Formula-1 Racing (PART-1)
Formula-1, with a global audience of ~550 million people per race, attracts one of the largest global TV audiences, third only to the Football World Cup and the Olympic games.
And here comes the biggest paradox...
*India has a F1 fan following of nearly 27 million people(which is more than the TV figures for the UK, France, Germany and Italy combined).Thats like nearly 270 lakh people who follow F1 regularly..and I have trouble catching hold of people who have the same craze as I do :-)..where are these people? huh?
Quoting Karun Chandok "If only 0.55% of that audience comes to watch the race, it would give us a crowd of 1,50,000 spectators !!" :-)
I don't recollect when my F1 craze started off, but faintly recollecting, I feel it was when I shifted to Ahmedabad when I was in my 9th or 10th grade.(around 1993-1994) As I mentioned, I don't know who initiated me into watching this sport, but I do recollect blocking my Sunday evenings(typically at 4:30 or 5:30 PM IST), having a nice cup of coffee and snacks and watching the 90 odd minute spectacle unfold !!
And my mom, having to deal with 2 testosterone laden boys who were into following and discussing sports, she too quietly slipped into the groove like a perfect mother and provided a perfect foil as we discussed F1 and its nuances with her and she too eagerly followed the races with us !!
For the sceptics, F1 can be pretty boring, as per them "whats the big deal about 20 cars going round-n-round on a 1.5 km track for one and a half hours..huh?" :-)
Ahh..well..the basic premise is true, but to watch the high-precision cars zip around at speeds in excess of 300 kms/hr, the gear-changes, the pit stops, the team strategies, the adrenaline driven racing and the furious overtaking.....must admit, its one heck of a spectacle to watch !!
Michael Schumacher became my hero and he grew in "God" stature from 2001 through 2004 as Ferrari claimed total dominance in the F1 racing circuit with Schumacher adding championship titles to his kitty.
The only "faintest" chance that I had towards realizing my dream to watch Schumi LIVE in action was probably to go and watch the Singapore F1 GP around the year of 2006-2007 because thats when I had kinda "earned" enough for me to actually fly down and watch the race. :-)
And then Schumi announced his retirement in mid-2006 and I got my onsite assignment in late 2006 and everything got shelved !!
I didn't follow the F1 season in the US, partly due to the fact that the USA wasn't interested in Formula-1 racing and secondly because the race timings were "early morning" times and were tough to follow...so simply used to catch up via news reports.
Back home in India post 2007, it was back to the same schedule and any free Sunday with a GP race would find me at home, watching the race intently...though many of the weekends were spent out-of-town in the last 3 years ;-)...
The excitement was palpable when it was announced early this year that India would be hosting its first F1 race in 2011 towards the end of the season around Oct. The circuit was still "under construction" and as per news reports, it was "subject to approval from the FIA management". Leafed through a lot of sites and reports and could make out that the track construction status was "satisfactory" and everyone was of the opinion that the Indian GP would happen.
In April 2011, the Noida GP circuit was officially christened as the "Buddh International Circuit" and it was given a new circuit logo which consists of a 'B' resembling a heart.
Initially I had planned for the Rs 6,500/- block tickets, but then realized that the tickets were mostly on the "straights" or at some areas around the track which wouldnt be really worth the cost.
And a few add-ons:
Five Boeing 747-400F jets will descend at the Delhi T2 terminal, dedicated for the event, and fly in 24 racing cars (two for each of the 12 teams), engines, tyres and spares, racesensitive equipment like high-tech gadgets, TV equipment, computers, radio sets and timing equipment, besides equipment that will connect the drivers and their cars to their support staff throughout the race.
Each team, flying separate jets, is also expected to bring in 100-200 staff. These will include chefs, engineers and telemetry specialists along with specialist staff for tyres, tarmac and fuel — who carry all their stuff to races around the world — and a huge amount of food and stationery
Btw, loved these graphics which describes the pit-stop action and the super-crew behind the high-precision super-fast exercise(changing the nose, wheels, refuelling, all under 10 seconds), so adding this for reference with the risk of making my post boring for the "not-so-die-hard-F1-fans" :-D..
