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Formula 1

F1


Formula 1 is the topmost level of open-wheel single-seater motor racing sanctioned by the FIA, which is the governing body for motorsport events throughout the world and is owned by the Formula One group. The FIA F1 World Championship is one of the premier forms of motor racing series globally. The inaugural season of the F1 world championship took place in 1950.

A Formula One season consists of a series of races, known as Grand Prix, which are held in purpose-built racing tracks or street circuits (such as Monaco, Singapore, Saudi Arabia where the public roads are closed for F1 races) around the world.


The results of each race are evaluated using a point system and the F1 World Championship is awarded for an entire season. The two main titles are the F1 Drivers’ World Championship and the F1 Constructors’ World Championship for the team as a whole.


The driver who takes part in F1 needs to have a valid super license, which is the highest class of licenses issued by the FIA. The races are held on race tracks graded 1, which is the highest grade rating issued by the FIA.


The Cars


F1 cars are the fastest open-wheel racing cars in the world with the most advanced level of engineering going into the production of these cars. It is often regarded as the most technologically advanced sport in the world.


F1 cars constantly evolve with time. They can generally be divided into the Supercharged era, the Turbocharged era, the Aerodynamic era, and the current generation cars fall under the Hybrid era. While 2025 will see truly witness the end of the turbo-hybrid era, the 2022 season itself has brought in several new technical regulations which have significantly transformed the cars.


A revision of the sport's technical regulations has led to a new cockpit protection device known as the "halo" which was introduced for the 2019 championship. The Pirelli F1 tire compounds remain the same as last year although the cars are set to adopt new 18-inch wheels in 2022 while most Grand Prix are expected to require one-stop tire strategies. Additionally, unlike in over the last decade, wheel covers are back and F1 will be using over-wheel winglets for the first time ever. While significant changes have been brought about the parts of the car including the rear wing, the front wing, the tires, the fuel, and the overall development of the design and aerodynamics, the power unit will remain constant in 2022 at 1.6-litre turbo- hybrid units.


Stepping into a new era of F1, the 2022 cars are expected to be designed in a way that allows for closer wheel-to-wheel racing than ever before and reduces the disparity in car performances throughout the grid. Additionally, the 2022 cars are set to use more sustainable fuel with the bio-component ratio rise to 10% from last year’s 5.75%.


Safety has been at the forefront of the transformations brought in this year. The minimum weight for the cars has risen from 752kg in 2021 to 790kg this year, representing an approximate 5% increase. The chassis of an F1 car is now also required to absorb 48% energy in the front and 15% more in the rear impact tests.


The Drivers


Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen will be determined to defend his first title this year, while Red Bull will be hoping to take their fifth constructors’ world championship title with significant contributions from Sergio Perez who will be entering his second year with the Milton-Keynes based team.


Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will fight to clinch a record eighth world championship title that slipped right through his fingers on the very last lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mercedes is the defending World Constructors' Champion, having won their eighth consecutive title at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The team will be looking to extend their domination with the help of their young, new, driver George Russell.


The 2022 season has Carlos Sainz and Monaco’s Charles Leclerc racing for legendary F1 team Ferrari. Their strongest rivals from 2021 have Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris at McLaren. Red Bull’s sister team Alpha Tauri has Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly racing for the team. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is entering his second year at Alpine with Esteban Ocon, while four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is at Aston Martin partnering with Lance Stroll.


Valtteri Bottas has moved on from Mercedes after five incredible years at the team to join Alfa Romeo and is partnered with Guanyu Zhou, who is the only rookie racing in the series this season. Alex Albon is returning to the sport after a year on the sidelines with Williams to partner Nicholas Latifi, and so is Kevin Magnussen who is back for the first time since the end of the 2020 season to partner Mick Schumacher at Haas.


Some of the most celebrated names in the sport are Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Mika Hakkinen, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Juan Manuel Fangio, and Sir Jackie Stewart to name a few.


The highest number of world championships titles have been won by Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher with a record 7 titles. Juan Manuel Fangio has 5 titles to his credit, while Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel have 4 titles each to their name.


The Teams


The F1 teams can be classified into an entrant and a constructor. An entrant is a person or a corporate that registers a car and driver for a race who is all responsible for the preparation and maintenance of the car during the race weekend.


In accordance with the FIA regulations, "the constructor of an engine or chassis is the person which owns the intellectual rights to such engine or chassis". The Constructors’ World Championship is awarded to the carmaker who has scored maximum points over the course of an F1 season, where a car's make takes into account both the engine and the chassis. Hence, if a car's chassis and engine constructor are the same such as in the case of Scuderia Ferrari and Mercedes, the make is the name of that particular constructor. When the chassis and engine are constructed by two different entities, the car's make comprises both, the name of the chassis constructor placed before the engine constructor, such as in the case of McLaren which uses a Mercedes engine, or Red Bull which is using Honda.


