At Formula One races, the drivers get to control some of the fastest racing vehicles in the entire world. These cars are developed by expert engineers from well-known corporations. Their designs focus on speed and aerodynamic efficiency. However, these cars must follow several rules to maintain a level of fairness.
These rules change over time, forcing new cars to be made. For instance, in 2017, the front and rear wings, as well as the tyres, had to be wider than before. In 2019, the performance of engines was limited to 15000 rpm. The Formula One cars of today are much more reliant on electronic technology than their past incarnations. In 2008, there was a ban on several driving aids.
Europe has traditionally been the main base for Formula One. However, over the years there has been an expansion which has seen events being held all over the world. Countries that run Formula One teams often see an economic surge, thanks to the number of employees needed to maintain them. It costs at least £100 million to run a racing team, as well as requiring a wide range of workers who design, build and transport the cars.
Danger of Crashes
Due to the high speed which these cars travel at, a crash can be potentially devastating. Since the 1950s until the present day, dozens of professional drivers have lost their lives while on Formula One circuits.
Perhaps the most high profile death of this sort was Brazilian racer, Ayrton Senna who suffered fatal injuries at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. After his accident, significant changes were made to racing protocols. Thanks to these, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of Formula One deaths. Today, even minor crashes are relatively rare. Better engineering means that drivers stand a much better chance if the car flips or hits a wall.