Q: Why are there no female drivers in F1?

It is quite simply that there are no current female drivers. There have been in the past and there is no reason why there won't be in the future. Read our blog post on this subject. Why are there no female drivers in F1?

Question 1

Why are there no female drivers in F1?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

It is quite simply that there are no current female drivers. There have been in the past and there is no reason why there won't be in the future. Read our blog post on this subject. Why are there no female drivers in F1?

Question 2

Why do F1 cars spark?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Formula 1 cars are the cutting edge of innovation and technology. They are controlled by a strict set of rules and regulations that are designed to ensure the highest level of safety while ensuring the racing delivers maximum entertainment. One of the many controls used to ensure teams work within the rules is a strip of ply that runs the length of the underside of the car's floor. In short, the stewards will check the timber to ensure it has not worn out to ensure the cars are not running too close to the ground. Yep, all that technology and a plank of wood is still the best gauge. In order to protect the plank, the teams place titanium blocks skid blocks in strategic locations. These sit 3mm lower than the plank so when the car bottoms out (downforce) the blocks strike the asphalt and throw off sparks.

Sparking F1 cars add to the theatrics of the race and take it to another level for night races.

Question 3

How fast is a pit stop?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

A decent pitstop is around 2.2 - 2.4 seconds. This is the time from when the car comes to a complete stop until it leaves the box. During this time all four tyres are changed and occasionally a wing is adjusted. Red Bull currently holds the record at 1.82 seconds, however, subsequent to this remarkable feat, the FIA has introduced a 0.2-second delay, from when the last wheel is fixed until the car can leave. This is to provide reaction time if there is an issue and therefore reduce the chances of a failure and an accident.

Question 4

What is the constructors title?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Formula 1 runs two competitions over the course of a season, the Drivers title and the Constructors title.

Points are awarded to both the driver and the constructor for the top ten finishers for each race. The Constructors title is awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the season.

Teams receive payment for competing over the season with a portion of it calculated based on their points tally. So while only one Constructors title can be awarded, there remains a huge incentive to finish well and scoop as many points as possible.

Question 5

Can anyone be an F1 driver?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

It would be great to say yes, but the reality is that the people who make it to an F1 seat are exceptional. They possess a unique set of physical and mental attributes that allow them the opportunities needed to inch along the path to that elusive seat. And remember, there are only 20 seats available at any one time with most of them having multi-year contracts already.

To drive today's modern F1 car the chances are that you will need to be able-bodied, full sighted, be of slight build and in your late teens or early 20's. These are not rules set in concrete and there are always exceptions. Alonso Fernando is 40 years old this season and Hélio Castroneves won the Indy 500 last year at the age of 48 - there is still hope for me.

Those who make into one of the 20 seats have talent, skill, drive and determination beyond most people. They approach their chosen profession with a single-mindedness that ensures they keep their eye on the prize.

And of course, there is the money. To work your way through the feeder series and earn a Super License will cost millions. A paid seat in Formula 3 is in the order of $3.0m for a single season.

It's a good job there are many other ways to enjoy the thrill of F1 - travelling to events, watching on various media, or maybe a career working for one of the teams.

Question 6

Do F1 teams have unlimited tyres?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Teams are provided with an allocation of 13 sets of dry weather tyres for the weekend - two hard, three medium and eight soft. They also receive three sets of intermediate tyres and four sets of wets. If FP1 and FP2 are wet and FP3 looks like it will be wet, then the teams may return a set and take an extra set of intermediate tyres.

20 teams, each with 21 sets per weekend and 23 races. So Pirelli supply 9,660 sets or 38,640 tyres for the races. They also need to supply tyres for testing and media days.

Question 7

What is Free Practice?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Free Practice is held over three one hour sessions (FP1, FP2 & FP3),  the first two on Friday and the third on Saturday morning. The only variance in the current calendar is Monaco which olds FP1 & FP2 on Thursday as Friday is a public holiday.

The teams need to run the cars on the track to dial them in and ensure all the settings are correct for the track, the weather and any other variable. Teams run meticulously planned programmes that step the cars, and the drivers, through set-up and testing scenarios in an effort to be at the optimum for qualifying and the race.

A driver must attend at least one free practice session in order to start the race. Times are recorded but they do not count towards standing or affect points over the weekend, hence the term, Free Practice.

Question 8

What is the green paint on F1 cars during practice?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Teams may have the greatest minds, latest technology and testing facilities, but nothing is as good as the real thing. When the cars take to the track for practice, this is the chance for the engineers to see how the car or the update performs on the track.

