This FAQ is posted approximately every 3 weeks. The subject will always be the same. If you do not want to retrieve it, kill the subject. Thanks to the following people who, amongst others, have had contributions culled to make the FAQ. Martin Schmidt, Lutz Goerke, Mark Jackson, Jon Petersson, Pete Fenelon, David Betts, Kim Andrews, Rob, Rui Pedro Mendes Salgueiro, Thomas Gmuer, Paul Winalski, Ken Fletcher, Ian Hill, Brian Lawrence, Mark J Frusciante. Apologies to anyone who's name I've missed - it's not deliberate! The FAQ may not have answers to everything you need (and some sections may currently be totally empty) - it is just a collection of *frequently* asked questions, not the answers to everything ;-) Corrections and additions are especially welcome. The FAQ is divided into several sections. 1. Rules, regulations and governing body 2. The teams and cars 3. The drivers 4. The races 5. The circuits 6. Television 7. Sponsors 8. Manufacturers 9. Miscelaneous 1. Rules and Regulations and Governing Body =========================================== Q: Who is the governing body of Formula 1? A: The FIA, who are based in Geneva. Q: Where can I find the regulations to Formula 1? A: The FIA's web site has the technical and sporting regulations. See http://www.fia.com Q: Where can I see the Concorde Agreement? A: The Concorde Agreement is a secret document between the teams and the FIA that governs how the money is divided amongst other things. The text of the agreement is kept secret. Q: Who owns F1? A: The television rights are owned by Formula One Administration, which in turn is owned by SLEC. SLEC is owned in turn by a family trust for the Ecclestone family. Recently a 12.5% stake in SLEC has been sold to Morgan Grenfell, who (along with Benetton) have an option for a further 37.5%. FOA is run by Bernie Ecclestone. Q: Who runs F1? A: The FIA. The president of which is Max Mosley. 2. The teams and cars ===================== Q: When was the last time a privateer won a race? A: The last privateer to win a GP was Jo Siffert in the Walker Lotus at Brands Hatch in 1968. There has never been a privateer World Champion. Moss came closest in the Rob Walker-entered Cooper in 1959 when he finished third. The current Mugen-Honda engine in the back of the Jordan is a factory engine in all-but-name. The last World Champion to use an off-the-shelf engine was Keke Rosberg. Q: Who owns which team in 2000 McLaren - TAG/Mansouer Ojjeh and Ron Dennis (60/40). Options on shares in the TAG-McLaren has recently been signed with Mercedes (30/30/40). Prost - Alan Prost, and LVMH now owns around 20% of the team Jordan - Eddie Jordan and Warberg Pincus. Williams - Frank Williams and Patrick Head (said to be 80/20). BMW is believed to now own a stake in the team, but this has been denied by all. Minardi - Gabrielle Rumi owns most of the team (70%). The rest is known as the "Minardi Holding" and the ownership of this is unknown. Giancarlo Minardi is believed to have a stake in it. Telefonica were rumoured to have bought a stake, but this has been denied by Minardi and Telefonica. BAR - Depending on the source, you can perm any of BAT (c.50%), Craig Pollock, Jacques Villeneuve, Adrian Reynard, and Jerry Forsythe. Craig Pollock and JVs stake is through Mount Eagle (according to press reports). Jerry Forsythe is believed to own 15%. Ferrari - FIAT Arrows - Tom Walkinshaw (25%) and Morgan Grenfell (50%) with 25% awaiting a buyer. TWR Group is a technical partner. Jaguar - Ford Sauber - Red Bull Holdings and Peter Sauber Benetton - Investmenti 21 (Part of the Benetton Group) Q: Is it true that there was a 6-wheel F1 car that won a race? A: It's a Tyrrell - the P34. Just the one win, at Anderstorp (Swedish Grand Prix) in 1976, for Jody Scheckter with Depailler