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Undo revision 103338 by Special:Contributions/Jacobin (User talk:Jacobin)
The highest ranking of single seater formula in the World of motor racing.
Having been created in 1950 it has risen, especially in the 1980s and 1990s to being one of the most successful and money-spinning sports of all time.
[[Drivers]]
Since the 1950s, such notable drivers as Michael Schumacher, affectionately referred to by Damon Hill as a "cheating scumbag"; Jenson Button, acknowledged in the Formula One world as a complete failure, although it is believed that noone wishes to say this to his face for fear of upsetting his notoriously fragile personality; and Jean Denis Deletraz, who scored a stunning 16th place in the European Grand Prix of 1995. And who can forget Andrea De Cesaris, who was once referred to as a "moving chicane" and "De Crasheris" by commentator Murray Walker and who, despite over 200 races never managed to cross the finish line first
[[Teams]]
Since 1985, the Minardi team has been at the forefront of Grand Prix racing and, with such classic drivers as Gaston Mazzacane and Zsolt Baumgartner, has managed to earn the respect of all in the F1 world. Against all odds, such as a decrepit V8 engine, Baumgartner scored one point in 2004.
A notable addition is Ferrari who, despite rumoured favouritism towards their prodigy Michael Schumacher, have reigned supreme. He won 8 titles from 1994 to 2006
[[A grand Prix]]
When a Grand Prix starts, five red lights go out. Many drivers usually jump the start and are penalised. Despite flamboyant protests over team radio and very complicated cockpit instruments saying "STOP" and "GO" this is still a problem. Therefore more driver aids are being introduced and, in late 2005, a idea was proposed that drivers would race using a games console from the comfort of their own garage. It was scrapped.
If a driver does get down to the first corner, they have to get through the challenge of not being punted off the circuit by such infamous figures at Eddie "Irv the Swerve" Irvine or David "Flying Scotsman" Coulthard, the latter being famed for causing an 18 car pile up in Belgium in 1998.
And even if the first corner incident is avoided, Michael Schumacher used to reign terror by driving into other opponents and then blaming them for the incident as happened in Austria and Germany 2000. Despite having been nowhere near the incidents, Ricardo Zonta and Giancarlo Fisichella seemed understandably bemused to have the wrath of the German unleashed on them.
[[Pit stops]]
When a car needs fuel or tyres it comes into the pitlane. Narrowly avoiding other cars and mechanics, the fuel hose is attached to the car and tyres changed. Yet in 1964 Gianseppini Alboretini left the pitlane 1 wheel short, the wheel severely hurting another mechanic.
And in 1994, Dutchman Jos Verstappen's Benetton caught fire in an inferno in Germany. This left the mechanics on fire, all trying to jump cartoon-style into buckets of water. This, however, was deadly serious. Luckily nobody was too badly hurt
[[Crashes]]
When a car hits the wall or goes off it crashes. In all honesty, most F1 fans watch it for the crashes. In recent years there have been some very spectacular accidents such as a 10 car accident in America in 2006. This time neither Schumacher or Coulthard was to blame, however Juan Pablo Montoya, fabled earlier in his career for not fitting in his car and missing two Grand Prix for getting tennis elbow, took the blame and was sacked for the next race.
[[Winning]]
''"Formula One was always a waste of good champagne"''Unknown critic
After a driver crosses the line, they win the race. Sometimes they are so happy they cry or, in one case, lose control of their car and have an enormous shunt. But on the podium the anthems are played and the drivers attempt to sing along whilst looking nervously down at the crew. The 2nd and 3rd placed drivers are usually in vile moods and tend to stand on the podium feeling very depressed. Yet Formula One has never produced such levels of depression as those seen in the emo-subculture. Quite the opposite in fact. Crying on the podium has been part of the sport for a while now. Such drivers as Rubens Barrichello in 2000, or Michael Schumacher later that year, have been seen to burst into tears after winning a race with Barrichello even doing a mock-conduction of the Italian national anthem after his first win.
[[Glamour]]
Notable "glamorous" events include the Monaco Grand Prix in May and the British Grand Prix in July, despite the latter often being affected by conveniently timed thunderstorms causing the infamous campers around Silverstone to sink into the mud. It is reported that three deaths per year are caused by people sinking into the Silverstone mud. No bodies have ever been found.
And the infamous Watson's Glen circuit was blighted by the now infamous "bog people" who torched anyone who entered's car or possessions. This is surprising yet rumours are that they developed from the loathing of local 1890s politicians such as Michael Craddock or James Cormack, who intended on banning motor racing in this early period.
One track, the Old Nurburgring was over 26km long and each lap took 8 minutes. This race was scrapped after the large death toll in only a few years due to the acute angles the corners were at to each other, such as the infamous Karusel 270 degree sweep.
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