Analysis. History. Perspective.

Sports Then and Now



How Has Formula One Evolved Since 1950? 1

Posted on August 30, 2016 by John Harris

Michael_Schumacher_Ferrari_2004The first Formula One season took place in 1950. In more than 65 years, the sport has changed a lot. It’s now faster, safer, and more popular than ever before. The sport is still changing, however, with the organization and drivers trying to find a balance between speed and safety. When Formula One began, not even helmets were compulsory. Today, there are many rules and regulations on safety and fair play within the sport. Vehicle design has changed dramatically too, with a focus on aerodynamics, as well as engines. Check out how Formula One has changed over the years and continues to move forward.

Rules and Regulations

One of the things that have seen change over decades of F1 is the rules and regulations. In the 1950s, little thought was given to the safety of the drivers or the sport’s spectators. Some of the first rules of the sport set out engine specs. The maximum sizes were 1500 cc for engines with a compressor or 4500 cc for normally aspirated engines. The compulsory use of helmets was another early rule. But the helmets wouldn’t have been any use today, or even then. As the sport grew, more regulations were put in place to make it safer. Rules had to evolve along with vehicle designs, and they are still catching up. Today, the F1 organization is doing its best to make the sport safer than ever. Read the rest of this entry →

Hamilton Gets Off The Mark in China 2

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Rod Crowley

The 2011 China Grand Prix will go down in history as one of the very best and one that will live long in the memory of the race winner, Lewis Hamilton, who once again proved why he is the sport’s biggest box office attraction.

If there was ever a Grand Prix that had everything then this was it in Shanghai, a battle of race strategies, incredible overtaking, particularly by Hamilton, a charge from the back from Mark Webber of Red Bull that defied belief, It also had a moment of serious embarrassment when McLaren’s Jenson Button parked his car in the Red Bull pit for a tyre change, a mistake which cost him the lead in the race at the time.

Hamilton, had qualified only in third place on the grid after deciding that he will only make one run in the final q3 practice in order to preserve the tyres that he would be starting with. This would mean that he would adopt a three stop strategy as opposed to the two to be made by Vettel in his Red Bull.

He had to endure a scare before the start of the race where a minor fuel leak was detected and which was only rectified within a half minute of the start time. Notwithstanding, Hamilton got off to a flyer off the grid, charging up the inside of Vettel which demoted the world champion to third place as Button had already steamed past him to lead. Read the rest of this entry →

Michael Schumacher Throws Down…Thank You Jesus! 1

Posted on August 02, 2009 by L.J. Burgess
Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher

Or Deus…or Allah, Ishvara, Mother Mary, Yahweh, Vishnu and any another Godly entity that may have reached down and awoken the sleeping giant that is Michael Schumacher…yes, including even you Bernie…if you had fingers in this pie, God bless you, even if only for a moment.

This season would have gone down as the absolute worst in the storied history of Formula 1 if not for this devine intervention breaking the suffocating bonds of the FIA vs FOTA media frenzy and the sad resignation that Brawn GP is running away with the points title.

Read the rest of this entry →

  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Mickey Lolich: 1968 World Series Hero
      October 2, 2024 | 3:00 pm
      Mickey Lolich

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is one of the most celebrated pitchers in Detroit Tigers history and will forever be remembered for his heroic performance in the 1968 World Series.

      Mickey Lolich is remembered for his durability, resilience, and ability to deliver in clutch situations. Known for his powerful left arm and an almost superhuman capacity to pitch complete games, Lolich etched his name in baseball history with his stellar performance in the 1968 World Series, leading the Tigers to a championship. His career, spanning from 1963 to 1979, was defined by consistency, longevity, and an unyielding competitive spirit. Lolich may not have the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, but his achievements on the mound have earned him a lasting legacy in the annals of Major League Baseball.

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