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Thrust – the forward acceleration of the carĭrag – the effect of air movement slowing the car Lift – which needs to be avoided in a race carĭownforce – which keeps the car firmly on the track The concept of aerodynamics involves four fundamental forces:
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In the 60s and 70s, aerodynamics began to play a role in the design of the cars. By 1955 the cars were changing, with rear-mounted engines, wider tires, and lighter materials being used in their construction. The Early Yearsįormula 1 first made its appearance in 1950, and the first generation cars were cigar-shaped, with front-mounted engines, either 1.5 liter supercharged or 4.5 liter normally aspirated.Įven then, prominent manufacturers such as Mercedes, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo intended to use Formula 1 as a testing ground for innovation and development. To understand why DRS was considered necessary after sixty years of Formula 1 racing, let’s look at how the cars and their performance evolved and what role aerodynamics plays in the modern era. If you’re looking for some F1 merchandise, check out the awesome stuff at the official F1 store here. DRS has remained one of Formula 1’s most controversial devices designed to facilitate overtaking, as Formula 1 enthusiasts argue over its effect on the sport.Īny discussion about DRS revolves around the question of effectiveness – what were the reasons for introducing it, how does it work, and has it achieved the intended results? Has DRS skewed the fight for the World Championship? Should it be scrapped? But in a sport that costs billions of dollars annually, the controlling bodies must consider any changes that make the racing even more appealing to even more people.ĭRS stands for Drag Reduction System, a new concept introduced in 2011 for that exact reason – to make Formula 1 more entertaining. With almost ninety million viewers worldwide watching a Formula 1 Grand Prix on television, and up to four hundred thousand spectators attending a race, there’s no question that this type of racing is hugely popular.
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