The Race Tracks of Formula One Racing

With tracks placed around the world, Formula One is truly an international sport. The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit is located in Melbourne, Australia and has been a part of the Formula One circuit from 1998. Michael Schumacher holds the titles for the fastest Pole Position time and the fastest lap time both set in 2004. The Sepang International circuit is located in Malaysia. Since 2000, it has been in the Formula One circuit. Michael Schumacher holds the fastest Pole Position title and Juan Pablo Montoya the fastest lap. The Bahrain International Circuit / Sakhir Grand Prix Circuit in Bahrain is new to Formula One. The first race was held there in 2006, the year in which Michael Schumacher got the fastest Pole Position and Nico Rosberg the fastest lap. The Circuit De Catalunya in Spain has been part of Formula One since 1991. The length of the track has changed through the years resetting all positions help.

Circuit de Monaco has been a part of Formula One history for 51 years. In 2006  Fernando Alonso started in the Pole Position and won the race. Since 1978, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada has been a part of Formula One. Ralf Schumacher holds the fastest Pole Position and Rubens Barrichello the fastest lap, both set in 2004. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a part of Formula One from 2000-2007. Rubens Barrichello set both the fastest Pole Position and fastest lap these in 2004. Circuit de Nevers - Magny-Cours in France has been a part of Formula One since 1991. In 2004, Fernando Alonso set the record for fastest pole position and Michael Schumacher for fastest lap.

Since 1950, Formula One has been racing at the Silverstone Circuit in Great Britain. Kimi Raikkonen holds the title for fastest Pole Position and Michael Schumacher for fastest lap, both set in 2004. Also set in 2004, Michael Schumacher holds the titles for fastest lap and Pole Positions at Nurburgring in Germany. Formula One has been racing there since 1951. Racing started in Hungaroring, Hungary in 1986 for Formula One. Michael Schumacher holds both the fastest lap and Pole Position titles there. Otodrom Istanbul Park in Turkey has only been home to one Formula One Race. The race was dominated by Felipe Massa who started on the pole and won the race. Michael Schumacher set fastest lap time. Autodromo Nazionale Di Monza in Italy has been a part of Formula One since 1950. Rubens Barrichello set both the fastest lap and Pole Position there in 2004.

Circuit de Spa Francochamps in Belgium was part of formula One racing for 22 years from 1983 to 2005. Michael Schumacher set the fastest Pole Position in 2002 and Kimi Raikkonen the fastest lap in 2004. Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello dominated the Shanghai International Circuit in China in the three races that were raced there from 2004 to 2006. Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Brazil hosted seven Formula One races between 2000 and 2006. The fastest Pole Position was set by Rubens Barrichello and fastest lap by Juan Pablo Montoya both in 2004.

Design Features of Formula One Racing Cars

Formula One racing is among the most popular motor sports in the world.  What sets Formula One racing above all others is Formula One's strict rules.  Most regulations pertain to the construction of the race car and failure to follow the rules will result in elimination.  Construction of a Formula One racing vehicle must allow for the fastest possible speed and the best handling capability combined with effective safety features.  Today's Formula One cars push these to the limit.

To gain maximum speed and fuel efficiency the car builders, or constructors, rely on aerodynamic design.  These cars have has much aerodynamic design as a jet fighter.  Unlike an airplane, however, Formula One racing constructors must find ways to create down force.  This force is needed to keep the tires on the track at high speeds and improve handling on corners.  At the same time the design needs to allow air to flow freely around the car to eliminate any drag that would decrease speed or fuel efficiency.  Today a Formula One race car is designed to create such an aerodynamic down force that theoretically they can drive upside down.

The high speeds demanded by Formula One racing require an effective method to slow down or stop the race cars.  The brakes used on Formula One cars are similar to the brakes used on standard street cars.  Formula One cars have disc brakes.  The major difference between the brakes used for Formula One racing and that of road vehicles is that the Formula One vehicles use carbon fiber composite brake discs to reduce weight and increase durability at higher temperatures.  They are used in combination with specially compounded brake pads and work well at extremely high temperatures.

The main body of a Formula One racing car is the monocoque.  This section holds the cockpit and functions as the central part of the chassis.  Both the engine and the front suspension are mounted onto the monocoque.  Because it operates at the cockpit as well as the main structure of the car strength is important.  Most of the monocoque structure is composed of carbon fiber.  The cockpit, also called the survival cell, is designed with multiple safety features.

A powerful but lightweight engine is key to Formula One racing success.  FIA regulations now require that an engine last for more than one race weekend.  This requires constructors to develop engines that will be durable as well as high performance.  Engine failure is the leading cause of early race termination in Formula One racing.

Equally stressed during Grand Prix is the transmission system of the race car.  Formula One racing rules do not allow for automatic transmissions in the race cars.  The transmissions used today are highly automated and easy for the driver to manipulate but they remain a manual transmission.

Also important to Formula One race car design is the suspension system.  Passenger vehicles rely on suspension for comfort.  Formula One cars are not designed with driver comfort in mind.  The suspension systems in these cars must successfully combine the engine power, down force and tire grip to create a faster car.  The suspension systems are manually adjustable and are tuned to meet the needs of each circuit.

The final key to a successful race car is the tires.  In 2007 only one tire supplier is approved for Formula One racing.  Formula One racing tires use a special air mixture high in nitrogen to maintain uniform and longer lasting tire pressure.
Constructors of Formula One cars must pay special attention to every detail to get the best performance possible from their car.