Ever since the sport of Formula One began in the 1950's, peril has been infused into every part of F1 racing. The main difference between F1 racing and other professional races are the tracks. Most other tracks are simple oval designs that allow gradual turns. The dangerous part of F1 racing is the sharp left and right turns that drivers must make. Also, even those the tracks are closed-circuit, if a driver hasn't practiced sufficiently, the differences of a new track could mean disaster.

Many measures have been put into place to offset the dangers in F1 racing. The earlier of those measures added has been the addition of the helmet for drivers. In the 1970's and 80's, F1 racing helmets started to be designed for drivers. This accessory is necessary considering the lack of protection of the open cockpit. Another helpful safety invention has been head and neck supports. The head and neck support system was put in place to prevent whiplash, which is one of the most common F1 racing injuries. The cockpit, or monocoque of the car, has also been strengthened in recent years to withstand a serious accident. These compartments are made of strong carbon fibre.

A very real danger in F1 racing is on track hazards. Stalled cars, accidents and debris can all mean disaster if a driver is unaware of their existence. Different colored flags are waved during F1 races to indicate certain things. A yellow flag being waved indicates that a car will need to slow down. The driver is also not allowed to overtake another car after seeing this flag. A red flag signifies the premature end of the race, whether temporarily or for good. Finally, a red and yellow striped flag being waved can indicate slippery conditions on a track. There are many other colored flags that guide and warn drivers of the dangers in F1 races.

The safety car has been added to the sport of F1 racing as well. This car keeps the pace of the race going by leading the drivers around the track. This is usually necessary when a hazard has been detected on the track or if a car becomes disabled.

Many technological advances have been made as of late to ensure the safety of F1 drivers. The dangers in F1 racing are always going to exist and persist, so it's important for the industry to respond to those dangers. Safety in Formula One can be easy to attain; even while maintaining the exciting edge of speed and maneuvering.

Formula One racing as it is today evolved from European Grand Prix racing of the early 1900s. Although it is still considered a European sport, more of each season's World Championship events are held at locations outside of Europe than in Europe itself. The top Formula One racing teams do have European home bases.

Formula One racing is the most regulated in all of auto racing. Restrictions are placed on every component of the vehicles. Constructors must be innovative in order to build a vehicle that will out-perform the other Formula One racing cars and yet meet all the FIA (International Automobile Federation) guidelines.

The dangerous conditions of high speed racing led FIA to institute detailed safety regulations that impact every aspect from vehicle construction to the type of fabric used to create the driver's clothing.

Each race is held at a different location. Some locations have traditionally always been part of Formula One racing. Monte Carlo is the perfect example. The Monaco Grand Prix held at Monte Carlo has become synonymous with Formula One racing because it is always part of the series. Originally Formula One racing Grand Prix were held on closed public streets and the Monaco Grand Prix continues to follow this tradition. Newer venues around the world, like the one at Bahrain, are held on tracks that have been designed specifically to meet the needs of Formula One racing. Teams must transport their vehicles, equipment and spare parts to each race.

A Formula One racing team may enter up to two drivers and cars into each race. FIA has written guidelines regarding how the cars are painted. Both of a team's cars are similar in appearance but distinguishable.

The World Championship season in Formula One racing lasts from early spring through fall each year. Races are three-day events with qualifying and testing run on Friday and Saturday. Qualification runs are timed sessions. Starting position is based on performance during these qualification sessions.

A race day in Formula One racing is a loud, fast-paced, high-energy time for drivers, teams and spectators. The race consists of multiple laps around the circuit. This is true whether the race is held on public streets or on a racetrack. A special area alongside of the track is designated as the pit area. The pits are where teams perform work on their cars. Every car will need fuel added and tires replaced during the race. Additional parts will also need to be repaired or replaced. Pit crews are well known for their speed.

Formula One racing marshals use flags to communicate to drivers during a race. In addition to the flags, a GPS system in each car indicates any current flag waving for the section of track the car is on at the time.

Formula One racing awards a World Championship title on one driver and one team each season. At the end of each race the top drivers are awarded points based on their final ranking. Teams earn points for each of the two cars they have entered in the race. At the end of the season the driver and team with the most points are declared World Champions.

In Formula One racing "clean air" does not refer to fresh or filtered air. Clean air is the term used to refer to the air encountered by the head car in a race. The turbulence caused by the cars has not yet touched this air. It offers the best aerodynamic conditions for the drivers. Clean air is a benefit of leading the race.

