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| Aerodynamics | Brakes | Construction |
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In the tough struggle for crucial seconds in Formula 1, aerodynamics play a fundamental role.
| Expensive carbon-carbon composite rotors are used instead of steel or cast iron. | The cars are constructed from composites of carbon fibre and similar ultra-lightweight materials. |
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Engine | Downforce | Engine 2006 |
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For a decade F1 cars have run with 3.0 litre normally-aspirated V10 engine. | The term downforce describes the downward pressure created by the aerodynamic characteristics of a car. | The teams will only be allowed to use eight-cylinder engines with a maximum cubic capacity of 2400cm3. |
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Exploded view of a F1 car | F1 vs MotoGP technique | Steering Wheel, Brakes, Driver’s Seat and Tyres |
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| | While Button won the Hungarian Grand Prix at the wheel of the Honda RA106, Nicky Hayden rode the Repsol Honda RC211V to world championship glory. | Formula 1 is a highly complex sport, where many elements of man and machine combine to strive for peak performance. But what is the story behind these details? |
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Fuel | Gears and transmission | Monocoque |
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| The fuel used in F1 cars is fairly similar to ordinary gasoline, albeit with a far more tightly controlled mix. | Formula One cars use semi-automatic sequential gearboxes with six or seven forward gears and one reverse gear. | This carbon fibre safety cell is virtually indestructible and plays a key role in the safety of Formula 1. |
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Performance | Scrutineering, what is being checked | Shell Fuels Ferrari Title Hopes |
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Grand Prix cars and the cutting edge technology that constitute them produce an unprecedented combination of outright speed and quickness for the drivers. | Every raceweekend scrutineering checks are being held, but what is really checked? You will be amazed at the amount of details the technical delegates are looking into! | Fuel is a subject often discussed in Formula One circles, but nearly always in relation to its weight and repercussions on speed.
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Steering wheel | Tyres | View suspended |
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| The driver has the ability to fine tune many elements of the race car from within the machine using the steering wheel. | By regulation, the tyres feature a minimum of four grooves in them, with the intention of slowing the cars down. | Engineering a Formula One car can be a frustrating business. Long hours are spent producing intricate pieces of industrial art, which are then inserted into a box and hidden from view. |
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