Engineers apply Flow Vis paint, a mixture of fluorescent powder and light oil to specific areas of the body of the car to highlight the airflow over that area. As the car speeds around the track, the oil dries out leaving a fluorescent ‘tell tail’ on what is really happening with the aerodynamics.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2484" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Flow-vis-300x172.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="172" />

Question 9

What is the cost cap and why?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

In 2021 Formula 1 introduced a cost cap to limit the amount of money a team can spend in a single season, referred to as the cost cap. The cost cap was imposed at $145,000,000.00 in 2021 and is reduced by $5.0m per year for the next two years to settle at $135,000,000.00. It does have a mechanism to adjust for inflation. This budget is for all performance aspects of the team but excludes driver salaries and non-performance items like marketing, entry fees and travel. It also excludes the salaries of the three top paid team members. The cost cap also excludes the engine supply. The intention of this is to level the playing field where, previously, the big teams have had significant financial resources allowing them to replace parts or develop their cars at a rapid pace throughout the season. The smaller teams with limited resources were then further penalised and had less chance of competing on a level playing field. And remember, this is a cap on the teams spending, there will be teams who's budgets remain well below this level.

While the cost cap had been in planning for some time, its implimentation in 2022 was possibly a critical factor to the sustainability of the sport during the global pandemic.

Get a detailed explanation in Anna Duxbury's Autosport article here

Question 10

Why do F1 drivers drive through the marbles at the end of the race?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Formula 1 cars are finely tuned and constrained by a myriad of rules, one of which is minimum weight. The cars can be called to the weigh station at any time over the weekend and they risk penalties if found to be under the minimum weight.

When the cars start the race they have around 100kgs of fuel and as the race progresses the weight reduces the performance of the car can go up, so there is an incentive to manage the fuel load to a minimum.

In addition to this, as the tyres degrade they shed rubber (marbles) and therefore weight. Driving through the marbles, after crossing the finish line and before returning to the pit lane, with hot tyres so the marbles stick to the tyres is a way to add weight back to the car to help ensure the weight is within the required range.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2619" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Marbles-2-300x199.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="199" />

Question 11

Which team has the most titles?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Formula 1 introduced points to determine the constructor's title in 1958.

Ferarri, 16 (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008)

Williams, 9 (1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997)

Mclaren, 8 (1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998)

Mercedes, 8 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)

Mercedes have dominated the constructor's championship in recent years, winning all eight titles consecutively from 2014 until 2021.

Question 12

Which Driver has the most titles?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2655" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lewis-Michael-300x169.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="169" />

As of the end of the 2021 season, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher are tied with 7 titles each.

Question 13

Who is the current F1 champion

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Max Verstappen carries the driver's title into the 2022 season, winning it over Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the last race of a thrilling 2021 season. The race was subject to controversy over the way the safety car was managed following a late crash by Nicolas Latifi. However, after initial challenges, both lewis and Mercedes conceded that Max had earnt the crown. The title defender has the right to race in the following season using the No 1, which Max has elected to do. His official number is 33.

The title may have been won on the last lap of the last race but it was earnt over the course of the season. Two drivers entered the race on 370.5 and only one could emerge the winner.

Question 14

Why do the drivers spray champagne on the podium?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Spraying champagne has become a key part of the podium revelry as the prize recipients (First, Second, Third and Constructors) celebrate their success. Usually spraying each other and showering their teammates below before passing the bottle around for a celebratory drink. There are a few theories on this but the first recorded instance in F1 was Sir Jackie Stewart when he placed his thumb over the bottle opening to try and stop wastage. The rest is history...

I was the first person to spray champagne in Formula One
Sir Jackie Stewart

Question 15

How do points work?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Formula 1 runs two competitions over the course of the season, the Constructors title and the Drivers title. Points are allocated as follows, 1st - 25, 2nd - 18, 3rd - 15, 4th - 12, 5th - 10, 6th - 8, 7th - 6, 8th - 4, 9th - 2 and 10th - 1. A further point is awarded for the fastest lap, providing the driver is within the top ten. Sprint races receive, 1st - 8, 2nd - 7, 3rd - 6, 4th - 5, 5th - 6, 6th - 7 and 8th - 1. The team and the driver receive the same points for their respective title pursuit. In the situation where the race is stopped before going the full distance, there is a table to allocate reduced points relative to the distance completed.

The Drivers Title is for glory while the Constructors Title is for prize money (where teams rank determines the portion of the prie money they receive.