Near the end of a race a driver may realize he does not have enough fuel to complete the race. The driver will then "splash and dash". A splash and dash simply means that the driver enters the pits and the pit crew put only the small amount of gasoline needed to finish the race in his tank rather than to fill the tank. The driver gets a splash of gas and then dashes off for the finish.

In Formula One racing a driver may be given a "stop-go penalty". This penalty requires the driver to stop at his pit area for ten seconds and then return to the race. The vehicle may not receive fuel or tires during this stop. It is a time-out penalty with the time spent in the pit. An alternative to the stop-go is the "drive-through penalty". The drive-through penalty differs from the stop-go in that the driver need not stop in the pit area but simply drive through the pits at the appropriate speed.

"Stewards" are the three highest-ranking officials at a Formula One racing Grand Prix. They are responsible for making decisions about the race and the drivers. The "marshals" are the officials in charge of making certain the race is run safely. They are responsible for spectator safety, helping with disabled cars, dealing with fires. Formula One racing marshals are most often visible waving signal flags at the drivers.

During a Formula One racing weekend teams keep their motor homes and transporters in an area referred to as the "paddock". This area is off limits to the public. Another restricted area is the "parc ferme". Parc Ferme refers to a special fenced-off area where cars are required to be once they complete qualifying and the race. Team members are not allowed to touch the cars to prevent any changes. During a race the Formula One racing team and their equipment are located in the "pits". Drivers pull their cars into their team's area of the pit for refueling, tire changes or any other type of repair that needs to be done to the vehicle.

The "pit wall" area of the Formula One racing track provides a place for team managers, owners and engineers to monitor the race. The "chicane" may be unfamiliar to new Formula One racing fans. Chicane refers to a section of track that is designed to slow cars down using a series of corners that alternate directions. The chicane is an import safety design feature of Formula One racing tracks.

Terms used in Formula One racing are not commonly understood. An introduction to the terms and their meaning will help you understand the sport of Formula One racing.

The specifications as well as the standards for F1 engines have changed many times since F1 races first began. One hundred bhp per litre was the expected output of a F1 engine over fifty years ago. Some fluctuations in output occurred since then. Now, the standard output is closer to 300 bhp per litre using a 2.4 litre V8 engine. Engines today can use 650 litres of air per second. In a race, the modern engine will use about 75 litres for each 100 kilometers.

It's tempting to think that regular car engines bare any resemblance to the modern day F1 engine. Unfortunately, regular cars aren't capable of the same speed with typical car engines. Since reducing drag is a very important part of this sport, engines are built much smaller than normal car engines. Formula one engines also take up less space.

Gearboxes are another feature attached to F1 engines. The gears are typically housed behind the steering wheel to make driving a lot less taxing for the driver in terms of his attention. Seven speed gearboxes are most common now. Transmissions on an F1 engine are connected straight to the engine and utilize electronic controls.

The type of energy, or fuel, that's put into an engine isn't really an important factor for F1 engines. In fact, normal gasoline is used on the track to refuel cars. The gasoline is similar to that bought at a local gas station. The only time fuel really becomes an important part of an F1 engines' life is during diagnostics. Mechanics on a team look in the leftover fuel and oil left in the engine to see what metals appear there. This demonstrates the rate of which the engine is being worn.

The FIA, standing for Federation of International Automobiles, in an effort to curb illegal rigging of F1 engines, has put in place penalties for those who create expensive, wear and tare engines. Since 2005, the FIA has will give a penalty of ten places in a race if a teams' engine fails to make it through two grand prix.

The modern F1 engine is an amazing piece of machinery. With almost 5,000 parts composing the whole engine, it's not hard to see how expensive one really is. The speed and power that race cars are able to achieve are due in part to the 20,000 revolutions that the engine can make every minute. Formula one engines have come a long way and with their continuing evolutions, so too will evolve the sport closed track racing.

During the early years of auto racing in Europe, rules (formulas) were instituted to create standards for cars and drivers. These rules challenged the racecar builders, known as constructors, to develop safer and better performing cars. Prior to World War II plans had been set for a World Championship among Grand Prix organizations. Because racing was suspended during the war, the first Formula One World Championship was not held until 1950. Giuseppe Farina won the first Formula One World Championship at Silverstone, England. During the first years the championship title was given only to drivers. Since 1958 an additional championship title has been awarded to a constructor. The award for the drive and the award for the constructor are awarded independently.

