Formula One Racing - Research Paper Example

Formula One Racing Introduction There are different types of car racing all over the world. However, the one which has captured people’s attention is the formula one racing. This race is described by individuals to be the most prestigious auto racing in the world. However, as said earlier, there are different kinds of motorsports racing across the world and while formula one racing may probably be famous in other parts of the world, in the United States, NASCAR is the most popular motorsports racing. Formula ones race cars are considered to have the fastest cars on the planet. This is because of their ability to race at high cornering speed of up to 360 km/h. The sport has received immense support globally and is popularly known in Europe as majority of the racings are done within the continent. However, over years, the scope of the sports has evolved as today racing is being held in different countries like United States and other continents. The sports has garnered support among different fans who in most occasions views the racings conducted by renowned sports men through such media devices like televisions which today is available at every corner of the world (Baer, 1995). This paper therefore, examines formula one racing as an aspect of motorsports. Historical Implications of Formula One Racing Formula one racing has led to major changes in the history of sports racing making the sports to be competitive globally. The idea behind formula one can be traced back to1946 where races concentrating on cars were first brought up and the idea to find the best drivers on the planet initiated. However, this did not come to be immediately until 1950 when the first motorsport race was held. However, after the first motorsports, there were several motorsports championship which were held but they were not given much consideration as there was nothing to be profited from the races conducted. In 1983, the sport was deemed to be unprofitable as drivers were not benefiting from the race leading to shortages on the people who were participating on the race (Baer, 1995). Likewise, most participants in the sports were using their own cars and they solely bore the costs related to the races like vehicle repair and the usual wear and tear. Interestingly, different cars models which were being used for racing purposes back then included Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Meserati and the Mercedes benz (Formula 1®. (n.d.), 2015). Over the years the different car manufactures which were being used in formula one race made technological advancements on their cars. This included new engine and tire types which gave the cars used for racing speed and other advantages. The results of the new changes towards the formula one racing ushered in the introduction of constructor’s championship introduced in 1958. The competition was focused in determining the company which had the best cars in terms of technological improvements. The cars used for racing continued being better and faster over time with the discovery of the aerodynamics which increased the cars cornering speeds and down force leading to an increase in the cost of racing. However, initially accidents were normal occurrences to formula one racing as several cars and drivers were involved in accidents due to the high speeds at which racing cars were invented to posses. The outcome of this was that restrictions were introduced to control the powers of the cars which were being used in racing to avoid causing harm to the drivers who were driving them. Likewise, turbochargers were banned from the cars as this was responsible for the high speeds of the cars leading to accidents. Further on, formula one racing led to the invention of electronic drivers’ aids in 1980s and in 1990s introduction of semi-automatic gearboxes and traction. This was a restriction on the part of the cars used for racing because initially , the speed was an automatic progression and the introduction of the two ensured that drivers were responsible or in control for the speed at which they were driving their racing their cars as it was made possible for them to achieve various speeds progressively. Moreover, formula one racing championship rules were changed continuously over the years. FIA wanted to change and improve on their on-track action while at the same time cut the costs they incurred in sponsoring the formula one races. This was due to the fact that different racing teams were responsible for manipulating different results of races conducted to suit their personal interest (Rubython & Schlegelmilch, 2013). Economical Issues Today, formula one racing has increased employment opportunities for individuals in the motorsports sector. A good example is that the different teams in formula one racing taking care of different needs of the drivers and the racing cars has given employment opportunities to individuals who had no jobs to support them. The staff employed by different teams is responsible for managing a year round program which includes events and activities related to racing. This has led to the growth of individuals who picks careers in the motorsports sector as formula one has provided them with employment and on site opportunities ((Noble & Hughes, 2004). Secondly, expenditure by visitors and teams participating in formula one sport has further increased the revenues collected by different motorsports agencies. These revenues are used in paying staffs and teams which participate in the formula one racing. The end results of this is that drivers and teams have established permanent careers especially in the UK because the sports gives them stable flow of income making some of them best paid sportsmen globally. Moreover, visitors attending motorsports events also contribute to the wider economy on such things like accommodation, food, stadium tickets and drinks at different stadiums or regions where the sports are held. However, withdrawal from formula one racing by major stakeholders like the British Grand Prix affects the sports negatively because formula one racing is forced to introduce new strategies to be able to make various formula ones teams win races. This is always a long and tedious process for formula one racing because they have to use resources in penetrating other untapped locations where the sports can receive similar support like the UK. Moreover, the global slump in the sales of vehicle is posing challenges to formula one racing because different teams participating in races can not accurately determine the amount of revenue to conduct a successful maintenance of their teams. Likewise, different engine manufacturers for formula one are also experiencing the problem of revenue allocation needed to maintain the teams representing them in formula one racing (Noble & Hughes, 2004). Formula one has different sponsors from both financial and insurance sectors. However, the problem is that there is doubt on assured or continued support from the sponsors in the event of failure on the part of the formula one team. Moreover, today’s current economic climate makes it difficult for sponsors to continue funding activities and events conducted by formula one because they too have their own economic issues to solve. A decrease on support from the sponsors in financial and insurance sectors means negative results for formula one team because they will experience challenges in