Formula 1 Racing
* Formula One racing is one of the most revered sports in the world. In the auto-racing world it is second to none in class, prestige, history, and skill. The level of competition is immense and the window of entry is miniscule. This brings up one question: (what is the question?) Formula One racing’s history dates back to the 1950s when racecars were simple front engine, drum brake cars. Compared to the cars of today, they are dinosaurs, but they were the best of their time and a wonder to many. (I’m starting a new paragraph because there isn’t much blend between these two sentences) * The older racecars, particularly those of the 1980s and 1990s, were much harder to drive than those of today. Today’s cars have wind tunnels, high tech onboard telemetry and enough computers to make a Best Buy store look like a quick shop. * The first racecars of Formula One were made from a minimalistic design consisting of an engine, chassis, wheels, and a gas tank. The early F1 cars had the engine at the front of the car. They had superchargers and were limited to a mere 4.5 liters. These engines could not be fueled with regular petrol because they would explode under the intense heat conditions. Alcohol was commonly added to help with the cooling process. The dominant style of the 1950s was the Alfa Romeos. Winning the first 3 world championships, the Alfa 159 was famous for bringing Manuel Fangio his 1951 title. * The 1960s were a dangerous year for F1. At this time, modern safety advancements had not yet been made. For example, drivers were still wearing helmets that did not cover their entire face. (Atlas F1). When Jim Clark and his teammate Chapman brought the innovatively designed Lotus 29s, many other cars were out of date (Cutter 134). The race organizers laughed at this new design and called it a “toy” (cutter 134), but this new design proved potent for a few simple reasons. The Lotus used an extremely strong Monocoque frame design that effectively