Ferrari holds the prestigious position of being the most successful team of all time and the oldest constructor in F1 with a whopping 239 wins and 16 World championships to their credit. McLaren has won 183 races and 8 World Championships while Williams has 114 Grand Prix victories and 9 World Championships to its name. In 2021, Mercedes clinched their eighth consecutive constructors’ world championship title and have undeniably dominated the turbo- hybrid era although Red Bull is certainly putting up a fight for their much-awaited fifth constructors’ title.


Red Bull’s sister team Alpha Tauri and Alpine (previously Renault), fought hard all of last season for a fifth position in the constructors’ standings and the battle was one by the French constructor. Further down the grid, Williams, Alfa Romeo, and Haas have undeniably struggled in the past season.

Videos
When Christian Horner decided to get rid of Guenther Steiner at Red Bull
When Christian Horner decided to get rid of Guenther Steiner at Red Bull

When Christian Horner decided to get rid of Guenther Steiner at Red Bull

"Of 20 years of my career, I had four frustrating years": Fernando Alonso does not feel sorry for his F1 career team choices
"Of 20 years of my career, I had four frustrating years": Fernando Alonso does not feel sorry for his F1 career team choices

"Of 20 years of my career, I had four frustrating years": Fernando Alonso does not feel sorry for his F1 career team choices

"What’s happening with my son?": Aston Martin owner might not be happy with Fernando Alonso overshadowing Lance Stroll
"What’s happening with my son?": Aston Martin owner might not be happy with Fernando Alonso overshadowing Lance Stroll

"What’s happening with my son?": Aston Martin owner might not be happy with Fernando Alonso overshadowing Lance Stroll

Mercedes technical director explains what the team means by 'changing the car concept'
Mercedes technical director explains what the team means by 'changing the car concept'

Mercedes technical director explains what the team means by 'changing the car concept'

Team Max Verstappen not happy with Nico Rosberg's 'more gracious' comments at Jeddah
Team Max Verstappen not happy with Nico Rosberg's 'more gracious' comments at Jeddah

Team Max Verstappen not happy with Nico Rosberg's 'more gracious' comments at Jeddah

Mercedes boss told to prioritize Lewis Hamilton by tearing up Russell's contract: "The problem is George"
Mercedes boss told to prioritize Lewis Hamilton by tearing up Russell's contract: "The problem is George"

Mercedes boss told to prioritize Lewis Hamilton by tearing up Russell's contract: "The problem is George"

'Same chance, same opportunity, same car" - Red Bull boss reveals how team will manage a possible 'Max Verstappen vs Sergio Perez' battle 
'Same chance, same opportunity, same car" - Red Bull boss reveals how team will manage a possible 'Max Verstappen vs Sergio Perez' battle 

'Same chance, same opportunity, same car" - Red Bull boss reveals how team will manage a possible 'Max Verstappen vs Sergio Perez' battle 

Sergio Perez backed to challenge Max Verstappen for an 'interesting' title fight: "He's not going to go down without a fight"
Sergio Perez backed to challenge Max Verstappen for an 'interesting' title fight: "He's not going to go down without a fight"

Sergio Perez backed to challenge Max Verstappen for an 'interesting' title fight: "He's not going to go down without a fight"

Fernando Alonso's former team principal shares 'the only caveat' Aston Martin needs to follow to have a successful partnership with the Spaniard
Fernando Alonso's former team principal shares 'the only caveat' Aston Martin needs to follow to have a successful partnership with the Spaniard

Fernando Alonso's former team principal shares 'the only caveat' Aston Martin needs to follow to have a successful partnership with the Spaniard

George Russell's F1 opening title pose turned into a meme by Mercedes
George Russell's F1 opening title pose turned into a meme by Mercedes

George Russell's F1 opening title pose turned into a meme by Mercedes

"They don't like coming second": Former F1 champion Damon Hill feels Sergio Perez made Max Verstappen and co. 'very unhappy'
"They don't like coming second": Former F1 champion Damon Hill feels Sergio Perez made Max Verstappen and co. 'very unhappy'

"They don't like coming second": Former F1 champion Damon Hill feels Sergio Perez made Max Verstappen and co. 'very unhappy'

"There is huge amount of energy": Mercedes director assures the 'attitude' inside the team remains positive
"There is huge amount of energy": Mercedes director assures the 'attitude' inside the team remains positive

"There is huge amount of energy": Mercedes director assures the 'attitude' inside the team remains positive

"Ferrari needs Lewis Hamilton": Mercedes star tipped to swap Silver Arrows for the Prancing Horse
"Ferrari needs Lewis Hamilton": Mercedes star tipped to swap Silver Arrows for the Prancing Horse

"Ferrari needs Lewis Hamilton": Mercedes star tipped to swap Silver Arrows for the Prancing Horse