second. A development of the was car raced in '77 by Depailler (best result 2nd in Canada) and Ronnie Peterson (best result 3rd in Belgium). The Tyrrell project 34 had small, 10 inch diameter front wheels that could be completely hidden behind the front cowling then in common use on F1 cars. This removed the front wheels from the airstream and thus reduced drag significantly, resulting in the car going faster. The problem was that the tiny front wheels didn't provide enough surface area for proper braking. The way around this was to use 4 front wheels instead of the usual 2. The car was pretty successful in its first year and actually won 1 race. It was less successful in its second year because the more complicated 4-wheel front suspension assembly added a lot of weight, and Goodyear wasn't keeping up on tire development of the 10" tires. Tyrrell went back to a conventional, 4-wheel car the next year. March also made some experiments with a 6 wheel car in 1977. The Williams 6-wheeler was developed in 1980. The idea this time was to extend the area under the car available to venturi tunnels and to allow the rear wing to be mounted further back on the car. The cars were built and tested, but right about the time that they were ready to race the FIA came out with new regulations restricting F1 cars to 4 wheels mounted on 2 axles, so it never raced for the FIA World Championship. The cars still exist and have appeared in several historic races. If I recall correctly, a Williams 6- wheeler won a historic race sometime in the last few years. Photos of the Williams at: http://www.ibmpcug.co.uk/~dolomite/f1/willmus/Wilmus9.jpg http://www.ibmpcug.co.uk/~dolomite/f1/willmus/Wilmus8.jpg Q: Is it true about a "fan car"? A: This was an idea borrowed from Jim Hall's Chaparral CanAm cars. The idea was to put skirts on the sidepods to seal the undercar area, then to mount an extractor fan at the back to remove the air under the car, thus sucking it down onto the track. To get around the "moveable areodynamic device" ban, Brabham claimed that the fan was there to help cool the engine. Whilst this wasn't false, it wasn't the full reason behind the fan; the car actually squatted down onto the track if you blipped the throttle while it was stationary. But its biggest problem is that it was very successful, so all the other teams protested. There was also one legitimate (IMO) concern--the fan tended to pick up debris from the track and blow it into the face of a driver following closely. In any event, the car was very soon banned by the FIA because the fan was ruled to be an aerodynamic aid not in a fixed position relative to the sprung part of the car. Q: Why were Tyrrell thrown out of the 1984 championship? A: This is from Autocourse: "In the afterglow of 1984's chase-the-McLaren story, the FISA-versus-Tyrrell affair still rankles as being as distasteful as it was ill-considered. Whether or not Tyrrell was plying his 012 cars with lead ballast during a late-race pit stop or - and this is more far-fetched - mixing additive to the water injected into the engine to ward off piston and valvegear failures has become a moot case. What is more relevant is not only the way that FISA conducted his trial - for example, introducing fresh evidence at an appeal hearing and barring Tyrrell from approaching expert witnesses who had analysed water samples for FISA - but also the severity of the fine. If Andrea de Cesaris and Niki Lauda have their practice times discounted on the days at Dijon and Dallas where the Ligier was found to be running with an empty fire extinguisher bottle and the McLaren declared to have a rear wing 2mm too wide, then excluding Tyrrell from the World Championship for infringements committed during Martin Brundle's gutsy drive to second in