|
| |
| The start |
| The Formula 1 World Championship started in 1950 with the first race being held at Silverstone, Great Britain |
| |
Point systeem |
| The first points system was 8-6-4-3-2 points being awarded to the top five drivers, with an extra point for the driver with the fastest lap time. Drivers were allowed to share cars with the points being divided accordingly. Only the best four results counted towards the world championship standings. |
| In 1954 the points system was changed, the best five results in a year counted towards the championship standings. |
| In 1960 the extra point for the fastest lap was removed. |
| In 1961 the points changed 9-6-4-3-2 -1 for the first six finishers. |
| The points system continuously changed up to 1984 when it stabilised at the best 11 results out of the 16 races. |
| In 1991 all restrictions were removed and the points from all 16 races counted. |
| The current point system is 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for the first 8 finishers. |
|
Race Lenght
|
| From 1950 on the length of the race was 300Km or 3 hours. |
| In 1958 it was ruled that the race length was changed to 300 and 500 Km with a maximum race length of two hours. |
| |
| The cars |
| At the start of the F1 championship the cars could have engines up to 4500cc normally aspirated, or 1500cc supercharged. |
| In 1952/53, world championship races were held with Formula 2 style cars due to the insufficient number of Formula 1 cars. Engines were 2000cc normally aspirated or 500cc supercharged. |
| 1954 saw the re-introduction of Formula 1 cars. The maximum engine sizes were now 2500cc normally aspirated or 750cc supercharged. |
| In 1958 it was ruled that drivers could no longer share cars in a race. |
| In 1961 a minimum dry weight for the car was introduced, and body work restrictions stopped enclosed wheels. |
| The maximum engine size changed in 1966 to 3000cc normally aspirated or 1500cc supercharged. |
| In 1972 the restriction of a maximum of 12 cylinders per engine was introduced. |
| In 1983 aerodynamic changes were imposed mandating a flat underside to the car. |
| In 1986 the engines specification changed again to a maximum of 1500cc supercharged or turbocharged with no other restrictions. |
| A a maximum of 3500cc normally aspirated only was introduced in 1989, bringing an end to the 'turbo period'. |
1994 saw the next set of changed after Ayrton Senna's death. More aerodynamic restrictions were imposed and the airbox was revised in an attempt to reduce engine power. A 10cm stepped flat bottom was also introduced to slow down the cars. |
