FORMULA 1: THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID

FORMULA 1: THE TOP OF

THE PYRAMID CHARLOTTE MILLER | STAFF WRITER

Are you into cars? Do you like nepotism babies? Do you enjoy lots of drama between grown adults you don’t even know? Well do I have a sport for you: Formula 1.

In caveman terms Formula 1 can be defined as, “Ooga Booga car go fast.” In slightly more technical terms, Formula 1 is a series of races around the world in some of the fastest single-seater cars (not quite the fastest thanks to the Indy 500). It is often viewed as the pinnacle of international motorsport. Who gets to drive these unbelievably fast cars and live this luxurious lifestyle of meeting celebrities and traveling the globe in private jets? It’s exactly who you think it would be: Rich men!

At the top of the pyramid of motorsport, it can be expected that Formula 1 is unbelievably competitive. To reach that level of driving ability it is common for drivers to begin in karting when they are children (starting as young as 3). These karting lessons and competitions come at no small price (read: several thousands of dollars). When a driver shows extreme talent in karting, they can move up to Formula 4. From there they can work their way up through Formula 3 and 2 with the ultimate goal of making it to Formula 1. While Formula 1 salaries are typically in the millions, drivers are actually paying to participate in Formula 4, 3, and 2. Sponsors provide major financial support, but it is common for the driver to still lose money every season. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of these highly trained individuals come from extremely wealthy, and often motorsport involved, families.

In F1, as true fans call the sport, there are ten teams each with two drivers. These teams compete in the Formula One World Constructors’ Championship each year where both drivers’ points are combined to give that team a score. The twenty drivers compete against each other (regardless of team) to compete in the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship. Points are awarded to the top ten finishers in each of the 23 races this year. First place is awarded 25 points, second 18 points, third 15 points, etc.

While these races may seem simple, there are many other factors to be taken into account.Team strategy is one of the more controversial ones. Although each team has 2 drivers, the teams’ main goal is to win the constructors’ and drivers’ championships. This means that sometimes teams will prioritize one driver over the other. This might take form in the driver with less points being told by their team to let their teammate with more points pass them so that the teammate with more points will continue to move up in the driver standings. This could be seen in the 2021 Mercedes team between 7 time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton (finished second in drivers’ standings) and Valterri Bottas (finished third). The treatment of “second” drivers or those who typically perform under their teammate is a hotly debated topic, but it does not seem to stop teams from attempting to maximize points.

Although there are still three races left this season, the title of 2022 Formula One World Drivers’ Champion was secured by Max Verstappen after the Japanese Grand Prix making Verstappen a two time world champion. The title of 2022 Formula One World Constructors’ Champion was also awarded to Verstappen’s team Red Bull Racing after the United States Grand Prix in Austin, TX. While both first place titles have been awarded for the 2022 season, there is still a strong rivalry going on for second and below. So if you’re still interested, steal your friend’s parent’s coworker’s husband’s F1 Network password, and tune in to watch the next Sunday grand prix!