Since I am already on the fanboy list concerning this sport, here is my contribution to flying the marquee.
An introduction (courtesy Wikipedia)
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'Formula One', abbreviated to F1, and also known as Grand Prix racing, is the highest class of auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motor sport's world governing body. The "formula" in the name is a set of rules which all participants and cars must meet. The F1 world championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for drivers and one for constructors.
It is a massive television event, with millions of people watching each race in 200 countries. The cars race at high speeds, often greater than 320 km/h (200 mph) and are capable of pulling up to 6 g in some corners. The performance of the cars is highly dependent on electronics, aerodynamics, suspension and tyres. The formula has seen many evolutions and changes through the history of the sport.
Europe is Formula One's traditional centre and remains its leading market. However, Grands Prix are held all over the world and, with new races in Bahrain, China, Malaysia, Turkey and the United States since 1999, its scope continues to expand with India being a possible venue in 2009. Of the 17 races in 2007, 9 are outside Europe. As the world's most expensive sport, its economic effect is significant, and its financial and political battles are widely observed. Its high profile and popularity makes it an obvious merchandising environment, which leads to very high investments from sponsors, translating into extremely high budgets for the constructor teams. In recent years several teams have gone bankrupt or been bought out by other companies.
The sport is regulated by the FIA. Formula One's commercial rights are vested in the Formula One Group.
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There are 11 teams contesting races in Formula 1 in 2007. They are:
(Team Name / Manufacturer / Engine Supplier)
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / McLaren / Mercedes
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro / Ferrari / Ferrari
BMW Sauber Petronas / BMW / BMW
ING Renault / Renault / Renault
Panasonic Toyota / Toyota / Toyota
Red Bull Racing / Red Bull / Renault
AT&T Williams / Williams / Toyoto
Honda Racing / Honda / Honda
Super Aguri / Super Aguri / Honda
Scuderia Toro Rosso / Toro Rosso / Ferrari
Etihad Aldar Spyker / Spyker / Ferrari
In the current 2007 season With 11 races completed out of the 17 scheduled races, debutante rookie Lewis Hamilton of the McLaren Mercedes team leads the Drivers World Championships with 80 points. In second place is Lewis's McLaren team mate, current reigning double world champion, Fernando Alonso on 73 points. McLaren also lead the Constructor's World Championship with 138 points and Ferrari are second on 119 points.
The next race is the Turkish Grand Prix and is scheduled to be held this Sunday, August 26, 2007. You can catch the qualifying on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on Star Sports and the race on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on Star Sports.