Detroit ranks as a kneejerk reaction of an inappropriate magnitude. But the decision was final, costing Tyrrell his FOCA membership and USD 1,000,000 in concessionary travel arrangements to transcontinental races. Underlying the season had been the backstage arguments over the proposed 195-litre fuel capacity maximum intended for 1985: to stick at the current 220-litre allowance required team unanimity - and Ken Tyrrell was the only dissenting voice. Naturally, after he was barred from the Championship, so 220 litres became a fixed part of the '85 technical regulations, neatly, tidily and with no outward fuss." Q: Who won the constructors championship in 19xx? A: 1999 - Ferrari (I) 1998 - McLaren (GB) 1997 - Williams (GB) 1996 - Williams (GB) 1995 - Benetton (GB) 1994 - Williams (GB) 1993 - Williams (GB) 1992 - Williams (GB) 1991 - McLaren (GB) 1990 - McLaren (GB) 1989 - McLaren (GB) 1988 - McLaren (GB) 1987 - Williams (GB) 1986 - Williams (GB) 1985 - McLaren (GB) 1984 - McLaren (GB) 1983 - Ferrari (I) 1982 - Ferrari (I) 1981 - Williams (GB) 1980 - Williams (GB) 1979 - Ferrari (I) 1978 - Lotus (GB) 1977 - Ferrari (I) 1976 - Ferrari (I) 1975 - Ferrari (I) 1974 - McLaren (GB) 1973 - Lotus (GB) 1972 - Lotus (GB) 1971 - Tyrrell (GB) 1970 - Lotus (GB) 1969 - Matra (F) 1968 - Lotus (GB) 1967 - Brabham (GB) 1966 - Brabham (GB) 1965 - Lotus (GB) 1964 - Ferrari (I) 1963 - Lotus (GB) 1962 - BRM (GB) 1961 - Ferrari (I) 1960 - Cooper (GB) 1959 - Cooper (GB) 1958 - Vanwall (GB) 3. The drivers ============== Q. Who drove for whom in 1999? A. Here are names and nationalities of drivers nominated for the season. West McLaren Mercedes: 1. Mika Häkkinen (SF) 2. David Coulthard (GB) Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 3. Michael Schumacher (D) 4. Eddie Irvine (GB) Winfield Williams Supertec 5. Alessandro Zanardi (I) 6. Ralf Schumacher (D) Benson & Hedges Jordan Mugen-Honda 7. Damon Hill (GB) 8. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (D) Mild Seven Benetton Playlife 9. Giancarlo Fisichella (I) 10. Alexander Wurz (A) Red Bull Sauber Petronas 11. Jean Alesi (F) 12. Pedro Paolo Diniz (BR) Arrows 14. Pedro de la Rosa (E) 15. Toranosuke Takagi (J) Stewart-Ford 16. Rubens Barrichello (BR) 17. Johnny Herbert (GB) Gauloises Prost Peugeot 18. Olivier Panis (F) 19. Jarno Trulli (I) Fondmetal Minardi Ford 20. Luca Badoer (I) 21. Marc Gené (E) British American Racing 22. Jacques Villeneuve (CDN) 23. Ricardo Zonta (BR) Q. Who is driving for whom in 2000? A. Here is the provisional entry list released by the FIA, which is however subject to change by the teams up to 4 PM on March 9. West McLaren Mercedes: 1. Mika Häkkinen (SF) 2. David Coulthard (GB) Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 3. Michael Schumacher (D) 4. Rubens Barrichello (BR) Benson & Hedges Jordan Mugen-Honda 5. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (D) 6. Jarno Trulli (I) Jaguar Racing 7. Eddie Irvine (GB) 8. Johnny Herbert (GB) BMW Williams F1 BMW 9. Ralf Schumacher (D) 10. Alessandro Zanardi (I) Mild Seven Benetton 11. Giancarlo Fisichella (I) 12. Alexander Wurz (A) Gauloises Prost Peugeot 14. Jean Alesi (F) 15. Nick Heidfeld (D) Red Bull Sauber Petronas 16. Pedro Paolo Diniz (BR) 17. Mika Salo (SF) Arrows Supertec 18. TBA 19. TBA Minardi 20. Marc Gené (E) 21. TBA Lucky Strike Reynard British American Racing BAR Honda 22. Jacques Villeneuve (CDN) 23. Ricardo Zonta (BR) Q: Who won the drivers championship in 19xx? A: 1999 Mika Hakkinen, SF 1998 Mika Hakkinen, SF 1997 Jacques Villeneuve, CDN 1996 Damon Hill, GB 1995 Michael Schumacher, D 1994 Michael Schumacher, D 1993 Alain Prost, F 1992 Nigel Mansell, GB 1991 Ayrton Senna, BR 1990 Ayrton Senna, BR 1989 Alain Prost, F 1988 Ayrton Senna, BR 1987 Nelson Piquet, BR 1986 Alain Prost, F 1985 