maintaining their teams. Social Issues There are numerous social issues affecting formula one racing. The first issue revolves around the type of advertising involved in formula one racing. Most individuals think of the formula one racing as a sport suitable for all ages. Therefore, when inappropriate advertising is used for formula one racing, majority of the fans are discouraged from attending the events conducted by formula one. This is because formula one racing is normally a family thing for fun and an example is that when a parent sees an inappropriate advertisement relaying sexual messages of formula one racing, his/her perception about the entire race is negatively influenced. Secondly, formula one team is always expected to protect their personality and when they do not stick to this, their contract is always cancelled. This has affected many of the teams participating in the formula one racing. Many of the team’s drivers are young individuals who share the feelings of having fun from different aspects. When they are constantly expected to pretend when in the presence of the public, then they are negatively affected as they do not live their lives to the fullest. The end result of this may be witnessed on their performance in the races they compete in or in their general conduct. Thirdly, the issue of injuries and deaths caused as result of formula one racing has raised questions to the entire essence of the sports. This is because most critics believes that sports should be fun and when such happenings like accidents caused due to racing are witnessed then security of those involved in the process is always questioned. Moreover, this has impacted negatively on formula one racing because most individuals are always afraid to attend racing events because of accidents that may result to injuries and deaths during the race. Lastly, performance as a social issue has greatly affected formula one racing because pressure is always pilled on drivers and teams participating in formula one racing to win the sports or races. This has resulted to malpractices on the field of racing as some teams have affected the results of the races by adopting measures and procedures which are not acceptable by both formula one racing and the society at large. An example of this has involved cheating on the part of the teams and drivers by not following the rules to win the race. Cultural Perspectives Most individuals also view formula one racing as a sport for men and not women. This is because they view women as less stronger beings therefore they deem that women cannot match the status or levels involved in formula one racing. Moreover, they point out to the fact that women cannot withstand the pressure nor the risk involved in formula one process making them less likely successful candidates in the race. In addition, they also believe that women lack the potential of drawing in more sponsors for the formula one racing as they symbolize failure and weakness of the race. This has affected the number of women being witnessed participating in formula one racing as most women are affected to venture into the sector which has been male dominated for a period of time. The trend of women not participating as drivers in formula one racing is however changing because women like Susie Wolff’s have started venturing into the field of motorsports and precisely formula one racing. In addition, Individuals have also grown to develop a perspective that formula one racing is a festival of speed because the events surrounding the races are always orchestrated with new and emerging technologies never witnessed before. Therefore, their purpose of witnessing the races is not always to see the cars racing rather to witness the different speeds at which different drivers are able to drive their cars and the technologies used in building their car parts like the engine. Likewise, individuals have grown to believe that formula one racing have separate days for qualifications. This means that they believe that formula one racing events and races cannot all be conducted at ago as the drivers and teams are tested over specific period of time (Rubython & Schlegelmilch, 2013). Science behind the Technology Being Explored Formula one racing basically centers on the time in every aspect because wasting even a second during the race results to lose of the race. Therefore, formula one team is incorporating different technologies to take advantage of the time issue during races. The Mercedes for example has incorporated the technologies which are to be applied in the next generation of cars and their engines are characterized for beings hybrids and other regulations have also increased fuel efficiency on their racing cars. Different technologies have been incorporated by formula one racing teams to improve on the tire performance for the vehicle, carbon fiber chassis and traction control. They have so far been successful because they have managed to develop racing cars which are characterized to be kinetic energy recovery systems. These cars poses the ability of capturing energy released when the cars are on a break therefore increasing the engine horsepower for the racing cars and the speed at which these cars competes (Noble & Hughes, 2004). Conclusion In conclusion, I am a great fun of formula one racing especially my positive attitude of following all key races conducted related to formula one racing. The essay has discussed formula one racing by pointing at different factors affecting formula one racing and their general impacts to the entire sports. The sport is also popular with individuals in different continents and making it to be one of the most prestigious sports in the history of mankind. The importance of the sponsors in funding formula one racing is also a factor to be considered and encouraged globally because for the continued success of the game, the number of sponsors in the sport should increase rather than decline. It is also important to note that in spite of formula one racings not being popular amongst other countries like the United States, the sport should strive as much as possible to spread their base over a large geographical location than concentrating merely on the UK market. The advanced use of technology in formula one racing is critical because apart from helping formula one team in winning races, they also open new grounds for other breeds of cars which will be economically affordable. As such formula one team and manufacturing companies ensure that issues affecting cars negatively like fuel consumption are addressed. References Baer, T. (1995, July 1). Designing for Formula One racing. (Formula One Grand Prix). Mechanical Engineering-CIME. Formula 1®. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.formula1.com/ Jenkins, M., Pasternak, K., & West, R. (2009). Performance at the limit: Business lessons from Formula 1 motor racing. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Noble, J., & Hughes, M. (2004). Formula One racing for dummies. Indianapolis, Ind: Wiley Pub. Rubython, T., & Schlegelmilch, R. W. (2013). Rush to glory: Formula 1 racings greatest rivalry. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press, an imprint of Globe Pequot Press. Racing School Is Looking for Roads Scholars; Search Is Aimed at Americans to Drive in Formula One. (2002, September 27). The Washington Post. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-370202.html? Read More