If you’re a fan of Formula One racing, you know that the cars are some of the most advanced machines on the planet. But have you ever wondered how they’ve evolved over the years?
The design of Formula One cars is incredibly technologically advanced. It has to be, as the speeds the cars reach and the G-forces they experience are unimaginable to the average person. But how did we get from those simple, open-wheeled racers of the early days to today’s sleek and sophisticated machines?
In this blog post, we will take a look at the history of Formula One car design. We’ll discuss some of the biggest changes in design over the years, and see how each era has left its mark on this high-speed sport. So buckle up and let’s take a ride through time…
Early Years
In the early years of what became Formula One, the cars were much simpler than they are today.
The first champion Formula One car was built long before the championship itself existed. The Alfa Romeo 158 was designed for the 1938 Grand Prix season and had already won eighteen races before the first Formula One race took place.
Racing then paused during WWII. Afterwards not many people had the funds to build new racing cars and so pre-war racers were brought back out.
Non-supercharged 4.5-litre pre-war Grand Prix cars were allowed to race against the pre-war 1.5-litre supercharged ‘voiturettes’ (light-weight racing cars with engines limited to 1500 cc), though pre-war supercharged 3-litre Grand Prix cars were banned.
Factory Italian and Mercedes Front-Engine Cars
One of the most iconic images in Formula One history is that of the silver-painted Mercedes-Benz W196, which dominated the sport in the 1950s. This was the first car to use fuel injection and featured a streamlined body designed to cheat the wind. The W196 was so successful that it led to a ban on streamlining for the 1954 season.
The following year, the FIA (the governing body of Formula One) changed the rules to allow cars with engines up to 2.5 litres. This led to a power arms race, as teams tried to squeeze as much power as possible out of their engines. The result was some of the most powerful and dangerous cars in Formula One history.
One of the most famous cars of this era was the Ferrari 625, which was powered by a massive V12 engine. The car was so quick that it was nicknamed ‘The Shark’, due to its predatory looks.
British Invasion
In 1958, Lotus founder Colin Chapman introduced the revolutionary Lotus 25, which featured a monocoque chassis made from stressed aluminium sheets, rather than the steel tubing used by other teams. The car was so light and strong that it gave Lotus a significant advantage over its rivals.
The British teams would go on to dominate Formula One for the next few years, with Lotus, Cooper and BRM all winning World Championships. The cars of this era were often very fragile, and it was not uncommon for them to break down or even catch fire during races.
One of the most famous cars of this period was the Lotus 49, which was powered by a Cosworth V8 engine. The car won 10 races in its first season and took Lotus to its first Constructors’ Championship.
Turbo Era
In 1977, the FIA changed the rules to allow cars with turbocharged engines. This led to a new era of Formula One, as teams began to develop ever-more powerful turbocharged engines. The engines of this era could produce up to 1500 bhp, which was more than twice the power of the engines used in the early 1970s.
The turbocharged cars of this era were often very unreliable, and it was not uncommon for them to blow up during races. This led to a number of drivers being seriously injured, and even killed. In 1982, Gilles Villeneuve died after his Ferrari crashed and burst into flames.
Although the turbo era was one of the most exciting periods in Formula One history, it was also one of the most dangerous. The cars were incredibly fast, and the racing was often unpredictable.
Modern Era
In 1989, the FIA changed the rules again, this time banning turbocharged engines. This led to a reduction in power, and a return to naturally-aspirated engines.
Today, Formula One cars are the most advanced racing machines on the planet. They are incredibly fast and aerodynamic, and feature some of the most sophisticated technology available.
The modern era has seen great changes in Formula One car design. The most radical change came in 2009, when the FIA introduced a new set of regulations known as the ‘double diffuser’. This led to a major change in the aerodynamic design of Formula One cars, and resulted in a significant increase in downforce.
The double diffuser was subsequently banned for the 2010 season, but many of the other changes it brought about have remained. These include the use of ‘F-Ducts’ and ‘blown diffusers’, which help to increase downforce without increasing drag.
Over the years, Formula One cars have become increasingly safe. The introduction of safety features such as the ‘Halo’ cockpit protection device has made Formula One one of the safest forms of motorsport.
Halo is an FIA-approved safety device that is mandatory in Formula One racing. It was introduced in the 2018 season after the several high-profile accidents in which drivers were injured or killed by flying debris.
Halo consists of a wishbone-shaped titanium bar that sits on top of the cockpit and wraps around the driver’s head. It is designed to sustain the weight of a London double-decker bus – the equivalent of 12 tonnes balancing on a 7kg carbon fibre covered frame. While some drivers have criticised Halo for its aesthetics and impact on visibility, there is no doubt that it has made Formula One racing safer.
However there is always room for improvement, and the FIA is constantly looking for ways to make Formula One even safer, which will continue to drive innovation in the design of Formula One cars into the future.
Today Formula One cars are extremely fast and aerodynamic, and feature some of the most sophisticated technology available. Formula One cars are still the pinnacle of motorsport engineering, and their design will almost certainly continue to evolve for many years to come.