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The distance for Grand Prix races is 305 kilometres, over a course between 3 and 7 kilometres long. The Friday and Saturday mornings of each race weekend are for testing and tuning the cars, with a 1 hour official qualifying period on the Saturday afternoon before the race itself on the Sunday afternoon.
Drivers can drive the course anytime during the hour allocated for qualifying and have a maximum of 12 laps or course circuits to record their quickest qualifying time. This qualifying time in turn decides their position on the race starting grid. The Formula 1 World Championship constitutes of 16 or 17 races between 12 teams of two drivers. The individual World Champion is the driver with the most points at the end of the season.
Equipment
Speed, reliability and safety advances have improved dramatically with the continued technical progresses in the design of Formula 1 cars.
During automobile races, drivers must wear the following clothing and accessories:
Helmets must cover the full face and confirm to the standards set down by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). They must weigh at least 1.2 kilos and be made of composite materials like kevlar or carbon fibre.
Baloclavas must be made of a least two layers of fire-retardant fabric, with the bottom fitting inside the driving suit and remaining tucked in when the head is turned.
Ear plugs must reduce ambient noise, but allow radio contact between the driver and pit crew.
Fire-retardant driving suits which protect the driver from third degree burns must be worn. Additionally ankles, neck and wrists must always be covered by a second layer of protective clothing. A two-piece undergarment is worn covering the neck and usually has a turtleneck.
Knee socks of fire-retardant fabric must weigh at least 180 grams.
Gloves must close at the wrist and cover the ends of the driver’s suit sleeves. The backs of the gloves must also be double-layer fire-retardant fabric.
Shoes must cover the entire foot and ankle, and have non-fusible laces, fasteners and inside materials. Soles must be hydrocarbon and flame-resistant.
History
The first official race took place on a 126 kilometre course between Paris and Rouen in France on 22nd July 1894. The first Grand Prix was held in Le Mans, France in 1906 and the first Formula 1 World Championships were held in 1950.
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