With tracks placed around the world, Formula One is truly an international sport. The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit is located in Melbourne, Australia and has been a part of the Formula One circuit from 1998. Michael Schumacher holds the titles for the fastest Pole Position time and the fastest lap time both set in 2004. The Sepang International circuit is located in Malaysia. Since 2000, it has been in the Formula One circuit. Michael Schumacher holds the fastest Pole Position title and Juan Pablo Montoya the fastest lap. The Bahrain International Circuit / Sakhir Grand Prix Circuit in Bahrain is new to Formula One. The first race was held there in 2006, the year in which Michael Schumacher got the fastest Pole Position and Nico Rosberg the fastest lap. The Circuit De Catalunya in Spain has been part of Formula One since 1991. The length of the track has changes through the years resetting all positions help.

Circuit de Monaco was a part of Formula One history for 51 years. The last race was help there is 2006. During the last race there, Fernando Alonso started in the Pole Position and won the race. Since 1978, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada has been a part of Formula One. Ralf Schumacher holds the fastest Pole Position and Rubens Barrichello the fastest lap, both set in 2004. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a part of Formula One from 2000-2007. Rubens Barrichello set both the fastest Pole Position and fastest lap these in 2004. Circuit de Nevers - Magny-Cours in France has been a part of Formula One since 1991. In 2004, Fernando Alonso set the record for fastest pole position and Michael Schumacher for fastest lap.

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Formula One racing began in 1946, although it is said to have roots in the racing circuits as early as the 1890’s in France. In 1946 Formula One racing was set as the premier single seat racing circuit worldwide by the Commission Sportive Internationale a division of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s or in abbreviation form the CSI of the FIA. The first World Championship for Formula One drivers was held in 1950. Giuseppe (”Nino”) Farina, who drove an Alfa Roméo 158, won the first Formula One Championship by just 3 points.

In the early years of Formula One racing, the Italian made cars were dominating the field. The Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Maserati were burning up the tracks with countless wins across the world. In 1954 and 1955, Mercedes were running the circuit, until a horrible accident at the end of the season in 1955. The accident killed 83 people and 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. It was never determined if Alberto Ascari’s death was a direct result of his crash on the track that lead to his death four days later.

Through the years the Formula One engine have with gone many changes, from things like fuel type changes to the size of the engine. The engine sizes had grown from a 2 liter to a 2.5 liter before they were downsized in 1961 to a non turbo 1.5 liter in order to slow the cars down. This engine was used for the next five years. They speed was returned in 1966 with Formula One engines increasing to the 1.5 liter turbo charged and a 3.0 liter engine.

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Formula One racing developed as the premier motor sport over the past century. The early history of Formula One racing has roots in European Grand Prix racing. Formula One racing has evolved to become a global sport with fans in over 200 countries and racing circuits around the world.

During the early years of auto racing in Europe, rules (formulas) were instituted to create standards for cars and drivers. These rules challenged the racecar builders, known as constructors, to develop safer and better performing cars. Prior to World War II plans had been set for a World Championship among Grand Prix organizations. Because racing was suspended during the war, the first Formula One World Championship was not held until 1950. Giuseppe Farina won the first Formula One World Championship at Silverstone, England. During the first years the championship title was given only to drivers. Since 1958 an additional championship title has been awarded to a constructor. The award for the drive and the award for the constructor are awarded independently.

The World Champion title for Formula One racing is determined by a point system. The eight top drivers and their teams in each Grand Prix race are given points based on their finishing position. The top winner and his team each receive 10 points. The remaining seven winners and their teams receive 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 point. Because most teams have two cars in each race a team may receive points for each car if they both finish in the top eight. The driver and the team with the most points each are declared the World Champion. In case of a point tie, the driver or team with the most number of Grand Prix wins during the season wins the award.

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Formula One racing is among the most expensive of competitive sports. As a result corporate sponsorship is vital to keep a team competitive. Formula One racing team annual budgets are estimated to range from $66 million to $400 million. When the costs necessary to design and support a winning team are considered these estimates appear accurate.

Successful Formula One racing requires specially designed vehicles. A Formula One racing team includes engineers and designers who create innovative ways to improve racecar design, safety and speed. These engineers and designers require computers and testing equipment. In addition, new design ideas must be custom created prior to vehicle testing. Vehicles must be track tested to determine whether a new design feature will work. Aerodynamic design features require wind tunnel testing which adds an additional expense to the design-testing program.

Safety concerns and FIA regulations require specially formulated fabrics to be used in the making of Formula One racing overalls, helmets and portions of the racecar.

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Formula One racing is a weekend event with two practice sessions on Friday, a practice session and qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday. The practice sessions are used for drivers to familiarize themselves with the track and for the crew to make any necessary adjustments to the car. The qualifying is used to determine the way the cars will start in the race.

Formula One qualifying works a little differently that some people would think. Qualifying is broken down into three segments with 7-minute breaks in between. In the first segment, all 22 cars run the qualifying lap. The slowest 6 cars are placed in the 17-22 staring positions. In the second segment, the remaining 16 cars run the qualifying lap. The slowest 6 cars are placed in the 11-16 starting positions. In the final segment, the final 10 cars are racing to be on the pole position, the position that puts the fastest car on the track in the number one starting position. In short, to be in the pole position for a Formula One race you first must be 16th or faster, then 10th of faster, and in the final session, you must be the fastest car on the track.

Thirty minutes prior to race time on Sunday afternoon, the drivers are able to make as many warm up laps that they choose during this thirty minute period. The general rule for the length of the races is set but the smallest number of complete laps over 305km, though there are a few exceptions. Once five sets of lights go green and the set of red lights go off the race begins. With the cars averaging 2 kilometers per liter of fuel, they make many pit stops curing a race. During these pit stops, they will also get fresh tires and the crew can make minor adjustments to the car as needed. The timing and placement of pit stops can be crucial to a Formula Once racecar driver. At the end of the race the First, Second, and Third place drivers are put on a podium and the National Anthem of the winner home country is played. A post race press conference follows.

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