Pit stop
The job in the pits is one of the most pressured in the world of Formula One. Pit stops have become more and more important over the last years. Since overtaking moves are rarer than ever, pit stops have become the prime opportunities to gain places. A pit stop, though, is never as easy as it looks. For seven seconds, if all goes well, the drivers' changes in the race are in the hands of his pit crew.
Pit stop guide
Step 1
The driver enters the pit lane at full speed but brings the speed down to the pit lane speed limit of 80km/h (60km/h in a very tight pit lane, like in Monaco). As he crosses the pit lane line, he engages a pit lane speed limiter that electronically prevents the car from accelerating above the speed limit. Selecting the limiter, the fuel filler flap automatically pops open. The driver has to stop exactly on the marks painted on the pit lane so the mechanics lose no time repositioning themselves. When the car stands still, the driver sets it in neutral and keeps his foot on the brake so that the wheels don't turn as the wheel nuts are spun loose.
Step 2
The car is lifted up onto its jacks as the mechanics remove the wheels and the fuel hose is attached.
Step 3
As the fuel is going in, new wheels are attached and the mechanics raise their arms in the air to show they have finished.
Step 4
As all the four wheels have been changed, the car is lowered to the ground and the last fuel is pumped in. The driver is shown a board (the lollipop) telling him to engage first gear.
Step 5
The fuel hose is detached and the car is ready to go.
Step 6
The driver is waved away by the lollipop man. As the car is leaving the pits, the fuel flap automatically closes if the driver again pushes the speed limiter button.
F1 rules keep changing every year and I closely followed the changes and kept adapting ;-)..
Although for "die-hard" fans like me, the decision of stopping the "refuelling during pit stops" was a big blow because I felt that it kind of took away the fun of "team strategy", i.e. cars running a heavy fuel load and taking less pit-stops or running a light fuel load and move ahead of the pack and take more "shorter" pit stops.....all this was fun to watch !!.
What is Formula One racing?
F1 is considered the most prestigious form of racing in the world. It is governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, or FIA, based in France. The cars are lightweight, aerodynamic, extremely fast — and among the most difficult to master in all of racing.
What kind of cars race in F1?
F1 race cars are single-seat, open-wheel race cars, meaning the wheels and tires are outside the car's body, with the engine behind the driver's cockpit. Today's Formula One cars use 2.4-liter V8 engines that produce about 700 horsepower and can exceed 200 mph.
Who competes in F1?
Current teams include Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Renault, BMW, Lotus and other automobile companies. Some of the most famous drivers in the world compete, including Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
What car technology has come from F1?
F1 is considered the most high-tech form of auto racing. Many advancements in F1 technology have been introduced to ordinary cars, including lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber, traction control, "paddle-shifter" transmissions and aerodynamic improvements for better gas mileage.
The Subtle Game of Race Strategy - a High Speed Chess Match
Unlike in many other forms of auto racing, a Formula 1 race often has long periods in which very little track action appears to be taking place. That is, there may not be much passing and wheel-to-wheel fighting. But it's often during these apparently quiet moments that the biggest stakes are being played out in race strategy
Strategy may be broken down into the following aspects: tires, fuel level, pit stops, engine revs, grid position and the nature of the specific track itself. Depending on the way these elements are used and calculated, the winning car is not always the fastest in terms of raw speed or passing on the track.
A Driver Too is a Big Part of Race Strategy
Strategy not only requires calculation from the team, it also requires perfect execution by the driver. At precisely the moment his team asks him to, he must speed up and pass straggling cars. His pit lane entry and exit must be perfect to reduce the time of his pit stop.
Strategy as Viewing Pleasure
For many spectators strategy is a source of aesthetic pleasure, as watching a game of chess is to a Grand Master. Although there is not much action on the board in a chess game, it is the mental action of outwitting the adversary that pleases the spectator.
Anatomy of a Formula-1 event:
More Than a Two-Hour Race on Sunday, a Grand Prix is a Weeklong Happening
A Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend is a lot more than just a 1 1/2 to 2-hour race on Sunday afternoon. In fact, it's a lot more than just a weekend.
