Formula One 2023 season starts in two week, are you exited? Here are some basic stuff you need to know if you are new to F1 and want to shine next to your F1 friends. Let’s go!
Formula One is a sport that is easy to fall for, you have fans all around the world. Thanks to F1 you can make many new international friends. That is also one of the reasons I made this blog. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, if you like cars since you were two or you just discovered F1 thanks to TikTok’s thirst traps of famous F1 drivers and now you want to know more about their job.
Let’s start with some basics:
What is Formula One?
Formula One is a series of races held all around the world at different venues.
The word “Formula” itself refers not only to the drivers but also engineers, mechanics, constructors and also rules, that everyone must follow.
Back in the days when motor racing began, there were no limitations on the size or power of the cars. This was the reason why the races were unequal and there were also many injuries sometimes even fatal. After WW2, FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Atomobile) came up with set of rules which set limits on the size and power of cars.
The world “One” stands for the grading FIA issues to the racing tracks, approved cars and the driver’s licences. It also distinguished the F1 from street racing and that it is the best and ultimate in car race sport.
What is FIA?
F1 is governed by FIA, it is non-profit organisation established in 1904 and represents the interest of motor car users and organisations. It takes care about races, so they are safe for drivers and also watchers. They make each season rules, which must be followed by teams and drivers.
What about the cars?
Let’s leave history and let’s take a look at the cars. F1 is all about cars, and drivers of course. Cars are aerodynamically design to provide resistance and cut through the air easily. They are indeed fascinating pieces and a lot of effort of each team goes into the construction. At the end of every season, there is Constructor’s Championship, where the best team gets price.
Cars drastically evolved through out the years, they are more safer and manoeuvrable and faster than 70 years ago, when F1 was at the beginning. The cars are improved by many electronics built into cars, that help driver take control of the cars, resulting in better speed and less accidents. F1 cars also still have open cockpits and wheels and are single seated.
What is important to know about those beautiful cars?
Well,...there is engine, which are since 2014 all same - 1.6 litres, V6 turbocharged engines. Don’t understand? Don’t worry, me neither, but let’s look at tires. There are big part of these machines. In F1 we have Pirelli tyres, who is official tyres supplier of FIA for Formula One. These tyres are built to last only between 60 - 120 km. That is the reason why cars have to make pit stops during races. Tyres are rated from C1 to C5, where C1s are the hardest tyres and C5s the softest.
What is pit stop?
About pit stops - you can change tyres but you can not refuel your car. Drivers have to make at least one pit stop, because the tyres can’t last the whole race. Pit stops are supposed to be as short as possible, but not always goes everything by plans. The average at pit stop is about 2 - 3 second. The quickest pit stop was 1.82 seconds, made by team Red Bull on Max Verstappen car in 2019. Will there be even fastest? Well you know what they say…never say never!
In my next entry, you will find out about the drivers, teams and circuits for 2023 and don’t let me forgot about some new terminology to shine in front of your friends.
See ya, and remember….Lights out and away we go!!
Natalie Kika
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