McLaren F1 boss outlines current 'main weakness' of the MCL60
McLaren F1 boss outlines current 'main weakness' of the MCL60

McLaren F1 boss outlines current 'main weakness' of the MCL60

Lewis Hamilton worried of copying Red Bull-type sidepods on Mercedes: "It might even go slower"
Lewis Hamilton worried of copying Red Bull-type sidepods on Mercedes: "It might even go slower"

Lewis Hamilton worried of copying Red Bull-type sidepods on Mercedes: "It might even go slower"

McLaren announces departure of James Key, signs key Ferrari engineer
McLaren announces departure of James Key, signs key Ferrari engineer

McLaren announces departure of James Key, signs key Ferrari engineer

"He'll be leveraging them": Max Verstappen and father Jos will 'pressure' Red Bull according to former F1 champion
"He'll be leveraging them": Max Verstappen and father Jos will 'pressure' Red Bull according to former F1 champion

"He'll be leveraging them": Max Verstappen and father Jos will 'pressure' Red Bull according to former F1 champion

"We are making very big steps in our R&D": Toto Wolff confident Mercedes can make swift progress towards the front
"We are making very big steps in our R&D": Toto Wolff confident Mercedes can make swift progress towards the front

"We are making very big steps in our R&D": Toto Wolff confident Mercedes can make swift progress towards the front

No room for Lewis Hamilton at Red Bull insists Christian Horner: "We’re very happy with the drivers that we have"
No room for Lewis Hamilton at Red Bull insists Christian Horner: "We’re very happy with the drivers that we have"

No room for Lewis Hamilton at Red Bull insists Christian Horner: "We’re very happy with the drivers that we have"

Parallels drawn between Fernando Alonso and Niki Lauda after the Spaniard makes it two podiums in two races at Jeddah
Parallels drawn between Fernando Alonso and Niki Lauda after the Spaniard makes it two podiums in two races at Jeddah

Parallels drawn between Fernando Alonso and Niki Lauda after the Spaniard makes it two podiums in two races at Jeddah

F1 and FIA alarmed after Saudi Arabian GP yields significant reduction in number of overtakes
F1 and FIA alarmed after Saudi Arabian GP yields significant reduction in number of overtakes

F1 and FIA alarmed after Saudi Arabian GP yields significant reduction in number of overtakes

Sebastian Vettel's former teammate on when he realized Fernando Alonso was a potential F1 world champion
Sebastian Vettel's former teammate on when he realized Fernando Alonso was a potential F1 world champion

Sebastian Vettel's former teammate on when he realized Fernando Alonso was a potential F1 world champion

"Probably more like Jeddah than Bahrain", Mercedes director predicts pecking order for 2023 F1 Australian GP
"Probably more like Jeddah than Bahrain", Mercedes director predicts pecking order for 2023 F1 Australian GP

"Probably more like Jeddah than Bahrain", Mercedes director predicts pecking order for 2023 F1 Australian GP

Former Red Bull driver explains why Fernando Alonso's IndyCar move 'was a bit of a surprise'
Former Red Bull driver explains why Fernando Alonso's IndyCar move 'was a bit of a surprise'

Former Red Bull driver explains why Fernando Alonso's IndyCar move 'was a bit of a surprise'

Why didn’t the team order George Russell to let Lewis Hamilton through in the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian GP? Mercedes director explains
Why didn’t the team order George Russell to let Lewis Hamilton through in the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian GP? Mercedes director explains

Why didn’t the team order George Russell to let Lewis Hamilton through in the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian GP? Mercedes director explains

Mercedes director explains why Lewis Hamilton started the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian GP on hard tires
Mercedes director explains why Lewis Hamilton started the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian GP on hard tires

Mercedes director explains why Lewis Hamilton started the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian GP on hard tires

Mark Webber reveals what makes Fernando Alonso so special
Mark Webber reveals what makes Fernando Alonso so special

Mark Webber reveals what makes Fernando Alonso so special

Pirelli expresses interest in continuing F1 tire supply beyond 2024 as former Japanese manufacturer reportedly enters the fray 
Pirelli expresses interest in continuing F1 tire supply beyond 2024 as former Japanese manufacturer reportedly enters the fray 

Pirelli expresses interest in continuing F1 tire supply beyond 2024 as former Japanese manufacturer reportedly enters the fray 

Mercedes technical director reveals when pursuit for podium began for George Russell in Jeddah
Mercedes technical director reveals when pursuit for podium began for George Russell in Jeddah

Mercedes technical director reveals when pursuit for podium began for George Russell in Jeddah

Michael Schumacher's F1 championship-winning Ferrari up for auction
Michael Schumacher's F1 championship-winning Ferrari up for auction

Michael Schumacher's F1 championship-winning Ferrari up for auction

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