Alain Prost, F 1984 Niki Lauda, A 1983 Nelson Piquet, BR 1982 Keke Rosberg, SF 1981 Nelson Piquet, BR 1980 Alan Jones, AUS 1979 Jody Scheckter, ZA 1978 Mario Andretti, USA 1977 Niki Lauda, A 1976 James Hunt, GB 1975 Niki Lauda, A 1974 Emerson Fittipaldi, BR 1973 Jackie Stewart, GB 1972 Emerson Fittipaldi, BR 1971 Jackie Stewart, GB 1970 Jochen Rindt, A 1969 Jackie Stewart, GB 1968 Graham Hill, GB 1967 Denny Hulme, NZ 1966 Jack Brabham, AUS 1965 Jim Clark, GB 1964 John Surtees, GB 1963 Jim Clark, GB 1962 Graham Hill, GB 1961 Phil Hill, USA 1960 Jack Brabham, AUS 1959 Jack Brabham, AUS 1958 Mike Hawthorn, GB 1957 Juan Manuel Fangio, RA 1956 Juan Manuel Fangio, RA 1955 Juan Manuel Fangio, RA 1954 Juan Manuel Fangio, RA 1953 Alberto Ascari, Italy 1952 Alberto Ascari, Italy 1951 Juan Manuel Fangio, RA 1950 Giuseppe Farina, I Q: How many races has y won? A: Here are the top 23 - for others, it's probably best to have a look at Forix (http://www.forix.com) 1. Alain Prost 51 2. Ayrton Senna 41 3. Michael Schumacher 35 4. Nigel Mansell 31 5. Jackie Stewart 27 6. (tie) Jim Clark 25 (tie) Niki Lauda 25 8. Juan Manuel Fangio 24 9. Nelson Piquet 23 10. Damon Hill 22 11. Stirling Moss 16 12. (tie) Mika Hakkinen 14 (tie) Jack Brabham 14 (tie) Emerson Fittipaldi 14 (tie) Graham Hill 14 (tie) Alberto Ascari 13 17. (tie) Jacques Villeneuve 12 (tie) Mario Andretti 12 (tie) Alan Jones 12 (tie) Carlos Reutemann 12 21. (tie) Gerhard Berger 10 (tie) James Hunt 10 (tie) Ronnie Peterson 10 Q: How do you pronounce? A: Coulthard - cool-thard 4. The races ============ Q: Who won x race? Who raced car y in z? A: The best source for this is Forix at http://www.forix.com - it has all the race results for the races since 1950. Q: What is the calendar for 2000? A: Confirmed by vote of the World Motorsport Council (October 26 1999) March 12: Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne) March 26: Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo) April 9: San Marino Grand Prix (Imola) April 23: British Grand Prix (Silverstone) May 7: Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona) May 2: European Grand Prix (Nurburgring) June 4: Monaco Grand Prix June 18: Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal) July 2: French Grand Prix (Magny Cours) July 16: Austrian Grand Prix (Spielberg) July 30: German Grand Prix (Hockenheim) August 13: Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest) August 27: Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps) September 10: Italian Grand Prix (Monza) September 24: American Grand Prix (Indianapolis) October 8: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka) October 22: Malaysian Grand Prix (Kuala Lumpur) Q: Why does the Monaco Grand Prix move around in the calendar? A: The Thursday of the Monaco meeting is Ascension Day, and therefore moves with Easter. Q: What time is qualifying and the race? A: Qualifying is 13:00 local time, and the race begins at 14:00 local time. The only exception has been Monaco, which had different times to fit in with Prince Ranier's lunch. More information, including race starting times, can be found at http://www.atlasf1.com/news/1999calendar.htm - the times are likely to be the same in 2000. 5. The circuits =============== Q: What circuits are rumoured to be getting races? A: Recently we've had rumoured races in Sweden, China, South Africa, Holland, Portugal and Lebanon. The most recent is Sheremetevo Airport, Moscow. Q: Where can I find maps of the circuits used this season? A: http://www.f1-live.com/1999/circuits/circuits99GB.html is one source. 