Vroom......vroom!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Buddh International Circuit
(BIC) at the Gautam Buddh Nagar in Greater Noida is going to be abuzz with
activity this weekend. The 5.14 km long race track which has 16 turns and is spread
over a sprawling 875 acres land has a seating capacity of nearly 100,000. Yes, the
Formula 1 race is back in Indian sub-continent on 25-27 October 2013, and
perhaps for the last time. Two years back the track was first inaugurated amid
fanfare by the Indian Formula 1 champion Narayan Kartikeyan when he warmed up
the track with great enthusiasm igniting the aspirations of lakhs of F1 fans in
India to watch a race live on the track. The track had also received accolades
for its international standards and engineering marvels, and elevated India to
a high profile status in the motor sport world. But now the glory seems to be
short lived as rumours are high and dry this weekend may witness the last race.
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that F1 had a five
year deal with the Jaypee Group and wanted the race to be held in the first
half of the year, whereas Jaypee insisted the race to be conducted in the month
of October. Although the Group had its way in the first two years, with newer
circuits appearing in the calendar and F1 teams reluctant for more races, the Jaypee
Group is expected to conduct the race in March 2014. This obviously is
difficult for the Jaypee Group to conduct a race in October 2013 and March 2014
again, with the race not in 2014 calendar now. Further the Jaypee group has to
shell out $40 million (237.7 crores) for every race towards Buddh International
Circuit as licensing fee to the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
Formula 1 is the highest class of single seated auto racing
sanctioned by the FIA. A typical F1 season includes different
races in a calendar year, called Grands Prix meaning great prizes in French and
is conducted on specially engineered circuits and public roads across different
countries. The race drivers, constructor’s team, track officials, organisers
and circuit should be holders of valid Super licences issued by the FIA. No
doubt it is one of the most glamorous sports.
Success in Formula 1 unlike other sports is not absolutely
dependent on the tenacity and the sportsmanship of the driver. It is a marquee
sport and the long term standing depends on tactfully designing the car based
on latest technological advances by the team, adhering to FIA regulations and the
adroitness of the driver. Hence both of them are felicitated for every victory.
The world championship every year is awarded based on the points procured in
each of the races conducted in the year. Points are awarded at the end of the
race as per the order of finishing the race with the winner receiving 25 points
and the Constructor team receiving a sum of points scored by the team drivers.
These points then get cumulatively added after every race both for the drivers
and constructors.
F1 cars are the fastest multi-turn circuit-racing cars in the
world capable of reaching speeds of 350 kmph and capable of lateral
acceleration of 5g. The front wings of
F1 cars are uniquely designed to generate large amounts of downforce which
allows the car to travel faster through a corner. The overall performance of
the car is dependent on the aerodynamics, suspension and tyres, all of which have
undergone a radical change through the course of the history of the sport. All teams in F1 pump in several millions of
dollars into the research and development in improving the aerodynamics of car.
Recent innovations like KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) and DRS (Drag
Reduction System) are incorporated to enhance driver’s skills especially while overtaking.
The angle of rear wing flap of car is altered, reducing the drag and increasing
the speed in the designated DRS activation zone/s.
Formula 1 is a classical example of precise man-machine
teamwork. It is coordinated magic between science and the human power.
Introduction of pit stops during race in 1994 has changed the tactical strategies
of the game. The strategies are worked out to exploit the variations of
different circuits to maximum advantage. In addition to the use of different tyres,
variable pit stops other variables like the weather forecast, length and number
of pit stops, likelihood of overtaking on certain circuits and possibility of
accidents all these determine the final outcome of the race. To top it all the
incredible skill of the driver in overtaking sometimes changes the final
result.
Logistics
Apart from the racing aspect of it, there are enormous set of
logistics to be worked out. For races within Europe, the cars along with their
telemetry devices are transported in large carriers by road. This becomes
complicated as the race tracks are expanding to different continents. The task
of transporting all the cars, equipment and other components is gigantic and is
done through specially designed cargo crates to facilitate the transport on
cargo planes chartered by the Formula One Management (FOM). These planes fly from
London or Munich. Most people jokingly describe the whole process as similar to
medium sized military campaign.
Pitstops
An important strategy of the race which makes all the
difference is the pit stops. Pit stops are guided by ‘lollipop’ man; named after
its resemblance to the shape. Though the Formula 1 driver receives great attention,
coordinated efforts of a team of mechanics working with millimetre- precision
and alacrity play a significant role in the exemplary race finish. Often the
acts of changing the tyres, damaged parts and adjusting the wings, nose of the
cars are so intricately choreographed to march towards the podium finish. Usually
these pit stops are completed in less than three seconds which speaks of skills
of the mechanics.
Tyres
Yet another indispensible interacting variable between the
car and track are the tyres. It is believed that performance of the tyres
improves with higher temperatures, as high temperatures can make them stickier.
The quality of the rubber used in tyres is decided by the characteristics of
race track. Because of the higher speeds clocked by the F1 cars, durability is
much less. They last for only 120km against the regular road tyres which can
last for 16000km. The composition of sulphur, oil and carbon are varied in the
tyres to have six different varieties. Like the super soft, soft, medium, hard
and two types of wet tyres. Formula one race faces an important challenge when
it comes to racing during wet conditions. The wet tyres are designed to dispel
60 litres of water per second referred to as aqua planning. The tread patterns
are mathematically designed to scrub off maximum water between the tyre track interfaces.
Tyres are filled with special nitrogen-rich air mixture to withstand the
extreme variations in pressures. Fuel used is the ordinary gasoline but tightly
controlled mixture, consumption is 75 litres for 100 kilometres travelled. The game seems to constantly evolving as new
rules are in place every year to ensure maximum safety to the driver. The heart
of the racing is race controls which is responsible for monitoring and
supervising all the stages of practice, qualifying and final race events.
Teams
Currently there are eleven racing teams with each team
sporting two drivers. So, a total of 22 professional drivers compete when the
five red lights illuminate on the gantry marking the start of the race session.
Championship entry fee is USD 500,000 plus USD 5000 per each point scored.
Engines are supplied by suppliers such as Cosworth, Ferrari, Mercedes and
Renault. Formula one has tremendous potential of job creation and has a gross
economic effect as billions of dollars are spent every year in research and
development, up gradation of the engines and in several allied activities. Its
burgeoning popularity worldwide has created wider scope for merchandising its
products. Further the growing craze about this sport has spurred sponsor
investments. It has turned into a lucrative business due to the increased
viewership and the television networks are making swift business. The
exhilarating and hair-raising experience when the fastest cars are skilfully
clinching the narrow serpentine spaces driving diligently to avoid crashes to
catch the corner spots marks the beginning of the exciting Formula 1 race.
Indian Grand Prix has the potential of generating $170
million and can employ 10,000 people. The first edition of the race witnessed
was attended by 90,000 sports enthusiasts but the second edition has registered
mere 75,000. So far the third edition could garner mere 20,000 F1 fans but will
improve as the race day nears; economic slump might be attributed for the poor
opening. The enthusiasm generated by the advent of Formula 1 in India from the
first race appears to have fizzled out very fast. May be alternative promotion
plans must be seriously envisaged for popularising the game among Indian public
for who cricket is still affordable.
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