Question 16

Sprint Race Format - what is it all about?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Sprint race format F1 introduced a sprint race format in 2021 to provide additional race action over selected weekends. The sprint race is a 100km dash and takes approximately half an hour. Points are awarded for both the Driver's and Constructor's titles. 1st - 8, 2nd - 7, 3rd - 6, 4th - 5, 5th - 4, 6th - 3, 7th 2, and 8th - 1. This exciting F1 Sprint Race is one-third race distance, with the top eight finishers earning points toward their championship standing. No fastest lap points are awarded. Traditional qualifying, normally held on a Saturday, takes the place of FP2 on Friday, forming the grid for Sunday's Race. The sprint replaces the Saturday Qualifying, and the grid is set by the new SPRINT SHOOTOUT held on Saturday morning (SQ1 12 minutes, SQ2 10 minutes, SQ3 8 minutes.) 2023 will see the sprint format held in Azerbaijan (April 29), Austria (July 1), Belgium (July 29), Qutar (October 7), Las Vegas (October 21) and Sao Paulo (November 4). [caption id="attachment_6827" align="aligncenter" width="760"] What is a Sprint Race

Sprint race : gpblog.com[/caption]

Question 17

Are there points for pole position?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

No. The driver who takes pole position has the significant benefit of starting at the front of the grid. They receive an engraved wind tunnel wheel, sponsored by Pirelli, and the number of pole positions an F1 driver secures is one of the many career performance metrics used by the statisticians.

Saudi Arabia in 2022, Sergio 'Checko' Perez took his maden Pole Position after 215 race qualifying sessions.

Question 18

What does 'allowed to race' mean?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Formula 1 is unique in as much as a driver's teammate can be their biggest competitor. Each team has two cars fighting for the constructor's title and two contract drivers each fighting for the driver's title. A driver's performance is benchmarked against his teammate so they often find themselves battling for position. When drivers are allowed to race it means the team is leaving them to work it out on track. The opposite is 'team orders', where the team gives the drivers instructions, such as, "swap positions". One of the worst scenarios for a team is their own cars taking each other out of the race through an unnecessary incident.

In order to finish first, first you have to finish.

Question 19

How long is an F1 race?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1's Feature race is approximately 305 K's (190 M's) taking roughly an hour and a half but no more than 2 hours.

Monaco is an exception with respect to race length at 260 K's (161 M's) due to the, relatively, low speeds of the tight street circuit.

F1 also has a Sprint Race format, currently 3 events per season, that is approximately 100 K's (60 M's) and half an hour.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-3027 size-full" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Race-length.webp" alt="" width="800" height="533" />

Question 20

How does Qualifying work?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Qualifying (Quali) is a one-hour session used to determine pole position and the order the cars will line up behind pole.

The hour is structured in three sessions - Q1 at 18 minutes, Q2 at 15 minutes and Q3 at 12 minutes.

Teams are free to put their car on track at any stage of Q1 but they must have registered a formal time before the flag drops. At the end of the session, the five slowest cars are dropped and the position they finished Q1 in is the position that they will start from.

The driver one away from the cut-off is referred to as the 'Driver at Risk' as one of the cars below him could potentially put in a faster lap and push him below the cut-off line and out of the rest of Quali-

Q2 and Q3 follow the same format with the fastest driver in Q3 securing Pole Position at the front of the grid.

Question 21

Why do Race Track corners have names?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Race track corners were given names to make them recognisable and memorable. It is easier to recall the action at a uniquely named corner rather than its number. In 2022 there will be 23 "turn 3's"

Check out the names of all the corners at Monaco in our corner by corner guide - here

Eau Rouge is possibly the most famous and iconic corner in Formula 1. The series of turns through 3, 4, and 5 of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps make up Eau Rouge and Raidillon, just before the long Kemmel straight. Eau Rouge is named after a stream that passes through under the track, with water that is reddish due to the high amounts of iron it contains.

Question 22

Who is KIWI F1 FAN?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

My dad loved sport, any and all sports. So my first memories of F1 were his comments on the race results through the heady Schumacker Ferrari days. There wasn’t a lot of coverage then so we would watch the sports news to see the results. Then in 2007, I had the opportunity to host a group of clients at the Melbourne Grand Prix. The entire weekend was an assault on my senses and I was hooked. For me the racing is only a part of the package, the cars are insanely cool, the technology is incredible, and the drivers have talent and skill that is out of this world. You have the personalities of the drivers, the principals and the engineers. Since my first race in 2007 I have been to Melbourne another 6 times, Singapore twice and Malaysia, Austin and Mexico. My wife and I are planning to go to many more in the coming years...

Question 23

What is Aquaplaning?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

On a wet track, Formula 1 tyres – even special treaded wet-weather tyres, which can shift up to 65 litres of water per second – can build up a micro-thin layer of water between the tyre and track. In extreme circumstances, the car can effectively float on top of the water. As a result, the driver is in serious risk of losing control, with steering and braking ineffective. Teams will also raise the ride height of the cars so the stepped underbody isn’t at risk of aquaplaning.

From Mclaren.com - check out their site for the original and much more - here

Question 24

What is F1's Concorde Agreement.

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The F1 Concorde Agreement is a contract between Formula 1, governing body the FIA and the teams that compete in F1.

The agreement, among other things, is a commercial document that defines how F1’s television revenues and prize money will be distributed. The agreement was set to expire at the end of 2020 and was replaced by a new version that will run until the end of 2025.

