Formula 1 Essay Example For Students

Formula 1 Essay CONTENTSPageIntroductionFormula 1 OverviewFormula 1 Racing General InformationRacing StrategiesChassisAerodynamicsConstructionBrakesWheels and TiresSafetySafety Features of the CarSafety Devices of the Drivers PowertrainEngineTechnologyMaterialsTransmission:TechnologyCockpit InstrumentsSwitches: Displays and lights:Steering wheel and pedals:ConclusionReferencesCar Specifications and Performance FiguresComparison with a passenger vehicle:APPENDICESA Technical Specification -Williams Renault FW19 Formula 1 Racing CarB Technical Specifications -Renault V10 RS9 Engine SummaryFormula 1 racing has become the second most watched sporting event in the world. Manyof the spectators do not know realize how much research and testing goes into a Formula1 racing car. Many people are unaware of how technical and computerized these cars are. These cars are made of new space age materials and test new types of systems on the car. A Formula 1 car is one of the safest cars in the world. The cars are constantlybeing used to test out new safety features and improving the existing ones. The enginesare used to test new computer systems that control vital functions. There are many aspects of Formula 1 that go not behind scenes. These might justbe more interesting that watching the Formula 1 cars race. The Technology Behind Formula 1 RacingINTRODUCTIONThe sport of Formula 1 racing is one of the most technical and advanced sports inthe world. Formula 1 racing cars utilize new technology to constantly improve in the areasof performance and safety. This sport is responsible for the development of safety featuresthat you would find today on a commercial passenger vehicle. Formula 1 racing is aninternational sport that is followed by millions throughout the world. Each year about 10different race teams and 20 racing cars compete for t he Formula 1 World Championshipand Constructors Championship. The chassis of the current Formula 1 cars is made of aluminum tubing andcomposite material of carbon-fiber and aluminum honeycomb. It supports four wheels, thebrakes, suspension and a rear mounted engine. The chassis contains many safety features. Over the years the safety of Formula 1 cars has increased and as a result, todays cars aresuperior to previous models in the 1980s. Formula 1 cars contain safety features such as aroll bar, puncture proof fuel cell and a five point safety belt. The drivers wear fire proofclothing to protect them in case of a fire. A Formula 1 racing car has many onboardcomputers to control everything from brakes to the engine. There are also manyrestrictions on minimum lengths and weights. Formula 1 racing remains one of the mosttechnical and computerized sports in the world. This is a report which provides information on Formula 1 racing in general as wellas the chassis, safety features, engines and electronics in the cockpit of a Formula 1 car. General Information on Formula 1 RacingFormula 1 racing is an international sport with races called Grand Prixs being heldthroughout the world. These are held in Canada, Japan, Australia and many of theEuropean countries. The drivers are also from many diffe rent countries. Formula 1 racesare held on race tracks that are called street courses because there are both left and rightturns. These tracks have an average length of six kilometers and it takes a Formula 1 carabout two minutes to do a lap for an average speed of 300 km/h. Most of these trackshave long straight sections and tight turns. A Formula car must have an open-wheel design (Fig. 1-1). This means that thewheels cannot be covered by sheet metal. The engine is mounted behind the driver, and itpowers only the rear wheels. A Formula 1 racing team consists of two race cars with crews and drivers for eachcar. These teams are responsible for designing the chassis of the car. A separate companymakes the engines. For example, Jacques Villeniuves team is Williams and his teammateis Heinz-Harold Frentzen. The Renault company that supplies the engines for TeamWilliams. Each year the teams compete for the Drivers World Championship and theConstructors Championship. Usually there are abo ut 17 races per year. In each race theteams have an opportunity to receive points for each of the championships. The first sixpositions of each race are awarded points; these points are given to each driver and teamwith the winner of the race receiving the most points. The driver with the most points atthe end of the year is declared the world champion and the team with the most points winsthe constructors