| Every Formula 1 car race is run with cars that are | | | | accomplished by adding "wings" or spoilers in strategic |
| very high performance and have certain standards | | | | places on the body, most commonly on the front |
| set down for them by the FIA, or the Federation | | | | and rear. |
| Internationale de l'Automobile. The FIA sets many | | | | However, the car racing teams have recently begun |
| rules for every Formula 1 car racing team. There are | | | | adding additional, smaller spoilers to different areas in |
| several reasons for these rules. | | | | hopes of improving the overall performance of the |
| First and foremost is the need for safety measures. | | | | vehicle. These cars are very light and could easily flip |
| Also, while some margin of flexibility is given to the | | | | if a draft were to get under them at the speeds |
| team constructors to optimize the automobile for | | | | they travel. Because of this, each one of the cars |
| performance, there is also a need for some | | | | has a body that is designed specifically to sit almost |
| uniformity in the performance and design of every | | | | right on the ground. |
| automobile, from every team. | | | | Each Formula 1 car race has specific tires that the car |
| The Formula 1 cars have a single seat and an open | | | | racing teams are required to use. They are designed |
| cockpit. The sports auto chassis is made largely from | | | | for a specific purpose. Prior to 1998, all of the teams |
| a carbon fiber composite, which allows for strength | | | | were required to use what is called a slick tire. These |
| and stiffness, while still remaining light. The regulations | | | | were tires with no tread at all. |
| and car guides set down by the FIA state that the | | | | In 1998, the FIA mandated the use of a grooved tire. |
| combination of automobile and driver cannot exceed | | | | These tires had four grooves in them and were |
| 600 kg. This includes the engine and any fluids added | | | | designed to limit the speed at which the cars could |
| to it, such as fuel and water. | | | | turn. Slick tires are making a comeback though and |
| All of the vehicles in a Formula 1 car race have one | | | | will be allowed on the F1 car race track again in the |
| design quality that is the same. Each of them is as | | | | 2009 car racing sports season. |
| nearly aerodynamically perfect as it can get. This is | | | | |