A sporting celebration of epic proportions, Formula One is more than a race series. It is an arena where the latest technologies are showcased, a means for a chosen few people, places and machines to achieve timeless recognition and eternal greatness.
Kicked off in 1950, Formula One has millions of fans but the sport is constantly evolving and has a colorful history. Here's the All you need to know about the first-ever F1 race .While most fans know the basics and the breaking news about the sport, we bring to you some lesser known facts about the sport:
11. F1 racers lose over 3 liters of body water during 1 race
According to Telegraph, the average F1 is equipped with 1.5 liters of water in the car, which is hooked to the helmet. This, in most cases, isn't enough to keep the drivers hydrated for long enough. It thus takes a lot of endurance and physical fitness to be a Formula race car driver.
10. Car tires lose 0.5kgs during a race
Formula 1 car tires lose 0.5 kgs during the race. This is because of the wear and tear that comes as a result of the high speed and the abrupt breaking. The G-Force doesn't spare the tires. Here take a look at All you need to know about the tyres used in F1 cars.
9. The F1 Helmets are the toughest in the world
F1 helmets must be extremely light. This presents the challenge of coming up with a product that can also be as tough as it needs to be. To ensure that the helmets meet the strict requirements, they have to go through a couple of fragmentation and deformation tests. Carbon fiber is the main material that's used to make Formula 1 helmets because of its robustness.
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8. The average F1 racer loses 4 kg during a race
It’s not just tires, but also racers who lose weight during an F1 race. The main reason why Formula 1 drivers lose up to 4 KGs is the unbearable temperatures in the cockpit, which can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius.
7. Weight of an F1 car must be over 728kg (without fuel)
According to Wikipedia, the 728 KG permissible weight includes the driver but not when the car has fuel. A look at the Top 5 most iconic F1 cars of all time
6. The lifespan of an F1 engine is less than 5 races
A normal Formula 1 engine can't last more than 5 races. The participants set aside a sizable budget just for the development of the engine. They are engineered to get the best out of them, even if it means functioning just for a few hours. The high level of precision that goes into building the engines means they're more subject to wear and tear.
5. Pit stops take less than 3 seconds
The average F1 crew takes about 3.0 seconds to change the tires. This is important because constructors are also gauged at the end of the season. For the driver, it means he'll focus more on the time to complete the race.
4. F1 cars rev at 15,000 RPM
A normal vehicle can achieve up to 6,000 RPM, while a Formula 1 race car can achieve twice as much. According to Wikipedia, this is made possible because of the power that's produced by the engine. The naturally aspirated engines for Formula 1 cars haven't changed over the years and have been consistent with the output.
3. 46 F1 racers have lost their lives so far
As much as Formula 1 cars are among the safest in the world, there are some calamities drivers can't avoid. There have been a total of 46 recorded deaths as a result of Formula 1 car accidents. The oldest driver to have died was 50-year-old Chet Miller, while the youngest was Ricardo Rodriguez, who was 20.
2. 372.6 kmph – the highest speed ever recorded by an F1 car
The highest top speed ever achieved in an F1 car on an F1 circuit (that last part is the most important) was 372.6kmph which was set by Juan Pablo Montoya while driving his McLaren-Mercedes race car at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza (the Monza racetrack) on September 4, 2005. Unsurprisingly, Montoya won the 53-lap race from pole position, followed by Renault’s Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella.
1. Juan Fangio is the oldest racer to win an F1 title
The oldest driver to win a title was Juan Manuel Fangio (the elder), who collected the final of his five world titles in 1957 at the age of 47. The oldest race winner, Luigi Fagioli, who won the 1951 French Grand Prix for Alfa Romeo, aged 53 years and 22 days.
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