Although race day Sunday is the high point of the cycle, it is also the day when the least amount of business is carried out for most people at the track
Monday-Tuesday: The Setup
On the Monday before a race, crew members of the 11 teams travel by truck/flights across the world from their home base to the various tracks - in such places as Monza, Italy, Magny-Cours, France and Budapest, Hungary - and begin setting up the teams' motor homes and garages
Wednesday-Thursday: Send in the Mechanics
The racing cars arrive in pieces and mechanics put them together by Thursday, when they undergo inspection to make sure that they conform to the technical regulations. The race team crewmen also practice pit stops outside their garages.
Most of the drivers, and the media arrives. The International Automobile Federation, the sport's governing body, holds a press conference in the afternoon, with drivers or other team members. Teams also offer interviews with drivers at their motor homes.
Friday: Track action Begins, Press Conferences continue
10:00 - 11:30: First free practice. It does not count for a grid position. The time is used to set up the cars for qualifying and for the race.
2:00 - 3:30: Second free practice. Same as above. Another FIA press conference takes place after the second practice
Saturday: More Track Action and Meet the Press
11:00 - 12:00: Saturday free practice. Preparation for qualifying.
2:00 - 3:00: Qualifying. Drivers try to set the fastest lap possible to obtain the best grid position for the race start.
On both Friday and Saturday, teams also allow the media to conduct interviews with their drivers and staff in their motor homes and hold special events with their sponsors
Sunday: Race Day
At just about every Grand Prix location, the race takes place at 2:00 pm. There are some exceptions, such as in Silverstone, England, where the race is an hour ahead, in order to be aired on television screens in Europe at 2:00.
Races run an average of 190 miles, which usually takes about 1 1/2 hours. If they are run during a rain storm, they take longer. But the rules stipulate that a race cannot run any longer than 2 hours, so even with several laps remaining a race will be stopped at that point and the leader is declared the winner.
After the race the top three drivers receive trophies on the victory podium, then take part in a television press conference, followed by one for the print media.
Monday: Post-race-Its still not over
During the race itself, teams already begin to dismantle their motor homes and pack equipment into their trucks. But the process of packing up the paddock goes on into the next day and beyond, before the trucks head back across Europe to either the team factory, or, if the next race runs on the following weekend, to the next venue
Wheww...well, it kinda started off as a blog, but has turned into a "boring" article about F1 and its nuances :-)...anyways will keep it for posterity as a ready-reckoner for F1.
And here comes the biggest paradox...
*India has a F1 fan following of nearly 27 million people(which is more than the TV figures for the UK, France, Germany and Italy combined).Thats like nearly 270 lakh people who follow F1 regularly..and I have trouble catching hold of people who have the same craze as I do :-)..where are these people? huh?
Quoting Karun Chandok "If only 0.55% of that audience comes to watch the race, it would give us a crowd of 1,50,000 spectators !!" :-)
I don't recollect when my F1 craze started off, but faintly recollecting, I feel it was when I shifted to Ahmedabad when I was in my 9th or 10th grade.(around 1993-1994) As I mentioned, I don't know who initiated me into watching this sport, but I do recollect blocking my Sunday evenings(typically at 4:30 or 5:30 PM IST), having a nice cup of coffee and snacks and watching the 90 odd minute spectacle unfold !!
And my mom, having to deal with 2 testosterone laden boys who were into following and discussing sports, she too quietly slipped into the groove like a perfect mother and provided a perfect foil as we discussed F1 and its nuances with her and she too eagerly followed the races with us !!
For the sceptics, F1 can be pretty boring, as per them "whats the big deal about 20 cars going round-n-round on a 1.5 km track for one and a half hours..huh?" :-)
Ahh..well..the basic premise is true, but to watch the high-precision cars zip around at speeds in excess of 300 kms/hr, the gear-changes, the pit stops, the team strategies, the adrenaline driven racing and the furious overtaking.....must admit, its one heck of a spectacle to watch !!
The sound of the cars as they tear around the circuit would be one of the "sweetest" sounds to listen to and the thrill that you feel on hearing it really needs to be experienced, I guess.
