the number of pit stops can increase many times over. This may be due to a malfunction or damage to the car, or to sudden changes in weather conditions. In the latter case, the car often not only changes tires, but also adjusts the angles of attack of the rear wings. In case of damage to the car at the pit stop, some of its parts can be replaced, such as the front fairing with a wing, steering wheel, etc.
- When entering the pit lane, the rider must reduce the speed to 100 km/h (on free races up to 60 km/h). This is due to both safety issues and the fact that sometimes the path through the pit lane is shorter than the path along the track. At the pit stop, the pilot stops in front of the pits of his team. At this point, the mechanics simultaneously fill up the car, change tires and make other necessary modifications. At the time of the pit stop, the teamwork in Formula 1 is especially noticeable: the mechanics act quickly and smoothly, usually a pit stop takes less than 10 seconds.
- At the end of the race, the first 8 pilots, as well as their teams, receive points according to the 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 system. Pilots who take first, second and third places rise to the podium and receive cups. A representative of the winning team also receives the cup. In honor of the winner, the anthem of his country is played, and then the anthem of the country for which the winning team plays. This is followed by a traditional champagne shower: the pilots douse each other with champagne, congratulating each other on a successful Grand Prix. In Bahrain, a non-alcoholic carbonated drink is used instead of champagne, due to Islamic restrictions.
- In exceptional cases, when the continuation of the competition threatens the life or health of the pilots, the race may be stopped ahead of schedule. At the same time, a red flag is posted on the track. The issue of resuming the race in this case is decided by the Grand Prix Directorate. If the race is not restarted and the riders have covered 75% of the distance by this point, then the finishing order is considered to be the order of places that existed two laps before the race was stopped (i.e. if the leader is overtaken on the last or penultimate lap, then the overtaking driver will not be declared the winner, see for example the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix incident). If, by the time the race is stopped, the riders have not covered 75% of the distance, and the race is not resumed, then the riders receive half of their points.
- 1st place - 10 points
- 2nd place - 8 points
- 3rd place - 6 points
- 4th place - 5 points
- 5th place - 4 points
- 6th place - 3 points
- 7th place; - 2 points
- 8th place - 1 points
Scoring system
Each Formula 1 season is a competition for drivers for the World Championship and teams for the Constructors' Championship. Throughout the season, the points scored by the pilot at the Grand Prix are added to the points that he already has on his account. The team receives for each race all the points scored by both of its pilots. At the end of the season, points are calculated and winners in both nominations are revealed.
For the race, the first 8 pilots receive points if they are in the final classification. If the race was stopped for any reason and the riders drove more than 50% of the distance, half points are awarded, if the pilots covered more than 75% of the entire distance, the race is considered over and full points are awarded.
- The scoring system is as follows:
In the event of a tie in points, the overall victory goes to the rider/team with the most wins.
Many fans of watching Formula 1 races do not really know what exactly the rules of these races include. The definition of the sport in question has a technical and general side.
In the first case, Formula 1 is a list of technical norms, as well as requirements and rules in accordance with which the organization and holding of the world championship takes place. Corrects, supplements and changes the rules of the International Automobile Federation - FIA. It serves as the main governing body for all racing sports at the world level. The rules of the competition, first of all, are aimed at the maximum guarantee of the safety of pilots, racers, as well as fans in the stands. In addition, the priority is to ensure the development of motorsport, so that racing does not look like an elite and exotic sport.
In a general sense, the discipline in question is the World Championship in circuit racing. Its draw takes place every year and consists of stages or Grand Prix. Based on the results of each season, winning places are awarded in the individual and group classifications. The leader in the individual rating receives the honorary title of world champion, and the team receives the Constructors' Cup.
Peculiarities
The considered racing discipline with centralized scoring has been carried out since the fifties of the last century.
Formula 1 belongs to the world's elite circuit racing. In this regard, she is often referred to as the "queen of motorsport". Racing drivers who have reached the top in this discipline are known to the entire world community.
The worldwide popularity of auto racing is due to several reasons:
- State-of-the-art developments and technical innovations in Formula 1 make its race cars the fastest cars, subject to the restrictions set by special regulations;
- This sport is one of the most expensive on the planet. Teams and their sponsors annually spend tens, if not hundreds of millions, a large part of which goes to the impressive fees of the pilots;
- Universal popularity. In different parts of the world, tens of millions of fans watch every Grand Prix, and there are hundreds of thousands of fans on the tracks.
Below are the basic principles on which the "queen of motorsport" is based.
Calendar
Formula 1 has its own calendar, consisting of several races (Grand Prix). They are held in completely different countries, where there is a suitable track, equipped according to all the requirements of the rules. The average number of stages is 15 to 20 per year. The first race is traditionally held in March, the last stage ends in mid-autumn.
The calendar of the World Championship of racing competitions is developed by the FIA and replicated 12 months before the start of the next season. The owners of the autodromes personally draw up contracts with representatives of Formula 1 to host the Grand Prix. It is not surprising that the acceptance of the stage of the world-famous race significantly raises the status of the track.
The Grand Prix
One team for each stage can enter a maximum of two pilots. The season limit for riders for each team is four people.
Grand Prix is divided into several disciplines, namely:
- Free practice. The session consists of three parties. Two of them, one and a half hours long, take place on Thursday or Friday, the third hour-long series starts on Saturday morning. These races are focused on preparing pilots and teams for the next stages. In fact, there is an acquaintance with the track, adjustment of the car settings and selection of a suitable strategy;
- Qualification. This series of races is designed to determine the starting positions of the pilots in the race. The series under consideration consists of three parts: 20, 15 and 10 minutes each. All racers participate in the first race, the second part is waiting for the best 16 pilots. The following leaders from 1st to 10th places go through the third series. The winner of the qualification takes pole position, which means he starts the race from first place;
- The race is the final and most important stage of any Grand Prix. Sunday is usually chosen as the day of the event. At the starting position, all participants line up on a straight line in the order, which is determined depending on the qualifying results and penalties. On average, the length of the race is 300 kilometers, and the number of laps varies from 50 to 70. The rules state that refueling of the racing car is not allowed during the race. Also, all pilots are required to make a check-in for at least one pit stop. This is due to the fact that, according to the regulations, two types of rubber must be used during the race.
Start and finish
Before the start of the racers, the red signals go out, two green traffic lights turn on, the fireballs go for a half-minute warm-up lap, after which the green lights go out. Cars line up at starting positions with engines running. All pairs of red light elements flash for five seconds. After a second, they deactivate simultaneously, indicating the start of the race.
A false start is fraught with 10 seconds of a pit stop. If there is a canceled start, red lights are turned on. Flashing orange lights indicate that the start is being delayed when the cars are warming up but not yet in the race. Due to weather conditions, the start may be delayed indefinitely, for example, if it started to rain 5 minutes before the start of the race.
Finishes the leading driver of Formula 1 after the wave of the checkered flag. The riders following him also finish the race and leave for a special park for sludge. If the flag is displayed earlier or later than expected, the race is considered completed, and the athlete is awarded the results of the penultimate lap.
The colors of the flags in the race are varied, each of the shades has its own meaning (from indicating a danger on the track to issuing a warning to the rider).
In order to increase safety, the modern Formula 1 race is additionally equipped with anti-crash and protective systems. The fireballs are equipped with safety arcs, the sidewalls of the hull are made more elevated, the rider's equipment consists of non-combustible materials. A special design of the protection of the neck-head department is used. In order to jump out of the car in an emergency, the pilot is given 5 seconds, during which he must have time to remove the steering wheel, seat belts, and then put the steering wheel back in the same time.
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