The World Champion title for Formula One racing is determined by a point system. The eight top drivers and their teams in each Grand Prix race are given points based on their finishing position. The top winner and his team each receive 10 points. The remaining seven winners and their teams receive 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 point. Because most teams have two cars in each race a team may receive points for each car if they both finish in the top eight. The driver and the team with the most points each are declared the World Champion. In case of a point tie, the driver or team with the most number of Grand Prix wins during the season wins the award.

Today Formula One racing and World Championship racing are interchangeable terms. World Championship races have always followed Formula One regulations. Prior to 1984, however, there were Formula One races that did not count toward the World Championship. As the expense of participating in Formula One racing increased it became more difficult to compete in non-world championship events. The final non-championship event was held in 1983.

Technical advances in recent years have caused a dramatic increase in the cost of Formula One racing competition. Additionally, all Formula One racing World Champions since 1984 have been sponsored by major auto manufacturers. Independent racing teams struggle to afford the technical advances without major funding. Formula One racing has lost 28 teams and continuing financial stresses are likely to eliminate additional teams. Formula One racing is an expensive and exclusive sport and has evolved into a big business marketing competition as well as a competitive sport. Recently new teams owned by auto manufacturers have begun to join Formula One racing, taking the place of the independent teams.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) regulates Formula One racing today. The Formula One racing season lasts from early spring through fall. Races are held at circuits in Europe and around the world in places like China, Australia and Brazil. The 2007 Formula One racing schedule lists 17 races around the world. Formula One racing continues to reach a wider audience. New Grand Prix locations are planned. The future of Formula One racing looks as solid as the past.

Successful Formula One racing requires specially designed vehicles. A Formula One racing team includes engineers and designers who create innovative ways to improve racecar design, safety and speed. These engineers and designers require computers and testing equipment. In addition, new design ideas must be custom created prior to vehicle testing. Vehicles must be track tested to determine whether a new design feature will work. Aerodynamic design features require wind tunnel testing which adds an additional expense to the design-testing program.

Safety concerns and FIA regulations require specially formulated fabrics to be used in the making of Formula One racing overalls, helmets and portions of the racecar.

The maintenance and repair of the two Formula One racing vehicles is also an expensive part of racing. Racecar engines are required to last for an entire race weekend but are replaced before each weekend. Each racecar will require multiple tire replacements during a race. Specially formulated fuel is required to operate the racecars. Multiple replacement parts for every portion of the Formula One racing vehicle need to be on hand at each circuit to prepare the car for the race.

Because Formula One World Championship races are held at circuits around the world travel and transportation budgets are high for Formula One racing teams. At European races allow the team to transport their cars, equipment, motor homes and kitchen equipment by truck convoy. Circuits outside of Europe require that most of the same items be transported by jumbo jet with fees charged for excess weight. Formula One racing teams must also pay transportation, food and lodging expenses for all the necessary teams members who participate in the race.

A Formula One racing team also consists of many behind the scenes employees who coordinate travel, handle publicity and perform other vital tasks. The number of team members required to operate a winning Formula One racing team results in an expensive payroll budget.

A new team considering joining Formula One racing has another expense to consider. A $47 million up-front payment to FIA is required from any new team that wishes to enter the Formula One World Championship. This deposit is repaid to the team throughout the race season.

During the 1990s technological advances caused a sharp increase in the cost of Formula One racing competition. Teams funded by large auto manufacturers had the advantage of deeper pockets as well as corporately supplied parts. As a result most independent teams were unable to maintain a competitive edge. Twenty-eight teams have left Formula One racing since 1990 as a result of the inability to match the financial resources for corporately funded teams.

The popularity of Formula One racing creates interest from corporate sponsors looking for a high-profile sport with plenty of merchandising opportunities. Sponsorships work as an income source that Formula One racing teams can use to offset their increasing expenses. Continued popularity of the sport is certain to result in additional sponsorships in the future. As the cost of Formula One racing continues to increase teams will look for new and innovative sources of income.

Each Formula One racing event is a three-day event held on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The exception to this is at the Monaco Grand Prix. In Monte Carlo Friday practices are moved to Thursday. Each driver is allowed two practices on Friday and one on Saturday. A team may use three drivers on Friday but only two cars.

