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Many Changes Mark Formula One Racing History Since the 1890s
from: Maxx Sports GuidesFormula One racing is believed to have had its genesis in France’s racing circuits as early as the 1890s.
In 1946 the Commission Sportive Internationale, a division of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobiles, (also known by the acronyms CSI of the FIA), established Formula One racing as the premier single seat racing circuit worldwide.
The first World Championship for Formula One drivers was held in 1950. Giuseppe ("Nino") Farina, who drove an Alfa Romeo 158, won the first Formula One Championship by just three points.
Italian made cars dominated the field in the early years of Formula One racing. The Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Maserati were burning up the tracks with countless wins across the world.
In 1954 and 1955 Mercedes was running the circuit, until a horrible accident at the end of the 1955 season killed 83 people. Mercedes withdrew from racing for nearly forty years.
The car manufacturer Lancia also withdrew their cars from the Formula One racing after a driver was killed. Whether Alberto Ascari's death four days later was a direct result of his crash on the track was never determined.
Through the years the Formula One engine has undergone many changes, including different fuel types and engine size. Engine sizes had grown from a two litre to a 2.5-liter before being downsized in 1961 to a non-turbo 1.5-liter to slow the cars down.
This engine was used for the next five years. In 1966, the speed returned when Formula One engine sizes increased to 1.5-liter turbo charged and 3.0 litres.
In 1968, Formula One racing saw two major changes that are still in effect today: the introduction of non-automobile related sponsorship, and the first Lotus Formula One team. In May of that year they sported the colors of Imperial Tobacco's Gold Leaf brand, red, gold, and white. The wing that still appears on the car today was also introduced to Formula One that same year.
During the next ten years changes to cars came and went. New things were tried but nothing that stuck until 1977. The ground effects introduced a year earlier as an experiment were taking hold in the Formula One world. These ground effects made for a better down force which created a better grip for the cars and higher speeds.
Also in 1977 Renault introduced its RS01. This brought the 1.5-liter turbo charges engines and Michelin tires to Formula One. McLaren introduced the carbon fibre chassis in 1981. The lighter, stiffer carbon fibre made for better grip and higher cornering speeds. The use of turbo engines grew throughout the early 1980s until fuel consumption for the turbos was restricted.
In 1984 refueling of cars was banned -- a blow to the high consuming turbo engines. In 1987 atmospheric engines showed up again in Formula One, and in 1989 turbo engines were banned.
In subsequent years FIA rules and regulations for Formula One continued to change. As the fan base and popularity continues to grow and new technology introduced, the rules will continue to grow and change as Formula One keeps growing and changing.
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