There are many things that make drivers a legend. From a diverse and faithful fan base to an uncanny driving ability that no other possesses, little things can make a driver a legend in their own rights. The legends are the drivers that are talked about long after their career is over and that are names that pop into your head when Formula One racing is talked about.

Michael Schumacher is a seven time Formula One World Champion and according to the official Formula One website is statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. He is known for his controversial driving. Michael Schumacher won two Formula One World Championships with Benetton and five more with Ferrari. He holds many reconds that are waiting to be broken with Formula One. Some of these titles are race victories, pole positons, and fastest laps.

Juan Manuel Fangio began racing long before the start of Formula One. He was racing on the deadly Argentine tracks that seemed more concerned with thrilling the fans than the start of the drivers. Juan Manuel Fangio went to Europe to begin his Formula One career in 1947. He won two Formula One World Championships in 1951 and 1955 before his career to a downward turn when he was indirectly involved in the accident that killed 83 spectators. He went on to live to 1995 but his career had never recovered.

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In order to win races and keep a competitive edge, F1 engines must be uniquely designed to provide maximum performance with greatest longevity. Historically, engines that were built for F1 racing were not built to last much longer than a single race. Today, FIA regulations stipulations require engines to not fall apart never to be used again. However, even with all the technology available to racing teams, engine failure is the most common reason cars are sidelined.

The specifications as well as the standards for F1 engines have changed many times since F1 races first began. One hundred bhp per litre was the expected output of a F1 engine over fifty years ago. Some fluctuations in output occurred since then. Now, the standard output is closer to 300 bhp per litre using a 2.4 litre V8 engine. Engines today can use 650 litres of air per second. In a race, the modern engine will use about 75 litres for each 100 kilometers.

It’s tempting to think that regular car engines bare any resemblance to the modern day F1 engine. Unfortunately, regular cars aren’t capable of the same speed with typical car engines. Since reducing drag is a very important part of this sport, engines are built much smaller than normal car engines. Formula one engines also take up less space.

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The high speeds and challenging courses of Formula One racing make it a dangerous sport for drivers. Many of the rules in Formula One racing are designed with driver safety in mind and constructors are always looking at new design features to enhance driver safety.

Formula One racing rules require that a driver must be able to get out of the racecar quickly. The exit must be accomplished in less than five seconds with the removal of nothing more than the steering wheel. According to FIA rules the steering wheel must also be able to be re-installed within five seconds to allow for quick removal of a car from the track to insure the safety of other Formula One racing drivers.

The cockpit area of a Formula One racing car is referred to as the survival cell. In Formula One racing, the survival cell is equipped with a rollover protection hoop as well as front and rear crash protection features. Recent changes have focused on making side walls taller and stronger to protect the driver’s head from flying debris. Formula One racing cars are put through crash tests to determine their ability to safely protect the driver.

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Formula One racing is among the most popular motor sports in the world. What sets Formula One racing above all others is Formula One’s strict rules. Most regulations pertain to the construction of the racecar and failure to follow the rules will result in elimination. Construction of a Formula One racing vehicle must allow for the fastest possible speed and the best handling capability combined with effective safety features. Today’s Formula One cars push these to the limit.

To gain maximum speed and fuel efficiency the car builders, or constructors, rely on aerodynamic design. These cars have has much aerodynamic design as a jet fighter. Unlike an airplane, however, Formula One racing constructors must find ways to create downforce. This force is needed to keep the tires on the track at high speeds and improve handling on corners. At the same time the design needs to allow air to flow freely around the car to eliminate any drag that would decrease speed or fuel efficiency. Today a Formula One racecar is designed to create such an aerodynamic downforce that theoretically they can drive upside down.

The high speeds demanded by Formula One racing require an effective method to slow down or stop the racecars. The brakes used on Formula One cars are similar to the brakes used on standard street cars. Formula One cars have disc brakes. The major difference between the brakes used for Formula One racing and that of road vehicles is that the Formula One vehicles use carbon fiber composite brake discs to reduce weight and increase durability at higher temperatures. They are used in combination with specially compounded brake pads and work well at extremely high temperatures.

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