Friday and Saturday mornings are designated as practice times in Formula One racing. The Practice sessions are held prior to the start of qualifying sessions. Following the practice session a qualifying session is held. The Formula One racing qualifying sessions are used to determine starting positions for the race. Multiple sessions are run using a knockout system. Each round eliminates the slowest six drivers. The first six eliminated are the final six in the starting line-up. The six eliminated in the next round are the second to final six and so on.

On race day the cars enter the track for a warm-up formation lap. Drivers use this lap to place their car in the correct starting line-up position. If a driver is delayed because of equipment issues he may start the race from the pit re-entry lane but only after all the other cars have passed.

In Formula One racing the race is started using a light grid installed about the starting line. The race itself is just over 190 miles long. The number of laps required for a race varies by venue based on the length of the track. A race may last for a maximum of two hours in Formula One racing. The average race is usually only about ninety minutes long.

During the race drivers will return to the pit area for tire changes, re-fueling and equipment maintenance as needed. Spectators are not allowed in the pit areas. Work is fast and furious while cars are in the pits and safety is a top priority.

Spectators at Formula One racing events will notice the race marshals communicating with drivers using flags. Drivers know the meaning of each flag. Some are used to indicate a safety issue on the track, others warn a driver of unacceptable behavior. Most well known is the checkered flag that is waved when a race is completed.

At the conclusion of a race the top eight drivers and their teams receive points. In Formula One racing the number of points received ranges from 10 to 1. The top driver and his team each receive 10 points, the number two driver and his team each receive 8 points. Because each Formula One racing team is able to enter two cars in a race, a team may earn points from two winning drivers. The top point earning driver and the top point earning team are recognized at World Champions at the end of the Formula One racing season. The points won at each Formula One racing weekend are important to the overall season results.

Formula One racing weekends are a fun-filled and exciting time for teams and spectators alike.

Formula One racing developed out of the early 1900s European Grand Prix racing. Early Grand Prix racing had a "formula" of rules for drivers and their vehicles. Following World War II an even stricter formula was developed. This new formula was referred to as Formula One, indicating that it was number one as far as being the most challenging set of rules to follow. The first Formula One World Championship race was held in England in 1950. Italian Giuseppe Farina holds the title of First World Champion Formula One driver. He won driving an Alfa Romeo. Formula One World Championships are now awarded in two divisions, one for the driver and one for the constructor, or builder, of the racecar.

Europe is home to Formula One racing. Over the years the Formula One racing venues have expanded around the globe. The circuit now includes races in Bahrain, Shanghai and Fiji as well as the more traditional locations of Monte Carlo and Magny-Cours. Less than half of the 2007 season Formula One races will be held in Europe. The Formula One racing season lasts from March through October each year.

Typically Formula One racing circuits consist of at least one straight stretch of road. This stretch is home to the starting grid for the race. The remainder of the track contains a series of curves and turns. Most of the races are run in a clockwise direction. Multiple laps of the circuit are required to complete the race. The 305-kilometer Formula One race takes 1 to 2 hours to complete. Currently Grand Prix Formula One races are held on circuits specifically designed for Formula One racing. Formula One racing continues to be held on street circuits including Montreal, Melbourne and the Circuit de Monaco. Street courses are popular but are not considered to meet the high safety standards required for Formula One racing.

Formula One racecars are built following strict standards for weight, safety and design. The cars used for Formula One racing are a cross between modern automotive design and the aerodynamic feature of a jet airplane. Formula One racing reaches speeds of over 220 miles per hour. Because the cars are designed to be lightweight their aerodynamics are designed to create a downforce that holds them to the pavement. Despite the advanced design, Formula One racing relies on fuel nearly identical to regular automotive gasoline.

Formula One racing draws fans from around the world. Television broadcasting of Formula One racing reaches over 200 countries and millions of viewers. This surge in race fans has made Formula One racing popular with sponsors who view their investment in the racing teams as a marketing/merchandising expense.

Formula One racing sets the standard for motor sports. It has a long history and continues to grow and change as the sport evolves.

Michael Schumacher is a seven time Formula One World Champion and according to the official Formula One website is statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. He is known for his controversial driving. Michael Schumacher won two Formula One World Championships with Benetton and five more with Ferrari. He holds many reconds that are waiting to be broken with Formula One. Some of these titles are race victories, pole positons, and fastest laps.

