Formula 1

Formula 1

From the beginning of time people have always been trying to go fast. Starting with the first person to run and the last rocket to leave the earth’s orbit, the human race has sought new ways of achieving speed. One of the fastest sports to this date far surpasses any other, with speeds reaching over 300km/h and going through turns with g-forces close to 5, it is impossible to look at the sport without the appreciation of the physics behind it. The sport appreciated by millions around the world, is Formula 1 racing. Hundreds of hours of fine tuning, research, and dedication go into the sport. The car itself covers almost all aspects of physics. In this paper I will be discussing the main parts of the vehicle which allows for the incredible harmony of speed and handling. The components which allow for this harmonious union to exist are: the engine, body, suspension, tires, and most importantly the wings.   Even though these high performance automobiles are absolutely awe inspiring, it is important to understand the history and the roots of the sport itself.
The invention of racing had been conceived in the early 1900’s. Back then: cars were upright, slow and heavy, the road conditions were less than favourable and drivers were accompanied by mechanics because of the constant damage the vehicles would endure during the races that stretched from town to town. In 1908 the invention of “pits” and detachable rims were brought to life. This meant that mechanics could now labour on their vehicle on the sidelines and also finally be able to change tires to allow for peak performance. As time passed engines became larger allowing for overall faster speeds. In 1914 the enormous 4.5 litre Mercedes dominated the race tracks and eventually led to another invention, the supercharger. (a compressor that forces oxygen into an internal-combustion engine, which allows for more fuel to be provided and more work to be done for each cycle) It wasn’t until the mid-1930’s that German...