Formula 1 Equipment List

Formula 1 Equipment

The Formula 1 Racing circuit was created in 1950 and has grown exponentially since that first race was held in Silverstone, England. It went from holding a few races that were included in the championship series around England into a global circuit that includes races across multiple continents. There are a few distinct characteristics of the circuit that make it unique across the racing landscape. Only a maximum of 20 drivers can compete in any one race, forming 10 teams of 2 drivers each. 23 races across the globe encompass Formula 1 each season; 11 of these races take place across multiple countries, including the US, while 12 are held in Europe. 

There are hundreds of pieces of equipment that make up Formula 1 racing, although the few main pieces that are essential to the sport include: the car, the driver, the racing team, and the track. The car is the most important and unique part of the sport, which will be touched on later. It is made up of several different elements, including an engine, tires, wings, etc., all of which combine to create speeds upwards of 200 mph and give excitement to the sport of Formula 1.

However, without drivers, the cars could not race, so they are just as important to the sport and can also be considered equipment. The racing teams that prepare the cars, service them in the pits during a race, and manage the operation of each pair of drivers they have are also an essential part of the premier motorsport. Finally, the tracks that the races are run on are all different and unique, which helps create excitement and popularity as well as a diversity of experiences for different races across the globe. All of these elements are needed to run a Formula 1 race each week of the season.

Read on to learn all about the most important pieces of Formula 1 equipment!

Balaclava

The balaclava is a tight-fitting hood that covers most of the head, face, and neck. It is worn by drivers underneath their helmets. The balaclava is a safety item present in many motorsports. It is intended to protect the driver's face and head from burning in case of a crash, and thus, it is made of fire and heat-resistant fabric. In addition to drivers, the mechanics and pit stop crew also wear balaclavas underneath their helmets during the race. Balaclavas started being used after Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda suffered a fiery accident in which he sustained severe burns, which would have been worse had he not worn the protection.

F1 Cars

Formula 1 cars are the fastest cars in circuit racing, reaching top speeds of well over 200 mph. These machines are designed and produced by the teams that compete in Formula 1, spending a lot of money in the process. While smaller teams spend a minimum of $12 million, big traditional teams such as Scuderia Ferrari can spend up to $400 million a year just on developing their car.

Formula 1 cars are designed to be the fastest possible and to keep the driver safe in case of a crash. Their body panels are made entirely of carbon fiber. Since teams have a lot of money to invest, Formula 1 cars are very technologically advanced and manage to be both fast and safe at the same time. Regulations concerning the format and components of a car change a lot between seasons, and as a consequence, so do the cars.

F1 Car Wings

Wings are aerodynamic components present in every Formula 1 car. There are two types of wings, the front wings, and the rear wings, both made out of carbon fiber, just like the rest of the car. The front wings in a Formula 1 car produce downforce, which keeps the car on the ground. Formula 1 cars are so fast that they can take off into the air, putting the driver's life in jeopardy, and the front wings stop that from happening. The downforce produced by the front wings creates grip between the track and the tires, and so any damage to the front wings will make it harder for the driver to control the car. The rear wing also increases downforce while reducing drag and making the car faster.

Clocks/Stopwatches

Formula 1 is a sport that can be decided in fractions of a second. Teams and drivers spend hours thinking about how they can shorten their lap time because 0.5 seconds (or even less, in some cases) can be the difference between a good racing weekend and a bad one. Being so centered around time, Formula 1 needs to have many accurate timekeeping devices. Clocks and stopwatches are a big part of the sport, and today, Formula 1 uses advanced technology to calculate drivers' times. In addition to that, because of the strong relationship between the sport and time, the best watch manufacturers in the world, such as Rolex, like to associate their brands with Formula 1, and so many sponsor Formula 1 teams, drivers, and races.

Cockpits

The cockpit is where the driver sits in a Formula 1 car. The cockpit is located in the center of the car. It is a rather small space where the driver has access to the many systems he needs to drive the car. Inside the cockpit, the driver sits almost as if they were completely lying down, with their legs stretched up to the front of the car, where the steer and brake pedals are located. Formula 1 teams want to keep the cockpit as light as possible, staying away from too much padding or cushioning. Because of this, Formula 1 cockpits are not particularly comfortable.

Engines

The engine is the heart of a Formula 1 car. It is what gives the car its incredible power and speed. The engine is the most expensive part of a car, costing around $10.5 million. Due to its importance in performance, the engine is the single piece in the car where teams spend the most time and resources working. A Formula 1 engine is very complicated since there is a lot of advanced engineering behind it.

While some teams build their own engines, others buy their engines from other teams or companies. For example, until the 2019 season, the Red Bull Racing Team used an engine built by Renault, who also has a Formula 1 team. Starting in 2019, the team changed its plans, and started getting its engines from Honda, which does not have a Formula 1 team.

Finish Lines

The finish line in Formula 1 marks where the laps of a circuit end as drivers complete the race. Drivers start the race behind the finish line, and after the set time period or number of laps elapses, whoever crosses the finish line first wins the race. On the last lap of a race, when drivers cross the finish line, the famous black and white checkered flag is waived, marking that they have completed the last lap and, consequently, have finished the race.  

Footwear

Like athletes in most sports, Formula 1 drivers need special shoes to drive their cars. Formula 1 shoes are high tops, made of resistant material, and have a rubber sole that provides good grip to the pedals; they sometimes have velcro in place of traditional laces. Drivers try to make their shoes as light as possible, and many times, comfort is secondary. Drivers wear shoes that match the colors of their teams; for example, a Ferrari driver will wear red shoes. Although the specific shoes worn by Formula 1 drivers can't be bought in stores, there are plenty of options for motorsport shoes that can be purchased, with prices ranging from $70 to $200.

