F1 Formula Racing

F1 Formula Racing

F1 Formula Racing

F1 Formula Racing

F1 Formula Racing

F1 Formula Racing

The history of Formula One has its roots in the European Grand Prix motor racing (q.v. for pre-1947 history) of the 1920s and 1930s. However, the foundation of Formula One began in 1946 with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA's) standardisation of rules. A World Drivers' Championship followed in 1950. The sport's history necessarily parallels the history of its technical regulations; see Formula One regulations for a summary of the technical rule changes. Although the world championship has always been the main focus of the category, non-championship Formula One races were held for many years. Due to the rising cost of competition, the last of these occurred in 1983. National championships existed in South Africa and the UK in the 1960s and 1970s.

Contents

• 1 The early years
• 2 Front-engined car and Italian factory effort era
• 3 Introduction of the Constructor's championship, British independent teams and the mid-engine revolution
• 4 Technology emerges
• 5 Ford-Cosworth DFV era and the arrival of sponsorship, safety and aerodynamics
• 6 Ground-effect era, Renault's introduction of the turbo-charged engine and other innovations
• 7 The rise and fall of the 1.5 litre turbo-charged engine
• 8 3.5 litre engines and the Senna/Prost rivalry
• 9 Safety, rules and regulations
• 10 End of the privateer era and the 3-litre engine era
• 11 Schumacher and Ferrari ascend
• 12 Renault displace Ferrari and 2.4 litre V8 engines
• 13 New rules and cutting costs 2009–
• 14 Footnotes
• 15 See also
• 16 References
• 17 External links

The early years

Formula One was first defined in 1946 by the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) of the FIA, forerunner of FISA, as the premier single seater racing category in worldwide motorsport to become effective in 1948. It was initially known variously as Formula A, Formula I or Formula 1 with the corresponding "Voiturette" formula being titled Formula B, Formula II or Formula 2. When the 500c formula was internationally recognised as Formula 3 in 1950 it was never titled as "Formula C" so the three International Formulae were "officially" titled Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3.^[1]
In the beginning, the formula was largely based on pre-war regulations defined by engine capacity. The regulation expected to bring a new balance between supercharged and normally aspirated cars. Non supercharged 4.5 litre pre-war Grand Prix cars were allowed to race against the pre-war 1.5 litre supercharged 'voiturettes' while pre-war supercharged 3 litre Grand Prix cars were banned. The first race under the new regulations was the 1946 Turin Grand Prix held on 1 September, the race being won by Achille Varzi in an Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta.
Championships for drivers or constructors were not introduced immediately. In the early years there were around 20 races held from late Spring to early Autumn (Fall) in Europe, although not all of these were considered significant. Most competitive cars came from Italy, particularly Alfa Romeo. Races saw pre-war heroes like Achille Varzi, Jean-Pierre Wimille and Tazio Nuvolari end their careers, while drivers like Alberto Ascari and Juan Manuel Fangio rose to the front.