Dangers in F1 racing

There are inherent dangers in F1 racing that are worsened by the sport itself. It's obvious that speeding around a track over 100 mph is dangerous, but the design of the car and expectations of wealthy team owners can be just as dangerous. Being a cautious driver in F1 racing isn't as important as being a winning driver. Since safety isn't always the number one priority, the dangers in F1 racing might be ignored. The FIA, Formula One racing's official safety organization, have therefore, imposed a lot of the safety regulations that are in place today.

Ever since the sport of Formula One began in the 1950's, peril has been infused into every part of F1 racing. The main difference between F1 racing and other professional races are the tracks. Most other tracks are simple oval designs that allow gradual turns. The dangerous part of F1 racing is the sharp left and right turns that drivers must make. Also, even those the tracks are closed-circuit, if a driver hasn't practiced sufficiently, the differences of a new track could mean disaster.

Many measures have been put into place to offset the dangers in F1 racing. The earlier of those measures added has been the addition of the helmet for drivers. In the 1970's and 80's, F1 racing helmets started to be designed for drivers. This accessory is necessary considering the lack of protection of the open cockpit. Another helpful safety invention has been head and neck supports. The head and neck support system was put in place to prevent whiplash, which is one of the most common F1 racing injuries. The cockpit, or monocoque of the car, has also been strengthened in recent years to withstand a serious accident. These compartments are made of strong carbon fibre.

A very real danger in F1 racing is on track hazards. Stalled cars, accidents and debris can all mean disaster if a driver is unaware of their existence. Different colored flags are waved during F1 races to indicate certain things. A yellow flag being waved indicates that a car will need to slow down. The driver is also not allowed to overtake another car after seeing this flag. A red flag signifies the premature end of the race, whether temporarily or for good. Finally, a red and yellow striped flag being waved can indicate slippery conditions on a track. There are many other colored flags that guide and warn drivers of the dangers in F1 races.

The safety car has been added to the sport of F1 racing as well. This car keeps the pace of the race going by leading the drivers around the track. This is usually necessary when a hazard has been detected on the track or if a car becomes disabled.

Many technological advances have been made as of late to ensure the safety of F1 drivers. The dangers in F1 racing are always going to exist and persist, so it's important for the industry to respond to those dangers. Safety in Formula One can be easy to attain; even while maintaining the exciting edge of speed and maneuvering.