Formula One Records Show Changes in Sport's History

The changes and history of Formula One racing are apparent when you look at the records that have been recorded since the sport's inception.

For example, Mike Thackwell, 19, holds the record as the youngest Formula One racing driver. The 1980 Dutch Grand Prix was his first Formula One race. At the other end of the age record spectrum is Louis Chiron who entered the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix at 58 years old. A study of the oldest and youngest Formula One racing competitors shows that all of the oldest record holders entered races during the 1950s. Today the sport is so physically challenging that drivers begin Formula One racing at a younger age and retire by their mid-30s.

Another change in Formula One racing is apparent in the statistics surrounding the most wins in a season. The record holder for the most wins in a Formula One racing season is Michael Schumacher with 13 wins in the 2004 season. Schumacher also holds the most wins record for 2002, 2001, 2000, 1995 and 1994. His 1994 record was for winning eight of the 16 races he entered which gives him a winning percentage of 50%

In contrast, Alberto Ascari holds the Formula One racing record for the highest percentage of wins in a season. In the 1952 season Ascari won only six races. Those six wins, however, earn him a winning percentage of 75% for the Formula One racing events that he entered. Of the top ten record holders for highest percentage of wins in a Formula One racing season, seven of those drivers won six or less races in a season. All seven of those are for pre-1970 Formula One racing seasons.

The comparison of these statistics indicates a change in Formula One racing seasons. Early Formula One racing drivers entered fewer races than drivers today because fewer Grand Prix were part of the racing season.

Formula One racing has always relied on a point system for determining the title of World Champion at the end of a season. The point system has gone through changes over the years and that becomes most apparent in the statistics for the most championship points earned during a season. In the early years of Formula One racing points were awarded only to the top five finishers and the maximum point value was eight (with one bonus point awards for the fastest lap). By contrast, today's point system allows for a maximum of ten points and points are awarded to the top eight teams.

The changes to the point systems, especially when combined with the increased number of Grand Prix per season are reflected in the statistics for the drivers with the most points accumulated during a season. In tenth place for this record is Nigel Mansell with 108 points earned during the 1992 season. The remaining top ten record holders have all been from Formula One racing seasons since 2000. Michael Schumacher currently holds first place in this category with 148 points earned during the 2004 season. The current point systems makes it impossible for early Formula One racing drivers to win a top spot in this category.

Changes are necessary in most sports as they evolve but Formula One racing has had many changes through the years. These changes are necessary to keep the sport competitive and the impact of the changes are shown in the records of Formula One racing.

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