Fuel

Fuel is what powers the engine of a Formula 1 car; it is what makes the car itself move. In its effort to become more sustainable, Formula 1 uses a blend between biofuels and petroleum-based fuels in its cars. Formula 1 is making a conscious effort to reduce its environmental impact and to eventually run entirely on biofuel. Other than some small aspects, Formula 1 fuel is quite similar to that acquired in gas stations around the world. However, those small aspects make the fuel more efficient and contribute to making Formula 1 cars faster.

Halo

The halo is a safety device that is attached to the Formula 1 car; it goes around the cockpit and has the objective of protecting the driver's head from any incoming objects that might be flying loose around the track. In Formula 1, pieces from cars can get loose on the track, or, in case of a crash, debris from cars flies around. When driving at speeds over 200 mph, such objects become extremely dangerous and can seriously hurt a driver.

HANS System

The HANS system or HANS device is a piece of safety equipment worn by Formula 1 drivers. HANS stands for Head and Neck Support, and it describes what parts the system protects. The HANS device reduces the force on the driver's head and neck in case of a crash and thus reduces injuries in those areas, which are very sensitive. The HANS System is attached to the helmet by straps, around the collarbone, and over the shoulders. The HANS system is quite light; it is always made of carbon fiber, although they are tailored to each driver's specifications.

Helmets

The helmet is arguably the most important piece of protective equipment that a Formula 1 driver wears. It protects the head from shocks and fire in case of an accident. Helmets have saved many lives in Formula 1 and have seen a remarkable evolution over the years, from a leather cap in the 1930s to an advanced piece of technology today. Helmets are made to be light and safe and go through many tests to be sure they are up to the standards required by Formula 1. Most helmets have a hard carbon composite shell and layers of other materials that help reduce impact.

Formula 1 drivers are the best in the world, so they get the best treatment when it comes to their helmets. Each driver's helmet is made to fit perfectly on their head in a comfortable and safe way. In addition, drivers can paint their helmets as they want, making them a piece of fashion in addition to a safety device. Drivers make their helmets their trademark and have unique and stylish paint designs.

Racetracks And Circuits

A racetrack, or circuit, is the venue where a racing Grand Prix takes place. The Formula 1 season has 22 races, which all take place in different places of the world, with tracks with different characteristics. The Formula 1 season has races with two different types of circuits. First, circuits were designed and built for racing; they are venues with racetracks, and many autosport races take place at these tracks. There are also street circuits on regular roads in the middle of the city, which are closed once a year and adapted to hold a Formula 1 race. One of the most famous races in Formula 1, the Monaco Grand Prix, is a street circuit. 

Racing Gloves

Formula 1 gloves are designed to provide the driver with a grip on the steering wheel while also protecting their hands. The gloves are made of fire-proof, light material with textured palms that helps to provide a secure grip on the steering wheel. In addition to that, like almost everything in Formula 1, racing gloves also have a lot of technology in them. Drivers’ gloves have biometric sensors attached to their fabric that send real-time health information about the drivers to their teams.   Naturally, those gloves are not available to be purchased by the general population, but there are many different types of racing gloves that are sold to those who want to practice motorsports. Prices go from around $50 up to $200.

Racing Suits

Racing suits are what Formula 1 drivers wear when driving their cars. The racing suit is a one-piece that goes from the neck to the ankles. They are made from incredibly lightweight and fire-proof fabric. Race suits are made with the goal of being as light and protective as possible, and today drivers wear their racing suits very tight, saving precious grams in fabric weight. Suits, like helmets, are extensively tested to make sure that they are up to the safety standards required by Formula 1. Drivers have their suits custom-made to their body measurements; they also have their names, number, country, sponsors’ logos, and blood types embroidered on them.  

Safety Harness

Just like a regular car, the cars in Formula 1 have seatbelts. However, unlike regular cars, Formula 1 cars go to speeds of over 200 mph and thus need more than just a regular seat belt to keep drivers safe in the event of a crash. The safety harness in a Formula 1 car is composed of a six-point harness with straps that go over the driver's shoulders, waist, and legs. They are made of military-grade, lightweight polyester, which ensures durability, resistance, and a lightweight design. 

Steering Wheel

The steering wheel in a Formula 1 car is the equipment through which the drivers guide their cars and also have access to many other controls that are important to Formula 1 racing. The steering wheel has a screen and many buttons, each with a different function that the driver uses at different points of a racing weekend. Comparing steering wheels is the ultimate proof of how much technology has influenced Formula 1 over time. While a steering wheel from the early 1990s looked very common and was only used to turn the car, today's steering wheels are advanced computers that look like they belong in an airplane cockpit.

Tire Warmers

Tire warmers are covers in which the car tires are placed so that they stay warm. In Formula 1, it is important to have warm tires, as that way, they have more grip on the asphalt. Tire warmers are not simply blankets, they have technology incorporated into them, and the temperature can be controlled. Formula 1 teams have many tires and, consequently, many tire warmers.

Visor Strips

The visor is a piece of the driver's helmet through which the driver sees the track. Visor strips are thin pieces of protective plastic that attach in layers over the visor. Visor strips come in many models, which vary in reflection and brightness. It comes down to the driver to choose what type of visor to use. Before a race, the driver's helmet is equipped with many layers of visors. During the race, as the visor gets dirty, the driver can remove a strip at any time, always ensuring clear vision of the track.

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