One of the biggest changes in the new agreement is the introduction of the Cost Cap.

To compete in F1, every team must sign the Concorde Agreement and new teams must buy in to receive a share of the revenue.

Its name is due to the first iteration of the document, which was drafted in 1981, being discussed at the FIA offices, on the Place de la Concorde in France's capital Paris.

Question 25

Why do so many F1 Drivers live in Monaco?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Well if you are Charles Leclerc, it's because you were born there and that is where your family live, but for others, there are a number great of reasons.

Monaco is a principality and if you live there for more than 6 months of the year you are not subjected to Capital or Wealth taxes. Paparazzi are not welcome in Monaco so it is easier for the rich and famous to move around without being bothered. And, of course, it is a "Billionaires playground" on the French Riviera.

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3822" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Monoco-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Question 26

Who pays for the damage if two cars collide?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1 teams are responsible for their own cars, even if the crash was caused by another driver.

Replacement parts are expensive, they can be bespoke to the circuit and they take time to produce. In addition to this, the new regulations have a strict budget cap so, even the richer teams can't replace parts with an unlimited supply.

F1 parts are not cheap. A single front wing costs approximately $150,000.00 the car sitting on the start line is in the order of $13,000,000.00.

[caption id="attachment_3827" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-3827 size-full" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/f1-car-crash.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> (Photo by Peter J Fox/Getty Images)[/caption]

Question 27

How much do F1 cars cost?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1 is the most expensive sport on the planet. The costs start with design and snowball through development, production, testing, logistics and racing. Today teams work under a cost cap of $145,000.000.00 which covers all costs associated with producing and racing the car, with a number of exclusions. The most notable are the power unit, drivers' contracts and the top three executive salaries.

The information above is indicative only.

Question 34

How does altitude affect F1 cars?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Most of the races over a season are at sea level, however, Mexico and Brazil are at Altitude and have 25% less oxygen.

This causes additional technical challenges for the team's engineers as the Cooling, Aero and Engine Aspiration are affected.

Less air means less cooling, so you will see changes to help improve cooling. These often include larger sidepod intakes and vents added to the bodywork.

As the air is approximately 25% thinner at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, there is less downforce and drag. Teams will typically use a unique rear wing to help compensate for this phenomenon.

The engines require air for asperation and while the current hybrid Power Units require less oxygen than the old V8 and V12 engines, they are still put under additional stress. The turbos work to push through more oxygen but they can not push that hard for a full race.

Fortunately, all teams are facing the same challenge so they are all relying on their technical brainiacs to fine-tune the car to suit the conditions.

Question 35

Who has won the most races?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most wins at 103 going into the 2022 season and having passed Michael Schumacher's record of 93 in 2020. The record looks to be safe for some time as the nearest current challenger is Sebastian Vettel on 53, followed by Fernando Alonso on 32. Max Verstappen is next on 23. [caption id="attachment_4351" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]

Lewis Hamilton with a Michael Schumacker helmet, presented by son Mick.[/caption]

Last updated 10 May 2022

Question 36

Why do some cars get to pass the safety car before it finishes?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The safety car is deployed to control the field while marshals deal with an incident on track. Cars must follow in single file and may not overtake, meaning that lapped cars are out of order.

Just before the safety car ends, the race director may allow the lapped cars to un-lap themselves by passing the safety car and rejoining the back of the field.

[caption id="attachment_4354" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-4354" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/safety-Car-1024x489.webp" alt="" width="1024" height="489" /> nytimes.com[/caption]

Question 37

What is the most overtakes in an F1 race?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The record for the most overtakes in a single race belongs to China in 2016 with a tally of 161. In contrast, a number of races didn't record a single overtake - 2003 Monaco Grand Prix, 2005 US Grand Prix, 2009 European Grand Prix, 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.

Read a great article about overtake records by Joe Holding on autosport.com - here

Question 38

Can anyone enter an F1 team?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

In theory, yes, anyone can enter an F1 team, although it is not going to be easy. You will need to demonstrate your ability to deliver a competitive team for the full season and gain approval from the event owner (Liberty Media), the FIA and the other teams. You will need to fund the team at $140,000,000.00, plus power units at $10,000,000.00 - $18,000,000.00 each (minimum of six required). Driver fees and senior management fees are on top of this. Then you will need to stump up $200,000,000.00 which is distributed amongst the existing teams in compensation for a reduction in prize payout through adding a new share. You will also need to accept that you will not qualify for prize money for the first year.

At the time of writing, Andretti Motorsports are making a serious bid to enter a team. Read about it on motorsport.com - here

And watch a youtube clip explaining the barriers Andretti is facing - here

[caption id="attachment_5157" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] enter an F1 team

danielholihan.com[/caption]

Question 39

What does "Box now" or "Box, box, box" mean?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

The term Box comes from the German Boxenstopp, meaning pit stop and is used as a reference to the service area outside the driver’s garage.

