Top 5 All Time Formula 1 Cars

by admin on July 20, 2010

Ever since the first modern Formula 1 World Championships began in 1950s,various models have come and gone. Different cars have been outstanding throughout history for various reasons. Below are the 5 best.

ALFA ROMEO TIPO 158/159 ALFALETTA:

Top 5 All Time Formula 1 Cars

The Alpha Romeo Tipo was a small supercharged car that won the first two titles of the world championship in 1950 and 1951. The 158 and 159 models had 47 wins out of 54 races between them. They had a supercharged 1.5l eight cylinder engine that pumped up to 317KW of power at 9300rpm. The 159 model had a high fuel consumption rate and needed to make two stops in any race to refill. It reached peak speeds of 304km/h and its maximum power of 9300rpm was unequaled until late into the 1970s. Some of the renown drivers with the Alfa of that time include Alberto Ascari (the first champion of the modern world championship in 1950), and the consequent winner Juan Manuel Fangio.

LOTUS 79:

Top 5 All Time Formula 1 Cars

The Lotus 79 was famously known as Black Beauty. It had a natural aspirated DFV Ford Cosworth V8 engine with a power output of 357kw at 10,500rpm. Its transmission was a 5-speed manual.It won the world championship in 1978 with its drivers taking first and second positions in that season. Some of its drivers were Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson, who finished the 1978 season second, albeit posthumously. Very few cars rivaled it on the circuit, and not even the Lotus 80 could replicate the winning ways, forcing the manufacturers to revert to the Lotus 79.

BRABHAM BMW BT52:

Top 5 All Time Formula 1 Cars

The BT52 has been referred to as the most powerful car ever built in the history of Formula 1. Designed by Gordon Murray, this was built in the era when horsepower reached shocking levels. It had a 1.5l turbocharged cylinder, produced a power output of 670kw at 11,000rpm.The BT52 won the world championship in 1983, with some of its drivers including Nelson Piquet and Ricardo Patrese.

MCCLAREN HONDA MP 4/4

Top 5 All Time Formula 1 Cars

Both McLaren and Honda designed this amazing car. It won the Formula 1 world championship of 1988 under astute drivers like the famous Ayrton Senna and Alain Frost. It had 1.5 turbocharged V6 enginethat powered an output of 511kw at 12,500rpm.The MP 4/4 won 15 of its 16 Formula 1 races, 10 of which saw Senna and Frost finish in first and second positions respectively. It would have made history as being unbeaten, were it not for the 1988 lapping traffic accident at the Monza circuit.

FERRARI F2002:

Top 5 All Time Formula 1 Cars

This car is arguably the fastest car in history. Although it did not debut in the race of Monaco, this Ferrari dominated the rest of the 2002 season as well as the 2003. Its most renowned Formula 1 drivers are Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.This car had 3l V10 engine, powering 633kw at an estimated 18,600-rpm, and a 7-speed semi-automatic and reverse transmission. Its strengths lay in its structural integrity, efficiency in aerodynamics and a lower centre of gravity. During the 2002 season, Schumacher achieved 10 wins while Barrichello got 4 of the GP victories, with the car accumulating 207 points, an astounding figure in GP racing. Between 2000-3, the F2002 realized 16wins out of 20 races.

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The History of Formula 1 Racing

by admin on July 20, 2010

The History of Formula 1 Racing

Formula One cars have been around since 1946. Generally the cars that participated were considered to be supercharged at 1,500cc or un-supercharged if they came in at 4,500cc.

The first races were 311 miles long. In an effort to add additional areas this was changed to 186 miles. One of the most famous races the Monaco Grand Prix was reintroduced thanks to this rule.

The History of Formula 1 Racing

In 1950 the first Formula One Championship was held. This was won by the first champion Giuseppe Farina. Another person of note during this race was Juan Manuel Fangio.

Those who understand the history of Formula One cars and the history of the sport will recognize the Fangio. He is the first person to win the Formula One Championship worldwide over the course of the first decade.

In 1955 the end of the Formula One Championship almost happened as a result of 85 people being killed during the Le Mans 24 Hours Race. During it, a multi car accident became the most horrific in Formula One history.

The History of Formula 1 Racing

In the 1960’s Formula One cars began to increase in popularity over in Britain. During this time Britain produced a star driver by the name of Graham Hill. With the idea that a British could potentially win at a Formula One Championship, an increase in British drivers surged.

During this decade a gentleman named Bruce McLaren introduced the world to the powerful racing team of McLaren and started a remarkable legacy of skill and fine crafted Formula One cars.

When the 1970’s rolled around Formula One cars saw a new change. It was during this era that wings and ground effects were added to the cars to make them faster and more efficient on the track.

Again tragedy hit the Formula One Championship as it lost the brilliant driver McLaren in a testing accident in 1970. But with this tragic event, team McLaren chose to move forward and continue the legacy in his honor. With the pain of the 1970’s in the past, Formula One had hit a new stride. This new generation needed better speeds.

With that in mind, the Turbo era came to be. This was a time when Formula One Cars were designed to go faster and for longer periods.

During this time team McLaren began to dominate the Formula One Championship and their reign remained in full effect until the post Turbo era. Their reign of wins spanned from 1984 - 1991.

The final end to the high speeds of this racing came to an end in 1994 when Ayrton Senna died. Going an alarming 180+ miles per hour he hit a wall and died hours later.

In the years that have followed, speed regulations and safety factors have increased. The sport is still strong and vibrant though as it was in the past.Team McLaren still remains a vital and strong force in the racing world, and continue to take the Formula One Championship.

The only thing that has changed in recent years is an increased level of popularity. Along with that is a deeper understanding and safety for a unique sport.

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