Answering The Most Common Questions About Formula 1

Now You Know

Mar 5

Written By Ana Wid

Formula 1 is getting more popular with each day and is, naturally, attracting many new fans who are not quite familiar with the sport.

Since we are (unfortunately for us) chronically online and are well aware of the most frequent questions new fans ask about Formula 1, we wanted to make a list of all the question we found online under the comments on various social media and simply answer them all in one place.

If you are a new fan and you wonder how Formula 1 works then this will be the perfect post for you. If you are not a new fan - wait - stick around. You might find learn something new, you never know.

Can a Formula 1 car reverse?

Yes, Formula 1 cars can reverse. The ability to reverse is a requirement set by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for Formula 1. This rule ensures that drivers can extricate themselves from situations where they might otherwise be stuck, such as in a run-off area or after a spin, without the need for external assistance.

However, reversing in a Formula 1 car is not as straightforward as in a regular road car. The reverse gear in an F1 car is much less powerful compared to the forward gears and is rarely used, mainly due to the complexity of the gearbox and the focus on performance and weight reduction. Drivers typically avoid using reverse unless absolutely necessary, as maneuvering in reverse is challenging due to the limited visibility and the sensitivity of the car's controls.

Despite its practical limitations, the capability to reverse remains an essential feature for safety and practical reasons, allowing drivers a degree of self-sufficiency on the track.

Are Formula 1 cars manual?

Formula 1 cars are not manual in the traditional sense of having a clutch pedal and a gear lever that the driver operates manually to change gears. Instead, Formula 1 cars use a highly sophisticated semi-automatic sequential gearbox. This system allows drivers to change gears using paddles located behind the steering wheel. A pull on the right paddle shifts up a gear, while a pull on the left paddle shifts down a gear.

This semi-automatic system is electronically controlled and allows for extremely quick gear changes, often in the range of milliseconds. The gearbox is designed to handle the high performance and speed of Formula 1 cars, ensuring that gear changes are as efficient and smooth as possible.

While the gearbox is semi-automatic, drivers still play a crucial role in timing their gear changes, especially to optimize acceleration, braking, and cornering. The system does, however, include software that helps to prevent potentially engine-damaging actions, such as selecting a gear that would result in too high an engine RPM for the current speed.

How formula 1 works?

To put it shortly, teams compete in a series of races, called Grands Prix, held worldwide on different circuits. Each team fields two drivers, and points are awarded based on race finishes, contributing to both the World Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. The race weekend includes practice sessions, qualifying (to determine the starting grid), and the race itself. F1 cars are high-tech, hybrid vehicles designed under strict regulations for safety, performance, and competitiveness. The sport combines driver skill, advanced engineering, and strategic planning, with the season spanning multiple races across various countries.

Who owns Formula 1?

Formula 1 is owned by Liberty Media Corporation, an American mass media company. Liberty Media acquired Formula 1 in 2017 from a consortium of sellers led by CVC Capital Partners for $4.4 billion. Upon acquisition, Formula 1 was incorporated into the Liberty Media portfolio as the Formula One Group, which handles the promotion and governance of the F1 racing series.

What’s the difference between Formula 1 and IndyCar?

Formula 1 and IndyCar are both premier forms of open-wheel racing but differ in key areas. Formula 1 is a global series featuring advanced technology and races on a mix of street circuits and purpose-built tracks. It emphasizes aerodynamics, hybrid power units, and has a higher cost and technological barrier. IndyCar is primarily based in the U.S., racing on a mix of ovals, road courses, and street circuits, with more standardized cars to ensure competitive parity and lower costs. The strategies and race formats also vary, with IndyCar including refueling and a push-to-pass system. Overall, F1 focuses on technological prowess and global appeal, while IndyCar emphasizes accessibility and competitive balance.

Are F1 cars street legal?

We are not sure why this is a very common question on social media, but no - Formula 1 (F1) cars are not street legal. They are designed and built exclusively for racing on closed circuits and do not meet the requirements necessary for a vehicle to be legally driven on public roads. These requirements typically include having functional headlights, taillights, turn signals, a certain level of emissions control, and safety features like seat belts and airbags, among other regulations that vary by country.

F1 cars are highly specialized racing machines featuring advanced aerodynamics, open-wheel design, and a lack of standard street car features such as a suspension system designed for smooth driving on varied road surfaces. Furthermore, their engines are incredibly loud, and the fuel they use may not comply with regulations governing road vehicle emissions. Consequently, while F1 cars are the pinnacle of automotive racing technology, they are confined to the racetrack and not suitable or legal for street use.

Why F1 cars sometimes spark?

This is an interesting one! Formula 1 cars produce sparks mainly due to the titanium skid blocks embedded in the plank underneath the car. This plank is a regulatory requirement, introduced to limit how close the bottom of the chassis can get to the road surface, essentially controlling the car's ride height for safety reasons and to prevent teams from gaining an aerodynamic advantage by running the car too low to the ground.

Titanium is used for these skid blocks because it is both strong and light, and importantly, it produces bright sparks when it contacts the asphalt, which adds to the visual spectacle of the sport. The sparking effect was more common in the late 1980s and early 1990s but became less prevalent after regulations changed to raise the cars higher off the ground. However, the FIA reintroduced titanium skid blocks in 2015 to bring back the sparking effect for aesthetic reasons.

The sparks occur when the car's underbody grazes against the track surface, typically at high speeds, during bottoming out in a high-load situation like going over a bump or through a high-speed corner. This not only serves as a visual spectacle but also provides a practical indication of the car's ride height and how aggressively a team is setting up their car.

How F1 drivers sit in F1 cars?

Formula 1 drivers sit in a highly reclined and low position, with their legs elevated and extended forward towards the pedals. This unique posture optimizes the car's aerodynamics and improves its center of gravity, fitting within the car's compact and streamlined cockpit for both performance and safety.

Why was halo introduced in F1?

The Halo device was introduced in Formula 1 starting with the 2018 season as a safety measure to protect drivers from head injuries. Its implementation came after several years of research and development by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the sport's governing body, aimed at enhancing cockpit protection. The Halo is a titanium structure that sits above the car's cockpit, designed to deflect debris, protect the driver's head in the event of a rollover, and provide additional protection in the event of a collision.

The push for increased safety measures, including the Halo, gained momentum following a series of accidents in various motorsport categories where drivers suffered head injuries. Notably, the deaths of Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi in 2015, due to injuries sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, and IndyCar driver Justin Wilson in 2015, who was struck by flying debris, highlighted the need for improved cockpit protection.

Despite initial resistance from some quarters of the sport due to concerns over aesthetics and the potential impact on driver extraction, the effectiveness of the Halo in preventing serious injuries has been proven in multiple incidents since its introduction. Its value was notably demonstrated in high-profile crashes, such as the one involving Charles Leclerc at the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix and Romain Grosjean's fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, where the Halo was credited with saving the drivers from potentially life-threatening injuries.