Formula 1 has few rivals as a global sporting spectacle. It provides excitement, glamour and dramatic action as the sport’s top teams and drivers all compete to be crowned as the best in the world. With over 350 million people in 200 countries watching each of the championship’s races, Formula 1 is the world’s biggest annual sport.
The aim of the sport is to race your car around the circuit (or track) quicker than your fellow competitors over a pre-set distance. The winner is deemed the driver who finishes first, past the infamous checkered-flag! However, winning a 'Grand Prix', (a Formula 1 race), is very much a team effort, and is down to a number of contributory factors;
- The skill of the driver - based on his judgment, courage and technical knowledge of the car.
- The speed and reliability of the car - motor manufacturers and independent constructors use their skills to pioneer new technologies to make their cars faster and more reliable than their competitors, to help the driver win his race.
- Tactics. Both the driver and the team will choose tactics for a race which they believe will increase their chances of winning. These tactics can range from tires the car is fitted with, to reactionary tactics the drivers will make during the race.
What makes up a Formula 1 Team?
Formula 1 racing combines cutting edge technology with the skill of the sportsman (i.e. the driver), the engineers and pit crew.
In its truest sense - man meets machine. Because of this unique partnership there are a number of components that make up a Formula 1 team. The basics are as follows;
The Driver
An important member of the team, who helps steer cars and spray Champagne (when necessary)!
The Car
Each car is built by a 'Constructor' who generally comprises of an engine manufacturer, a private technical team (i.e. Williams) who specialize in the sport of Formula 1 and a sponsor. The competition amongst the constructors is massive - as being able to build the quickest, safest and most reliable car, some argue, will get you a championship winning driver.
The Tires
Each constructor will make decisions about their race tires which will contribute to the winning formula of a fast car. Tires are chosen dependant on the weather conditions, and have been known to influence the outcome of the race.
What happens at a Grand Prix?
Qualifying and the Starting Grid
Each Grand Prix is raced on a Sunday, however there are 3 qualifying sessions on the Saturday prior to the Race to determine where the drivers start on the 'starting grid'. The aim of all drivers is to get up as high as they can on the starting grid - which will give you a better start to the race than those drivers behind.
1st Qualifying Session:
Each driver will race one lap. The outcome of this qualifying lap will determine who races in the 2nd qualifying session. The slowest 8 drivers will start the race in the last 8 positions, with the fastest starting in 16th position.
2nd Qualifying Session:
The remaining drivers will drive another qualifying lap, with the slowest 8 again being eliminated. They will then start the race in the next 8 positions, with the fastest driver starting in 11th.
3rd Qualifying Session:
The remaining 10 drivers will then drive a 3rd and final qualifying lap to determine the top 10 positions on the grid - the fastest taking pole.
If two or more drivers set the same time in any of the qualifying sessions their starting positions will be based on who set the time first.
The Starting Grid
The starting grid is a staggered row of two cars with 8m between the cars. The order of the starting grid is dictated by the qualifying times achieved in the Saturday qualifying sessions - fastest being pole position and slowest at the back of the grid.
The Race
The Grand Prix races over the course of the season will have varying lengths, which are roughly around 300km.
Pit Stops
Pit stops usually form part of the race tactics - the time saved in pit stops can frequently win races. The three key reasons a driver will make a pit stop will be to a) change tires b) repair damage to the wings or bodywork. Pit stops can be a very exciting element of a Grand Prix, as each constructor's set of mechanics race to service their drivers quicker than the competition.
How are Real Life Points Generated?
Driver's Championship
The top 10 drivers score points in the following way;
1st: 25 points
2nd: 18 points
3rd: 15 points
4th: 12 points
5th: 10 points
6th: 8 points
7th: 6 points
8th: 4 point
9th: 2 point
10th: 1 point
Constructor's Championship
Each constructor can have up to 2 cars racing at a Grand Prix. Constructors are awarded points based on the finishing placing of both cars. The points scoring is the same as that allocated to drivers, as follows;
1st: 25 points
2nd: 18 points
3rd: 15 points
4th: 12 points
5th: 10 points
6th: 8 points
7th: 6 points
8th: 4 point
9th: 2 point
10th: 1 point
The overall championship winners are deemed to be the driver or constructor who has amassed the most amount of points over the season.
Engine Championship
There is a great deal of competition between the engine manufacturers who supply the engines to the Formula 1 cars - which evolves into the unofficial 'Engine Championship'.
source: gpedition.speedfantasyracing.com
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