'Box' is an instruction for the driver to come into the pits to receive new tyres, a repair or an adjustment. 

The driver might receive a message such as “OK, box this lap” or a slightly more desperate “Box, box, box” if the driver is close to the pit entrance

There is a huge amount of data and noise distraction assaulting a driver as he pushes the car to its limits so short, clear and concise terms are favoured.

[caption id="attachment_5192" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="size-full wp-image-5192" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pit-box-medium.com_.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="360"> medium.com[/caption]

Question 40

How do you tell the drivers apart in the same team?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

With ten teams each fielding two, nearly, identical cars it can be tricky to tell one driver from the other. There are three key ways to identify which driver is in which car,

The driver's number
The colour of the camera on top of the car
The driver's helmet

You should also watch the data on the screen as the provider will, more often than not, put the name of the driver being followed on the coverage. [gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" size="medium" ids="5222,5227"] Drivers number Each driver has a unique number assigned to them by the FIA. Numbers are displayed on the front of the monocoque and on the side of the car. But not always that easy to spot. Camera colour The cars have cameras mounted on top of the air intake and each team must use one black and one yellow, and drivers are allocated to a colour for the duration of the season. In the days of old, they were allocated with the primary driver taking the black and the secondary driver taking the yellow. Drivers helmet Drivers are free to design their own helmets. In the example above, Sebastian Vettel has his trademark white helmet with three stripes (often the colours of the German flag) and Lance Stroll is wearing dark green. Be aware, that drivers often change the design of their helmets so it pays to keep an eye out at the start of the weekend.

Question 41

Why is it bad if the cars wheel-spin at the start.

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

In short, if you are wheel spinning you are not moving forward and you will likely lose position to those around you.

Wheelspin = loss of traction = loss of sequence in gear selection = poor start = a loss of position or, worse, positions.

Question 42

How many people watch F1?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1's popularity has never been so strong and audiences are growing, thanks in part to Netflix, social media and the introduction of new circuits (Miami and Las Vagas). In 2021 F1's total audience exceeded 1.55Bn viewers. The series finale in Abu Dhabi registered 108.7Mn and an average over the season sitting at 70.3Mn. Race attendance, pre covid, was at 4.19Mn with three events exceeding 300,000 people through the gate over the weekend.

Read more about it on formula1.com - here

Question 43

What do the colours mean on the timing sheets?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The sports broadcaster uses colours to show the driver's performance, measured against his previous time and the best time for the session. The circuit is divided into three sectors and each sector will display its own split time. The colours and their meaning are as follows

White - the current official recorded time.
Yellow - signifies the driver has completed the sector, but with no improvement.
Green - signifies the driver has completed the sector and bettered his previous time for that sector.
Purple - signifies the driver has completed the sector and has done the best time of the session.

The timing sheets will then flash up the driver's lap time in the overall colour achieved.

Question 44

Who owns Formula 1?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The Formula 1 brand and commercial rights are owned by Formula One Group, a full owned subsidiary of Liberty Media and represented by Stefano Domenicali. 

Profits generated by running the event are divided between the shareholders of Formula One Group and the teams. The latter being a points weighted prize system. 

Of course the exact structure of the companies and their various shareholdings is more complicated than this, but for the average armchair fan, this is the basic structure.

Question 45

Power unit usage rules

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Formula 1 has strict rules about everything, including how many power unit components can be used over the course of a season. Long gone are the days of spare cars and as many parts as a team could afford. The FIA is continuously reviewing and amending the regulations in order to level the playing field and ensure the wealthy team's unlimited funds advantage is minimised. So over and above the cost cap, there are allowances for the number of each component allowed over the course of a year:

Internal Combustion Engine - 3
MGU-H - 3
Turbocharger - 3
MGU-K - 3
Energy Store - 2
Control Electronics - 2

Teams can mix and match components throughout the season, but should they need to use any new component from outside this allowance, they do so with the knowledge that they will serve a grid penalty. 10 places for the first primary part, and five places for each part after that.

Question 46

Are there points for the fastest lap?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Yes, the driver who records the fastest lap in the race may receive the DHL Fastest Lap award as well as a bonus point, however, to qualify for the point they must also finish in the top 10.

Question 47

Who is F1's GOAT?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

A subjective question and depends very much on what parameters are being measured. However, if we look at world titles then the following applies as of 2022

Ferrari has the most Constructors Titles at 16
Ferarri has the most Drivers Titles at 15
Lewis Hamilton is tied with Michael Schumacker for the Drivers Title at 7 each.

Question 48

What is a virtual safety car?