The only "faintest" chance that I had towards realizing my dream to watch Schumi LIVE in action was probably to go and watch the Singapore F1 GP around the year of 2006-2007 because thats when I had kinda "earned" enough for me to actually fly down and watch the race. :-)
And then Schumi announced his retirement in mid-2006 and I got my onsite assignment in late 2006 and everything got shelved !!
I didn't follow the F1 season in the US, partly due to the fact that the USA wasn't interested in Formula-1 racing and secondly because the race timings were "early morning" times and were tough to follow...so simply used to catch up via news reports.
Back home in India post 2007, it was back to the same schedule and any free Sunday with a GP race would find me at home, watching the race intently...though many of the weekends were spent out-of-town in the last 3 years ;-)...
The excitement was palpable when it was announced early this year that India would be hosting its first F1 race in 2011 towards the end of the season around Oct. The circuit was still "under construction" and as per news reports, it was "subject to approval from the FIA management". Leafed through a lot of sites and reports and could make out that the track construction status was "satisfactory" and everyone was of the opinion that the Indian GP would happen.
In April 2011, the Noida GP circuit was officially christened as the "Buddh International Circuit" and it was given a new circuit logo which consists of a 'B' resembling a heart.And Airtel also confirmed the sponsorship of the event as the official sponsor of the Indian GP scheduled on Oct 30th at the Jaypee Sports Group F1 circuit in Greater Noida.
Again I was in a dilemma "to go or not to go"....all-in-all, the deal was too tempting...my first ever LIVE F1 race, that too in namma own country India and the chance to see Schumacher again "in flesh and blood" :-)
P.S: not that Schumi was in the best of forms after his comeback...it was a very pale return to F1 for him...not sure if its either his age or the upcoming young blood...anyways Schumacher seemed like a "mortal" after his 2nd stint and wasnt at his impressive best, finishing in the 5-10 position bucket since the last 2 years.
And then the same feeling that I had, when I had to decide whether to watch 'Sting' LIVE in concert in Bangalore in 2005 (already have a post for that which i will publish soon) and was reminded of this quote which I had followed earlier :-)..
"Though this be madness, there is method in it" --William Shakespeare
So decided to go for it, because I knew there would be no second chance and being the first ever F1 GP in India...I so so desperately wanted to go for it..
Tried to convince Aniyan to join us but somehow that "moron"(yes Aniya,thats you :-P) blabbered something about prices and the "cost factor" and slithered his way out of it :-( (as if he regularly puts a price-tag on everything!!). Coaxed him a couple of times, but all he mumbled was "hmm..no..next year" and finally I dropped the idea of cajoling him. The point to be noted here is that his best buddy had invited him for the Singapore GP(Sep) and he was planning to get his passport done and watch F1's only night-race of the season...but thanks to his procrastination, that remained a dream for him....and I thought atleast he would be IN for the Indian GP...but alas !! ;-)..
Abhaya was not much into F1 and I somehow convinced her to tag along for company and I promised her that I would brief her everything about the sport so that atleast she would have some kinda interest and listen onto all my bantering about the race tactics and teams and strategies.
The ticket sales were through "BookMyShow" which started off around September and their web-site was a very detailed one with complete details about the event and I started my research on it. As this was the first ever race, we had no idea about the track setup and the seating arrangements and all we had was the "track graphic" which showed the different stands and a brief description about the same.
Initially I had planned for the Rs 6,500/- block tickets, but then realized that the tickets were mostly on the "straights" or at some areas around the track which wouldnt be really worth the cost.Its no fun seeing a F1 car just zip around at 300 kmph and all you see is the trailing smoke and the screaming sound of it just whizzing past you in a blur !! :-D
So finally settled in for the Rs 8,500/- East Star Stand tickets (which is at Turn-4 described as Critical Point Braking-slipstream galore with braking from 300 kmph after a 1.2 km straight, with lots of overtaking on the sweeping right hander)
As per the track diagram, we hope to get a view of the cars coming in down the straight and then they will take a hairpin-U turn before accelerating down the track...so it seems like a decent place to sit !!
Here is a sample ticket(just got my hands onto them today !!)
