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Tens of millions of dollars are spent every year on research and development to improve the aerodynamics of the Formula One car. Aerodynamics has become a significant contributor to success in this sport.
The goal of the research is to create maximum downforce while minimizing the amount of drag on the car. Downforce is the force that helps to push the car's tyres onto the track. This is necessary to improve cornering forces. Drag is caused by air turbulence and it slows the car down.
The compromise between downforce and drag depends the circuit. Slow, tight circuits require more downforce while reduced drag is more important in high-speed circuits with long straights.
The engine of the Formula One car, as you can imagine, is a highly stressed component. The challenge for designers is to design an engine that is extremely strong and yet light and compact. It should also be in as low a position as possible to lower the car's centre of gravity.
New regulations introduced by the FIA for 2006 have stipulated that engine size be reduced from 3-litre V10s to 2.4-litre V8s, with the aim of reducing cost and improving safety. The FIA may allow some teams to use 2005-spec V10s if they do not have access to competitive V8. They will, however, enforce a rev limit on any V10s to ensure performance is comparable with that of a V8.
Good tyres are crucial for excellent performance. The best Formula One car will not stand a chance with bad tyres. While ordinary car tyres are designed for durability, a Formula One tyre is designed to be as light and as strong as possible. They have to be able to withstand far larger forces than ordinary car tyres. |
All Formula One drivers have to be extremely fit to be able to withstand the punishing physical demands of the sport. With cornering forces of up to 3.5 g, extreme heat and long distances, drivers need to be in their best physical condition to be able to last the full race distances.
Besides cardio-vascular training, drivers need to develop powerful neck, chest and arm muscles in order to withstand cornering forces and to keep the car in control.
Before the race, drivers need to drink large amounts of water to prevent dehydration through perspiration. Drivers can lose up to 3 kg of their body weight through perspiration during a race. |
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