AB · Accepted Answer

In the event of a racing incident, the stewards will send out the safety car to neutralise the race, providing a safer environment for the marshals who need access to the track to clear it. 

For a minor incident, the stewards can deploy the Virtual Safety Car which is communicated to the driver by a series of lights on the side of the track. The driver must reduce speed to the required delta, usually around 30% slower than under race conditions. 

Once the incident is cleared the VSC light is extinguished and racing resumes. The VSC has the benefit of being able to switch on and off without the field having to complete the lap as it would under a full safety car. 

[caption id="attachment_5259" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-5259 size-full" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/VSC-motorpasion.com_.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="349"> motorpasion.com[/caption]

Question 49

What is party mode?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1 cars have a limited amount of componentry to use over the course of a season so racing is about speed and strategy over the course of the weekend and the season. To manage the life of the Power Unit, the teams can select a predetermined engine mode to extract maximum power with minimum stress for a particular session or sector of the track. Qualifying is a short session where maximum power is required and in 2018 Lewis Hamilton to it as Party Mode, and the name stuck.

"Our quali mode is the most fun mode - it should be the 'party' mode," he said at the time. "It is the most power and has the most juice, and it's when we hit the highest speeds."

Today there are restrictions on the use of an engine map in qualifying.

Question 50

What is a "Paid seat"?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

Top-end F1 teams have access to the best of everything, including proven drivers, who often come at a hefty cost. Teams at the other end of the field need to manage their budgets to extract the best from the team over a season and one option is to have a driver pay for the opportunity to drive the car as opposed to being paid. Paid drivers are common in the feeder series, F3 and F2, but not completely seen in F1. Some may argue that a paid driver has not necessarily earnt his seat, but these drivers need to have a super license that has a list of requirements including a minimum points haul from feeder categories over a set period. A number of very successful drivers started on the F1 grid as paid drivers, none less so than Michael Schumacker who, in 1991, was funded into a seat with Jordan for the Belgian GP. The fee was $150,000.00 for a one-race deal. It could be said that Lance Stroll is the ultimate example with his seat at Aston Martin where his dad owns the team... [caption id="attachment_5297" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]

Michael Schumacher, Jordan 1991 auto123.com/[/caption]

Question 51

How do Pit Stop Strategies work?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Meticulously planned strategy is key to F1 success, being the focus for the teams that starts well before the cars hit the track for the first event of the season and span the entire season. To win the championship, teams need to maximise points from every race and with regulations limiting parts, they must decide when to push and when not to.

Pit stop strategy is about getting to the finish line in the shortest possible amount of time. The regulations require a minimum of one pit stop and teams must run at least two different tyre compounds. So, a “one-stop strategy” is the minimum.

Pirelli, F1’s tyre supplier, play a significant part in influencing pitstop strategy, by bringing tyre compounds to the track that will be on the limit. This forces teams to decide whether they can push the car on old tyres, with reduced grip, or whether a further pit stop and fresh tyres, will give them an advantage.

The teams have an allocation of tyres being the hard tyre, medium tyre, and soft tyre. The hard will last longer but they are slower, whereas the soft will not last as long, but the additional grip allows them to go faster. There is roughly one second per lap between the three compounds.

And remember, a pit stop costs a team roughly 25 seconds, depending on the track. This is the combined result of leaving the track, travelling through the pits at a reduced speed, the physical stop and re-joining the race.

Ahead of the race, teams calculate their lap times for each of the tire options, factoring in degradation, a mix of tyre compound and pit stop time, to work out the fastest possible way to the finish line. This will determine if they are on a one-stop, two-stop or three-stop strategy. But this is formula 1, so there is always a Plan B or Plan C available should something happen.

Pitstop strategy can be affected by what other teams do. If your competitor pits you may follow him in to cover his move and maintain your position, or you may stay out to try and gain an advantage. Like and undercut.

A safety car or red flag provides teams with the opportunity to make a fast call and switch strategies as the loss of time associated with the pitstop is greatly reduced. And then there is the question over rain… A wet race is one thing but a chance of showers really throws a spanner in the works.

Teams may pit a driver towards the end of the race if the gap to the next driver is more than the pitstop loss to get fresh tires and go for the fastest lap and snatch the bonus point.

[caption id="attachment_5545" align="aligncenter" width="997"]<img class="size-full wp-image-5545" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pit-stop-strategy-formula1.com_.jpeg" alt="" width="997" height="561"> Pit stop strategy - formula1.com[/caption]

Question 52

What does "On his gearbox" mean?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1 drivers sit in front of the power unit which has its gearbox attached at the very rear of the car. As such, it is susceptible to damage if hit from behind or if the driver slides backwards into something solid.

When a driver is close behind the car in front it is often said that he is sitting "on his gearbox". 

