Formula one driving has its roots, especially in the European Grand Prix Championships of the 1920s and 1930s. Though the roots of the automobile racing are found in the Grand Prix champions in the early 1920s, the modern Formula 1 racing didn’t begin until 1946 when the rules of the racing were standardized by the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile’s (FIA). The new FIA rules were eventually adopted and made into effect in the 1950 World Championship of Drivers.

The history of the racing sports included the evolution of the technical regulations guiding it, aside from the championship series, there are the non-championship Formula 1 races that were held each year with the last one held in 1983 due to the ever-rising costs of the competition. Since the 1960s and 70s, there had been National championships held in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

The Pre-World War 2 History (1940-1950)

The Pre-World War 2 Era of Formula one driving occur in the 1940s when the pre-world war 2 supercharged engines were first created. There were very few events before the 1940s when no active driving competitions were held.

The Era of Front Engine Cars (1950-1957)

The front engine cars were the earliest Formula 1 driving car ever made.  This is the era when the Italian and Mercedes factory-fitted front engines were designed to power the earliest formula one cars.

The Rear Mid-Engine Revolution Era (1958-1961)

This is the era when the British Independent specialists designed the rear-mid engine formula one cars, though, they were more expensive than the front engines but offer more power and are more economical in nature.

The Invention of the 1.5 Liter Engines (1962-1967)

This is the era when the Anglophone drivers, including the Lotus team, decided to run the first Lotus 25, which was powered by the Climax FWMV V8 engine. The Aluminum monocoque was also made to replace the traditional Space-frame design which was more popular then.

The Birth of Sponsorship, Safety, and Aero-Dynamics (1968-1976)

This is one of the most memorable eras in the Formula 1 driving history. It is the era when the first sponsorship deals for Formula 1 races were signed, and it was the era when the 12-cylinder DFV engines were invented.

The Ground-effect Era (1977-1982)

This is the era for some of the most radical technological innovations in the history of Formula 1 sports. The new formula 1 cars designed in this era comes with significantly reduced down-force with less drag. The Lotus 78s were some of the products of this era and were driven by Formula 1 legends-  Andretti Mario and Nilsson Gunnar, who won the 1977 Grand Prix.

The 1.5 Liter Turbo-charged Engines (1983-1988)

This was the era with the invention of the first ever Turbocharged engine race cars. The Bernie Ecclestone team went on to win the 1983 title with the first turbo-charged engine cars. This turbo-charged car was more efficient because they got more [performance form the power train.

The Birth of 3.5 Liter Aspirated Engine Formula 1 Car (1989-1993)

There were great improvements upon the 1.5Liter engine Formula 1 car between 1989 and 1993. The 3.5 Liter aspirated engine car, came with active suspension and numerous electronic driver aids. This car was introduced after the Turbos were banned in the year 1989. The Mclaren Honda is one of the first 3.5L engine cars invented this time and it dominated the Formula 1 for 3 seasons.

New Safety Rules and Regulations Were Enacted (1994)

Due to some deaths and serious injuries recorded in past formula 1 competitions, there was a sudden urge to formulate new safety rules and regulations to protect drivers. With the speed of formula 1 cars rising over the decade, there was a need to ensure that drivers no longer suffer fatal injuries or die. The 1994 rules and regulations guiding formula 1 are still in place today, though some modulations are constantly made.

The Birth of the 3-Liter Engines (1995-1999)

The 3-liter engines were downgraded Formula 1 cars and the first Renault Formula 1 car was designed with this new engine in place. The 3-liter engine cars were unbeatable for several years after launch.

The Birth of the V10 Engine and Road Car Manufacturer Era (2000-2004)

With the banning of Turbo-charged engines in 1989, the V10 engines became the most popular option for the design of modern Formula 1 cars. It was also the era when the BMW started re-asserting itself as the leading Formula 1 racing car contender.

The Birth of 2.4 Liter, V8 Engines (2005-2008)

In 2005, the Ferrari and BAR faded out of sight for a while with the V8 Renault team dominating part of this era. McLaren eventually became stronger in the latter part of this era while Brazil’s Alonso became the youngest F1 winner in the history of the sport.

The Departure of the Factory Teams (2009-2013)

In the early 2000s Formula 1 cars were becoming very complex, though more efficient and reliable. The new rules invented later on saw the reduction in many factory-settings in F1 cars. For instance, maximum engine RPM was lowered from 20,000 to 19000, in 2009 and eventually lowered to 18,000 RPM in 2013.

The Birth of 1.6L Turbo-charged V6 Hybrid Engine (2014 till present day)

Formula 1 eventually entered the second turbo-charged era in the year 2014 The V6 is more powerful but the rules and regulations on limits were modulated. The RPM limit, for instance, was set at 15,000 maximum while the maximum fuel flow was set at a maximum of 100Kg/hr. Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, and Honda are now producing new F1 cars with 1.8L, V6 hybrid engines.

Conclusion

Formula 1 driving has become a lot safer and more competitive since it started before the World War 2 era. Currently, it is considered as the most expensive, yet most financially-rewarding competitive sports in human history. New laws and modulations to F1 cars have ensured that there was more safety for drivers, which means fewer accidents.  It is expected that more powerful engine hybrids will be incorporated into F1 cars in the nearest future and of course new modulations to safety rules and regulations.