Formula One World Champion, the title every racer dreams of, but only a rare few actually achieve. This weekend marks the 1000th World Championship race, with 107 race winners at 71 different race tracks around the world.
Formula One may not have been around for 1000 races, but the whole World Championship dream has been. This weekend, the Formula 1 world celebrates 1000 World Championship races. With 500 million fans around the world, there is no doubt this sport is considered to be the best in the world, especially with the speed, glamour and of course, the racers themselves. Over the years, countless numbers of heroes have raced these tracks, battling for the title of World Champion, some have even paid the ultimate price...
This sport is undoubtedly fast, and dangerous for that matter, but time after time these gladiators choose to battle it out on the world famous race tracks in gorgeously designed machines. They defy every human instinct, flying from corner to corner, all in the hopes of a World Championship, a prestigious goal and title in any sport, especially Formula 1.
1950 sparked the beginning of a new era for the motor sports world with the dawn of the Formula One World Championship, previous to this was a string of Grand Prix's.
The first being held in 1906 in France which was won by the Hungarian, Ferenc Szisz in a Renault. However, these first Grand Prix's were only being enjoyed by a handful of wealthy people along with early motor manufacturers. But this soon changed into a huge spectacle with Grand Prix's being held at multiple different venues around the world accumulating a global fan base.
Formula One has since become the pinnacle of motor sport with its global glamour, high speeds and cutting-edge technology. But this hasn't always been the case, before 1968, aerodynamics and down force wasn't even a thought. Engines were located in front of the drivers, many of whom wore cloth hats. It was only in 1968 that Lotus brought in any hint of aerodynamics, after which, every team was testing aero-wings, whether it be on the front, rear or even above the drivers cockpit. 1980 also brought huge change to the sport with McLaren, in the form of a carbon fibre monocoque. This was a game changer, a life saving revelation.
Along with these revelations came legendary battles between real life superheroes, many of whom are still idolised today.
The evolution of the sport has been immense from the start in 1950, where the track layout was dictated by mere bales of hay and fans were free to roam the race track with no barriers, to the now more familiar way of enjoying racing, whether it be broadcast straight to your television or sitting in the grandstands.
But there is no doubt that Formula 1 and the World Championship dream won't still be dreamt time after time, especially with the fact that there are only 33 world champions in the whole entire history of the world, a selective club, for sure.
Bernie Ecclestone, who was racing in Formula 3 at the dawn of Formula 1 stated, 'There is no reason why Formula 1 shouldn't go on for another thousand races.' Promising words from the man who once ruled over the sport.
Here's to another thousand...
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