As the country gears up to welcome the highly anticipated and a one-of-its-kind, electrifying car racing event, the Formula One, enthusiasts are becoming quite inquisitive. They are being engulfed by the anxiety to know each and every bit of information regarding the mega event, such as fascinating facts and rules and regulations that form a part of it. Thus, following are some relevant facts and figures that give Formula One a distinct identity.
Ramping to a maximum of 18,000 rotations per minute (RPM), a modern F1 engine consumes about 450 litres of air per second, with a race fuel consumption of around 75 litre per 100 km. Subsequently, the exorbitant and defying speed gives rise to an accelerative coerce, that is directed on the pistons, which counts to around 8000 times more than gravity.
As per rules, each car can utilise a maximum of eight engines every season. And in case the rule is flouted, a 10 place grid penalty is levied on the driver. Moreover, each car can use one gearbox for not more than four races.
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has also imposed a freeze on engine development, which means that no team can change the fundamentals that represent the engines' design.
It is important to note that the composition of the fuel used in the cars is more or less similar to that of ordinary, commercially available petrol.
However, in the past, the cars used a blend of powerful chemicals and additives that comprised large quantities of benzene, alcohol and aviation fuel. Some early fuels were so powerful in nature that the car's engine had to be taken out and washed in ordinary petrol at the end of the race to avert any situation wherein the mixture would corrode it.
The modern fuel is permitted to carry tiny quantities of 'non hydrocarbon' compounds, effectively prohibiting the most volatile power-boosting additives.
The fuel, available in 50 different blends, could differ from race to race, depending upon the nature and requirements of a track and weather conditions.
During an F1 season, a team approximately consumes over 2,00,000 litres of fuel for the purpose of testing and racing.
As a matter of fact, an ordinary car tyre can survive the wear and tear for about 16,000 kilometres or little more, however, an F1 tyre is designed to last for maximum 200 kilometres.
The motive behind concentrating on every aspect of an F1 car is to give rise to a body that is the lightest and strongest as well. An underlying nylon and polyester structure, in an obfuscating weave pattern, is designed to face far larger forces than road car tyres, with highest strength.
In addition, each team travels about 1,60,000 kilometres a season that includes races and test sessions.