Juan Manuel Fangio began racing long before the start of Formula One. He was racing on the deadly Argentine tracks that seemed more concerned with thrilling the fans than the start of the drivers. Juan Manuel Fangio went to Europe to begin his Formula One career in 1947. He won two Formula One World Championships in 1951 and 1955 before his career to a downward turn when he was indirectly involved in the accident that killed 83 spectators. He went on to live to 1995 but his career had never recovered.

Ayrton Senna Monaco made his way into the Formula One racing world in 1984. He held the record for most pole positions until 12 years after his death in 1994. Ayrton Monaco was the formula One World Champion in 1988, 1990, and 1991. He was killed in an accident as he was leading the race at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.

Stirling Moss is a Formula One racing pioneer that never won a championship in his 14 year career. From 1948 until 1962 he was creating an excellent effort with numerous wins and pole positions but new quite was able to seal the deal. Aside from his Formula One racing career he was Knighted in 2000 as Sir Stirling Moss.

Nigel Mansell's Formula One racing career began in 1980 and lasted until 1992 when he took a brat to run in the CART Indycar World Series. He returned to Formula One for a brief 2 year return in 1994 and 1995 for a total of six races. Nigel Mansell was the Formula One World Champion in 1992 and finished second in 1986, 1987, and 1991.

Jackie Stewart is a Scottish Formula One driver that was nicknamed The Flying Scot. This now Formula One team owner had won three World Championships from 1965 to 1973. After receiving Rookie of the Year Honors in 1966 he won the Formula One World Championship in 1969, 1971, and 1973. With commentator and consultant for Ford Motor Company also under his career belt, Jackie Stewart also appeared in a UPS commercial to get Dale Jarrett "to drive the Big Brown Truck" in 2002 and 2003.

This just touches base on a few of the great names of Formula One. As you can see it is not necessarily about how many championships they won, but also on how they played the game.

For example, Mike Thackwell, 19, holds the record as the youngest Formula One racing driver. The 1980 Dutch Grand Prix was his first Formula One race. At the other end of the age record spectrum is Louis Chiron who entered the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix at 58 years old. A study of the oldest and youngest Formula One racing competitors shows that all of the oldest record holders entered races during the 1950s. Today the sport is so physically challenging that drivers begin Formula One racing at a younger age and retire by their mid-30s.

Another change in Formula One racing is apparent in the statistics surrounding the most wins in a season. The record holder for the most wins in a Formula One racing season is Michael Schumacher with 13 wins in the 2004 season. Schumacher also holds the most wins record for 2002, 2001, 2000, 1995 and 1994. His 1994 record was for winning eight of the 16 races he entered which gives him a winning percentage of 50%

In contrast, Alberto Ascari holds the Formula One racing record for the highest percentage of wins in a season. In the 1952 season Ascari won only six races. Those six wins, however, earn him a winning percentage of 75% for the Formula One racing events that he entered. Of the top ten record holders for highest percentage of wins in a Formula One racing season, seven of those drivers won six or less races in a season. All seven of those are for pre-1970 Formula One racing seasons.

The comparison of these statistics indicates a change in Formula One racing seasons. Early Formula One racing drivers entered fewer races than drivers today because fewer Grand Prix were part of the racing season.

Formula One racing has always relied on a point system for determining the title of World Champion at the end of a season. The point system has gone through changes over the years and that becomes most apparent in the statistics for the most championship points earned during a season. In the early years of Formula One racing points were awarded only to the top five finishers and the maximum point value was eight (with one bonus point awards for the fastest lap). By contrast, today's point system allows for a maximum of ten points and points are awarded to the top eight teams.

The changes to the point systems, especially when combined with the increased number of Grand Prix per season are reflected in the statistics for the drivers with the most points accumulated during a season. In tenth place for this record is Nigel Mansell with 108 points earned during the 1992 season. The remaining top ten record holders have all been from Formula One racing seasons since 2000. Michael Schumacher currently holds first place in this category with 148 points earned during the 2004 season. The current point systems makes it impossible for early Formula One racing drivers to win a top spot in this category.

Changes are necessary in most sports as they evolve but Formula One racing has had many changes through the years. These changes are necessary to keep the sport competitive and the impact of the changes are shown in the records of Formula One racing.