The entire deal(including the flight and race tickets) has burnt a big hole in our pockets, but from the bottom of my heart, I know that its gonna be one the best ever experiences that I am gonna have in my life ever. :-)
Our plan is to reach Delhi on Saturday evening(yes, we will be missing both Practice and Qualifying on Fri and Sat respectively as we plan to go to Delhi via Indore after a bit of socializing), stay over at Binduoppol's place and then go down to the circuit on Sunday morning race-day..
And a few add-ons:
- Metallica is coming down to India for the first time ever and they are performing in Delhi on 28th Oct as part of the F1 Rocks concert !!
- Lady Gaga also has a gig planned during the F1 race weekend in one of the hotels in Delhil
- A host of celebrities and Page-3 people are expected to turn up at the event.
P.S: I will pen down the Part-2 of this F1 post series after I return back after the race with the actual race experience !! :-)
Till then..zip, zap..vrooooommmmm !!!
Before I wrap this post up, a few mind-boggling stats and numbers as part of the F1 pre-race logistics...read on !!
Till then..zip, zap..vrooooommmmm !!!
Before I wrap this post up, a few mind-boggling stats and numbers as part of the F1 pre-race logistics...read on !!
Five Boeing 747-400F jets will descend at the Delhi T2 terminal, dedicated for the event, and fly in 24 racing cars (two for each of the 12 teams), engines, tyres and spares, racesensitive equipment like high-tech gadgets, TV equipment, computers, radio sets and timing equipment, besides equipment that will connect the drivers and their cars to their support staff throughout the race.
Each team, flying separate jets, is also expected to bring in 100-200 staff. These will include chefs, engineers and telemetry specialists along with specialist staff for tyres, tarmac and fuel — who carry all their stuff to races around the world — and a huge amount of food and stationery
This will be in addition to the tonnes of cargo — including 30,000 litres of high-octane petrol and furnishings and equipment for hospitality at the paddock club — that have already started arriving by sea and the items being sourced from within the country, including 40,000 litres of diesel from IndianOil.
Btw, loved these graphics which describes the pit-stop action and the super-crew behind the high-precision super-fast exercise(changing the nose, wheels, refuelling, all under 10 seconds), so adding this for reference with the risk of making my post boring for the "not-so-die-hard-F1-fans" :-D..
The job in the pits is one of the most pressured in the world of Formula One. Pit stops have become more and more important over the last years. Since overtaking moves are rarer than ever, pit stops have become the prime opportunities to gain places. A pit stop, though, is never as easy as it looks. For seven seconds, if all goes well, the drivers' changes in the race are in the hands of his pit crew.
Pit stop guide
The driver enters the pit lane at full speed but brings the speed down to the pit lane speed limit of 80km/h (60km/h in a very tight pit lane, like in Monaco). As he crosses the pit lane line, he engages a pit lane speed limiter that electronically prevents the car from accelerating above the speed limit. Selecting the limiter, the fuel filler flap automatically pops open. The driver has to stop exactly on the marks painted on the pit lane so the mechanics lose no time repositioning themselves. When the car stands still, the driver sets it in neutral and keeps his foot on the brake so that the wheels don't turn as the wheel nuts are spun loose.
Step 2
The car is lifted up onto its jacks as the mechanics remove the wheels and the fuel hose is attached.
Step 3
As the fuel is going in, new wheels are attached and the mechanics raise their arms in the air to show they have finished.
Step 4
As all the four wheels have been changed, the car is lowered to the ground and the last fuel is pumped in. The driver is shown a board (the lollipop) telling him to engage first gear.
Step 5
The fuel hose is detached and the car is ready to go.
Step 6
The driver is waved away by the lollipop man. As the car is leaving the pits, the fuel flap automatically closes if the driver again pushes the speed limiter button.
F1 rules keep changing every year and I closely followed the changes and kept adapting ;-)..
Although for "die-hard" fans like me, the decision of stopping the "refuelling during pit stops" was a big blow because I felt that it kind of took away the fun of "team strategy", i.e. cars running a heavy fuel load and taking less pit-stops or running a light fuel load and move ahead of the pack and take more "shorter" pit stops.....all this was fun to watch !!.
What is Formula One racing?
F1 is considered the most prestigious form of racing in the world. It is governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, or FIA, based in France. The cars are lightweight, aerodynamic, extremely fast — and among the most difficult to master in all of racing.
