Deciphering The Formula 1 Car Race Rules
Every Formula 1 car race is run with cars that are very high performance and have certain standards set down for them by the FIA, or the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. The FIA sets many rules for every Formula 1 car racing team. There are several reasons for these rules. First and foremost is the need for safety measures. Also, while some margin of flexibility is given to the team constructors to optimize the car for performance, there is also a need for some uniformity in the performance and design of every car, from every team.
The Formula 1 cars have a single seat and an open cockpit. The sports auto chassis is made largely from a carbon fiber composite, which allows for strength and stiffness, while still remaining light. The regulations and car guides set down by the FIA state that the combination of car and driver cannot exceed 600 kg. This includes the engine and any fluids added to it, such as fuel and water.
The Formula 1 car race vehicles are designed by the car racing teams to be nearly aerodynamically perfect. The front and the rear of the car have "wings" or spoilers mounted to them, which provide a significant downforce as air passes over them. This keeps the car hugging the track and prevents any chances of them turning over. To add to this, the car sits very close to the ground, allowing very little air to creep underneath of it. Many of the current car designs created by car racing teams have additional small spoilers or other aerodynamic aides added to them to improve performance through both turns and the straightaway.
All racing teams have guidelines that they must follow when putting tires on their car for a Formula 1 car race. The tires are manufactured specifically for the Formula 1 racing circuit. Before 1998, a team was required to use what is called a slick tire, which had no tread at all. In 1998, the FIA banned slick tires and made the teams switch to a grooved tire. These grooved tires have four grooves and were made specifically for the purpose of limiting the turning speeds of the cars. However, this will change again in the 2009 racing season, as slick tires will once again be legal in the Formula 1 car racing sports circuit.