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Top 25 Interesting Facts on Formula One

Formula One is a renowned racing motor sport that has always quenched the thirst of speed lovers. Being a epitome of style and glamour, this motor sport is know as the richest sports that involves a huge investment.

In this race all the participants of a team and cars taking part in the sport have to follow some specified set of rules and regulations related to the engine technology, suspension system, tyres, electronics, structure, and participant's physical fitness.

Until 1984, there was no formula for motor racing. The first motor race was organized somewhere in 1900 from Paris to Rouen. The racing cars during that period were two-seater so that an associate can accompany the driver in the race to warn him of any probable risk. Gradually, the two-seater car was transformed into a single-seater racing car with improved engines, suspension, and technologies. Thereafter, various rules and regulations were introduced for designing and manufacturing racing cars. These specified set of rules gave a new term to motor racing, that we all today know as the Formula One Race.

Adored by many sports enthusiasts around the world, this sport has several hidden interesting facts behind the track. These facts unveils a variety of striking information on the history of F1, participants of the race, and the technologies of F1 cars that are very idiosyncratic and different from the normal cars.

Here are top 25 interesting facts on Formula One:

The ‘FIA Formula-One’ World Championship initiated in 1950 with the first race held on 13th May 1950 at ‘Silverstone’ Tracks in the U.K.
The Monza is believed to be the fastest circuit of Formula One with the highest speed record of 375 km/h.
F1 cars are powered with advanced engine technologies that give them the power to accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h and back to 0 km/h in just seven seconds.
Brakes of F1 cars take about 55 metres and 1.9 seconds to bring the car to standstill even on applying full pressure.
F1 cars are composed of about 80,000 components. These are to be designed with 100% accuracy and if in case there is an inaccuracy of even 0.1%, these cars are not allowed to go on the racing track.
F1 car engines are composed of about 5000 components that together generate 750 bhp and have a life span of only one race.
Formula One chassis weighs about 35 kg and is the central structural element of these cars. These chassis are designed with engineering excellence to withstand powerful forces imposed from different directions.
Automatic gearbox is not used in the F1 cars. However, these days semi-automatic gearbox has become common that helps improve steering grip and ease of driving.
The brakes of F1 cars are derived from disc brakes that are comprised of carbon fibres to withstand high temperature of about 1000 degrees centigrade.
Over 1 kilometre of electric cable is used to connect about 100 sensors and actuators in the F1 cars. These linked sensors and actuators are required to monitor and control racing cars.
Weight of an F1 car is about 550 kg.
The fit in these cars is so tight that a driver has to remove the steering wheel to get in or out of the car.

Race car tyres usually are filled with nitrogen because it has more consistent pressure. Compressed air inflated tyres can hamper the performance of these cars due to the varying amount of water vapour present in it.
Tyres of these high-end racing cars have a shorter life cycle as they lose about 0.5 kg weight during one race.
Small aircrafts take off at a slower speed when compared to F1 cars. This is mainly because of the improved aerodynamic structure of these cars that generate incredible high downforce.
The braking power of an F1 car is exceptionally high. At a speed of around 340 kph, an F1 car can brake in less than 100 meters so that it can take a slow corner.
The re-fuelers used in F1 cars have a capacity of supplying 12 litres of fuel per second. This states that these cars take just 4 seconds to fill an oil tank of about 50 litres.
The front and rear wing of these racing cars generate good amount of downforce. These can even generate a downforce equal to that of the car’s weight when it reaches a speed of about 160 km/h.
When the tyre tread temperature reaches about 900C to 1200C, it delivers peak performance.
Emerson Fittipaldi of Brazil is the youngest F1 driver with an age of 25 years.
Michael Schumacher has won seven consecutive awards for being the world champion in F1 race.
Mike Thackwell from New Zealand is the youngest starter who started racing at an age of 19 years.
F1 drivers should be muscular enough to handle the increase in downforce that causes the effective weight of the car to be increased.
F1 car drivers burn approximately 600 kilocalories and lose about 2 kg of weight in one grand prix.
Soaring cockpit temperatures add to dehydration problems. Due to this, drivers are fed energy-giving drink in the course of race.