[caption id="attachment_5739" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="size-full wp-image-5739" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gearbox-racecar-engineering.com_.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="241"> Gearbox : racecar-engineering.com[/caption]

Question 53

Why don't F1 drivers do doughnuts when they win?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The teams are racing to secure maximum points, for the Constructor Title and the Driver Title, over the course of the season and they have a lot of restrictions, including the cost cap and limitations on components.

So with a Power Unit costing in excess of $10.0m, they simply cannot afford to overstress it and compromise the rest of the season. 

On occasion, you will see the driver's given permission to let rip at the end of the season. Like at Abu Dhabi in 2019 below... 

[caption id="attachment_5744" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="size-full wp-image-5744" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/f1-doughnuts.gif" alt="" width="640" height="360"> f1-doughnuts : formula1.com[/caption]

Question 54

Do F1 drivers pee in their race suits

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

If we think this through, F1 drivers are adults who have dietitians who plan special diets and manage their hydration meticulously, so most of the time they should be able to go for a couple of hours between toilet stops.

But, like anyone, they could get caught out and there is no way that they will stop the car for the time required to exit, go to the bathroom and get back underway. 

So, in the case of extreme emergencies, drivers are instructed to pee inside their suits. As is common with other high-performance sports, where a bit of wee isn't going to get in the way of the prize.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6014" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/RedBull-spilt.jpeg" alt="" width="900" height="600">

Question 55

When was the first F1 race?

Andrew Burden · Accepted Answer

1950 The launch of the drivers' world championship with the first race at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on May 13. It was won by Guiseppe ‘Nino’ Farina. The first official F1 race, a non-championship event at Pau, was held the previous month. From formula1.com's website Read the full article here

The 'Three Fs' were pre-race favourites

Alfa Romeo’s 158 may have been 13 years old by the time of the first world championship race, but the 1.5-litre supercharged machine was still the car to beat, and that helped the Italian manufacturer sign three of the era’s biggest names: Guiseppe ‘Nino’ Farina, Luigi Fagioli and Juan Manuel Fangio, affectionately known as the ‘Three Fs’. The trio duly qualified their scarlet cars in the top three grid slots, with British driver Reg Parnell a second down the road in fourth in the final Alfa Romeo entry. In the race Farina, Fagioli and Fangio predictably ran away from the rest of the field, which was otherwise made up of a mixture of ageing Maserati’s, ERAs, Talbots and Altas.

Read the full article here

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Question 56

What are all the buttons on an F1 steering wheel for?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1 Steering wheels are an incredibly complex interface between the team, the driver and the car. So much more than just turining the front wheels... Watch the video below from motorsport.tv for a run through the buttons on the Mercedes steering wheel or for a more detailed (button-by-button) description check out our post - here.

Question 57

What is the difference between pushrod and pullrod?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The connection of each wheel to the rocker within the car’s body is by a pullrod or pushrod. The difference between the two is the geometric arrangement of the wheel hub in relation to the suspension arrangement within the body. Pushrods are mounted higher on the body relative to the wheel hub and ‘push’ the rockers. Pullrods are mounted lower and ‘pull’ the rocker. A common arrangement for F1 cars (since 2009) has pushrod suspension for the front axle and pullrod for the rear, as this geometry generally favours the airflow across the aerodynamic elements of the car. However, this is only a generalization – for the 2022 season, McLaren and Red Bull both employed pullrod suspension for the front axle, and McLaren even switched to pushrod for the rear. These differences in suspension arrangement were another interesting twist on the variation of the cars under the 2022 regulations.

This extract has been taken from an article on flowracers.com. You can read the full, very informative article - here

Watch F1TV's Tech Tuesday video explanation - here

[caption id="attachment_6063" align="aligncenter" width="1598"]

Pushrod vs pullrod @ScarbsTech[/caption]

Question 58

Why do F1 teams heat the tyres?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Warm tyres have more grip so heating them before they go on the car means that they are in the window immediately.

In sports categories where tyre warmers are not used, the driver needs to warm the tyres by spinning them or weaving on the track to create heat through friction. 

Tyre warmers, or tyre blankets, are essentially electric blankets that heats the tyres to 100C (212F).

They have been a major topic of discussion and are likely to be phased out to reduce high energy consumption, and costs,  placing the onus of bringing the tyres into the operating window back onto the driver. 

[caption id="attachment_6097" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]<img class="size-full wp-image-6097" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Tyre-Blankets.jpeg" alt="" width="1200" height="720"> Tyre Blankets - f1chronicle.com[/caption]

Question 59

What is the slowest corner in F1?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

The slowest corner on the F1 circuit is the Fairmont Hairpin. With a radius of only 10m, it is taken at 48 kph or 30 mph. 

