Formula One Origins
Declan Kennedy
| 01-07-2024
· Sport Team
The origin of motor racing dates back to 1894 when races had no restrictions on participating vehicles. The earliest races took place on public roads between cities, but many drivers lost their lives due to the extreme danger of these races.
Consequently, professional racing circuits emerged. It wasn't until 1904, with the establishment of the International Automobile Federation, that attempts were made to classify and regulate participating vehicles for fairness and safety.
Early classifications included factors like maximum weight, fuel consumption rates, and cylinder radius, but none were satisfactory until the concept of cylinder capacity was introduced. This became the "formula" in "Formula Racing": a standardized set of regulations for all participating vehicles.
The first Formula One (F1) race was born in 1950. Over more than 50 years of development, the regulations set by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for racing cars have gone beyond simple requirements for engine displacement. F1 is currently the highest level of motor racing globally, with an annual viewership of up to 6 billion people.
It's a fusion of high technology, teamwork, driver intelligence, and courage. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, meticulously organized throughout the year, with each race impeccably coordinated, including team operations, television broadcasts, and overall event management.
Each F1 car is a masterpiece crafted by world-renowned automotive manufacturers. The value of one of these racing cars exceeds $7 million, rivaling that of a small aircraft. F1 racing is not only a competition for driver bravery, skill, and intelligence but also a battleground for scientific and technological advancement among major automotive companies. Ford Motor Company aptly likened auto racing to the "high-tech Olympics."
The introduction of new racing cars in auto racing, from design to manufacture, represents the collective effort of numerous developers and reflects the cutting-edge technological capabilities of a company or even a country.
Auto racing is also a contest for the quality of scientific talent in each country. It is estimated that Germany has over 2,000 professionals directly engaged in racing design, manufacturing, and research, the United States has about 10,000, and Japan has the most, with an estimated nearly 20,000.
The manufacturing processes for various formula racing cars differ. Formula racing cars overseen by the FIA have three levels: Formula One being the highest, followed by Formula Two, and then Formula Three. These three levels have no designated manufacturers or engines; as long as they are built according to the "formula," they can enter the competition.
There are also many standardized formula racing cars around the world, with manufacturers devising their own "formulas" for construction. Because each car is identical, these types of formula racing cars are mostly used for entry-level events. For example, Renault's racing department, "Renault Sport," designed the Renault Formula, while others include BMW Formula, Ford Formula, and so on.