6. Television ============= Q: I've heard about digital or pay-per-view F1. How does that work? A: In Germany they have 6 feeds (I think in some countries they have 7) - Supersignal (similar to the world feed) - Back Field - Cockpit (the whole race from different cockpits; very interesting angles, e.g. in the rear mirror showing the driver) - Pits/Highlights/Interviews (already during the race) - Race data (the same as the teams and commentators at the track have) - Multisignal (split screen with the first four signals) You can also switch off the commentary and enjoy the pure sound (in dolby surround). And you get all sessions live including the press conferences. You have to pay 60 DM (it`s more expensive now after premiere joined DF1) and have to pay for tons of B-Movies and shows you don`t want to see. The number of shots is rumoured to be reduced to 3 next year (but that might depend on the country). Bernie is losing an awful lot of money with Digital TV currently and might decide to cut costs. 7. Sponsors =========== 8. Manufacturers ================ Q: Has Jaguar ever been in F1 before? A: Clemente Biondetti drove a Jaguar-engined Ferrari 166 in the 1950 Italian GP. He qualified it 32 seconds (27%) behind Fangio, and retired from the race on lap 17 with a blown engine. When Moss, Dean Delamont and John "Autocar, not Cooper" Cooper were casting about for bits for a new F2 car for him (the project that eventually became the two Cooper-Altas) there was apparently an attempt to secure an experimental 2.0l 4-cyl Jaguar engine for that. Paul Emery fitted a 2.4 Jag engine with fuel injection to his Emeryson special, and did one F1 clubbie in '57. (The car had started life with a linered-down Aston Martin engine for 2.0l F2, then acquired a bored-out Alta for 2.5l F1...) Q: Who owns... ? A: Ilmor - 50% Illien & Morgan, 25% Daimler-Chrysler, 25% Roger Penske. The former have one more vote. 9. Miscellaneous ================ Q: What colour is British Racing Green? A: There isn't just one colour. See David Betts photos for many examples: http://www.zing.com/album/ff/ff/a7/9/ffffa799.html It is also too heavy to be competitive, or too dark for TV, depending on whom you believe! Q: What about drug testing in F1? A: From an FIA statement on 1/10/99 "For several years, the FIA and the FIM have strictly applied the regulations of the International Olympic Committee, with numerous and repeated controls. Both federations are fully prepared to intensify checks should the need arise." Q: Who is Nazir Hoosein? A: Nazir Hoosein is the steward (from India. The (in)famous movie theater owner from Munbai) who was the president of the (3) stewards in Brazil 98, and so he was the one behind the decision to disallow McLaren braking system. Nazir Hoosein was also the president of the stewards in Brazil '97, when the drivers had problems with a white line on the pit entry (they were told at first to not cross it, but they managed to convince the stewards that it was more dangerous to avoid it). You might have noticed that the pit entry since 98 was much longer and the reason is probably to avoid that "problem", which seemed to exist only on Hoosein's head. The Portuguese Autosport also said that he was the one responsible for the tyre stack in Monza 1996. The same newspaper criticized him for several problems in Barcelona 1997, but what they reported was just normal (although quite strict) application of the rules. On the matter of strict application of the rules, he fined heavily Hakkinen, Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve. Apparentely in the case of Jacques an aggravating circusntance is that Hoosein dislikes him, his haircut and his clothes. He is from the Indian high-society and his experience is mostly with administrative matters. He is not an engineer. After the administrative mistake at the British GP in 98, he voluntarilty gave up his Steward licence. He has since had it given back. -- Stephen M Baines http://www.motorsport.org.uk