[caption id="attachment_6320" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]<img class="size-full wp-image-6320" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Slowest-corner-planetf1.com_.jpeg" alt="" width="1200" height="630"> Slowest corner : planetf1.com[/caption]

Question 60

What is the fastest corner in F1?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

F1 is all about speed. The drivers are tested to the limit as they push the cars, repeatedly, through a series of complex corners. Some of the fastest corners on the F1 calendar include; Becketts, Silverstone, part of a series of sweeping tours with the drivers taking Becketts itself at 300 kph (186 mph). Gear 7 on entry and gear 5 on exit. The Swimming Pool, Monaco - After navigating the chicane the drivers fly through this complex at 215 kph or (135 mph) in gear 4/5. Curva Alboreto (Parabolica), Monza - a long sweeping right-hander with drivers entering at 330 kph (205 mph) and existing at 210kph (130 mph) in gear 4. Pouhon, Spa - a highspeed, gear 5, corner dipping before turning left. Drivers need to give 100% to take the corner at 290 kph (180 mph) Eau Rouge, Spa - Arguably the most challenging and the fastest on the F1 calendar. Foot flat, gear 6, and speeds of 300 kph (186 mph)

Question 61

What happens if more than one car goes to the back of the grid due to penalties?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

When a driver takes grid penalties for exceeding their component quota they move back down the grid - 10 places for the first component and 5 places for each subsequent restricted part.

But if they take three or more parts then they automatically go to the rear of the grid and if two or more cars do the same thing, they are sent to the rear in the order that they finish qualifying.

If the upgrade occurs after quali, then they are placed in the order that they advise race control of what they are doing. So for that reason, there can be an advantage in making the decision early, particularly if there are rumours about other teams weighing up their options. 

[caption id="attachment_6333" align="aligncenter" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-6333" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Back-of-Grid-grandprix247.com_.jpeg" alt="" width="750" height="501"> Back of the Grid - grandprix247.com[/caption]

Question 62

Do drivers have to participate in practice sessions?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

In order to participate in qualifying and start the race, a driver must participate in at least one free practice session. 

However, it is unusual to see a driver sit out a practice session as there are only three one-hour sessions for them and the team to familiarise themselves with the track and dial the car in. 

[caption id="attachment_6337" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-6337 size-large" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Free-Practice-planetf1.com_-1024x538.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="538"> Free Practice : planetf1.com[/caption]

Question 63

Why do F1 teams use different drivers in some practice sessions?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Teams have a long-term outlook and are constantly searching for their next superstar.

Many of the emerging drivers are contracted to a team and they will be seen working with the team, in the garage, or on the pit wall, during a race weekend. They can also fulfil simulator duties and other support roles. 

In order to compete in F1, the drivers must hold a Super License as well as having driven in an official F1 session. In 2022, the FIA regulated that the teams must provide two sessions for academy drivers.

[caption id="attachment_6342" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-6342" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Rookie-motohigh.webp" alt="" width="1000" height="600"> Liam Lawson testing for AlphaTauri : motohigh.pl[/caption]

Question 64

What is meant by driving style?

Kiwi F1 Fan · Accepted Answer

Driving style is the unique way drivers drive the car, accelerating, braking and positioning the car to take the corner.

Pundits will use terms like throttle control, early on the brakes, a pointy front end, understeer, good on the exit or smooth steering control. And while incredibly subtle, we are talking about a sport that competes to within a thousandth of a second so the minutest variance makes a difference.

Driving style means that two cars in one team may have quite different setups. This is often cited as the reason that one driver may struggle to get on top of the car where his teammate is excelling. 

[caption id="attachment_6443" align="aligncenter" width="1994"]<img class="size-full wp-image-6443" src="https://f1newbie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Driver-style.jpeg" alt="" width="1994" height="1122"> Driver style : formula1.com[/caption]

The Ultimate F1 FAQx

OK, so it is going to take a while before our database is populated sufficiently to justify the title of “ULTIMATE” but that’s the goal…

Why are there no female drivers in F1?

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Why do F1 cars spark?

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How fast is a pit stop?

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What is the constructors title?

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Can anyone be an F1 driver?

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Do F1 teams have unlimited tyres?

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What is Free Practice?

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What is the green paint on F1 cars during practice?

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What is the cost cap and why?

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Why do F1 drivers drive through the marbles at the end of the race?

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Which team has the most titles?

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Which Driver has the most titles?

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The Ultimate F1 FAQx

OK, so it is going to take a while before our database is populated sufficiently to justify the title of “ULTIMATE” but that’s the goal…

Why are there no female drivers in F1?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Why do F1 cars spark?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

How fast is a pit stop?

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What is the constructors title?

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Can anyone be an F1 driver?

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Do F1 teams have unlimited tyres?

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What is Free Practice?

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What is the green paint on F1 cars during practice?

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What is the cost cap and why?

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Why do F1 drivers drive through the marbles at the end of the race?

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Which team has the most titles?

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Which Driver has the most titles?

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