What kind of cars race in F1?
F1 race cars are single-seat, open-wheel race cars, meaning the wheels and tires are outside the car's body, with the engine behind the driver's cockpit. Today's Formula One cars use 2.4-liter V8 engines that produce about 700 horsepower and can exceed 200 mph.
Who competes in F1?
Current teams include Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Renault, BMW, Lotus and other automobile companies. Some of the most famous drivers in the world compete, including Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
What car technology has come from F1?
F1 is considered the most high-tech form of auto racing. Many advancements in F1 technology have been introduced to ordinary cars, including lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber, traction control, "paddle-shifter" transmissions and aerodynamic improvements for better gas mileage.
The Subtle Game of Race Strategy - a High Speed Chess Match
Unlike in many other forms of auto racing, a Formula 1 race often has long periods in which very little track action appears to be taking place. That is, there may not be much passing and wheel-to-wheel fighting. But it's often during these apparently quiet moments that the biggest stakes are being played out in race strategy
Strategy may be broken down into the following aspects: tires, fuel level, pit stops, engine revs, grid position and the nature of the specific track itself. Depending on the way these elements are used and calculated, the winning car is not always the fastest in terms of raw speed or passing on the track.
A Driver Too is a Big Part of Race Strategy
Strategy not only requires calculation from the team, it also requires perfect execution by the driver. At precisely the moment his team asks him to, he must speed up and pass straggling cars. His pit lane entry and exit must be perfect to reduce the time of his pit stop.
Strategy as Viewing Pleasure
For many spectators strategy is a source of aesthetic pleasure, as watching a game of chess is to a Grand Master. Although there is not much action on the board in a chess game, it is the mental action of outwitting the adversary that pleases the spectator.
Anatomy of a Formula-1 event:
More Than a Two-Hour Race on Sunday, a Grand Prix is a Weeklong Happening
A Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend is a lot more than just a 1 1/2 to 2-hour race on Sunday afternoon. In fact, it's a lot more than just a weekend.
Although race day Sunday is the high point of the cycle, it is also the day when the least amount of business is carried out for most people at the trackMonday-Tuesday: The Setup
On the Monday before a race, crew members of the 11 teams travel by truck/flights across the world from their home base to the various tracks - in such places as Monza, Italy, Magny-Cours, France and Budapest, Hungary - and begin setting up the teams' motor homes and garages
Wednesday-Thursday: Send in the Mechanics
Most of the drivers, and the media arrives. The International Automobile Federation, the sport's governing body, holds a press conference in the afternoon, with drivers or other team members. Teams also offer interviews with drivers at their motor homes.
10:00 - 11:30: First free practice. It does not count for a grid position. The time is used to set up the cars for qualifying and for the race.
2:00 - 3:30: Second free practice. Same as above. Another FIA press conference takes place after the second practice
Saturday: More Track Action and Meet the Press
11:00 - 12:00: Saturday free practice. Preparation for qualifying.
2:00 - 3:00: Qualifying. Drivers try to set the fastest lap possible to obtain the best grid position for the race start.
On both Friday and Saturday, teams also allow the media to conduct interviews with their drivers and staff in their motor homes and hold special events with their sponsors
At just about every Grand Prix location, the race takes place at 2:00 pm. There are some exceptions, such as in Silverstone, England, where the race is an hour ahead, in order to be aired on television screens in Europe at 2:00.
Races run an average of 190 miles, which usually takes about 1 1/2 hours. If they are run during a rain storm, they take longer. But the rules stipulate that a race cannot run any longer than 2 hours, so even with several laps remaining a race will be stopped at that point and the leader is declared the winner.
After the race the top three drivers receive trophies on the victory podium, then take part in a television press conference, followed by one for the print media.
Monday: Post-race-Its still not over
During the race itself, teams already begin to dismantle their motor homes and pack equipment into their trucks. But the process of packing up the paddock goes on into the next day and beyond, before the trucks head back across Europe to either the team factory, or, if the next race runs on the following weekend, to the next venue
Wheww...well, it kinda started off as a blog, but has turned into a "boring" article about F1 and its nuances :-)...anyways will keep it for posterity as a ready-reckoner for F1.
