Formula One: Explained!

A few notes: 1. The “plank of wood” under the car isn’t actually wood, it’s a plank of resin with titanium blocks (skid blocks) in certain parts of the plank. This is where the sparks come from when they skid across the ground. 2. “KERS” is a bit dated — it’s just ERS now lol, that’s because while there is kinetic energy recovery from braking; MGU-K (motor generator unit - kinetic), there is also energy recovery from the exhaust gasses; MGU-H (motor generator unit - heat). 3. DRS was brought in for 2011 because with the newer cars in 2010 it was basically too difficult to overtake so this was an aid. When the driver behind is within 1 second, they gain access to DRS to try and make the pass, the regulations state that the current DRS gap can be maximum of 85mm, so any larger than this = disqualification. Awesome video Marques! Thanks for bringing our awesome sport to so many more people 😁

DRS was never a feature only used by one team which then spread to others. From the start (2011) it was mandated by the FIA in order to counter the negative effects of dirty air (when following another car) and as such promote more overtaking and therefore more exciting races. It could never have been developed by an individual team anyway because it would've represented a movable part which affected aerodynamics - something that has been banned in F1 since the 1960s.

Marques just did what Drive to Survive seemingly refused to do in the first 3 seasons I've watched. Actually explain the science and the competitive structure behind F1 rather than solely focus on the driver personality drama. Thank you Marques. Loved this video.

I feel sorry for all the new fans who missed out on the drama / excitement / glory of the 2021 season. It's still a talking point 2 years later. Regardless of who you supported, it was one of the most exciting seasons we had in a long while

Welcome to the sport @mkbhd!

The crossover we all need

My man just made a 19 minute ad for Bitdefender, but somehow managed to make it another banger video. Truman Show :D

This is why I tell my friends that f1 is not just a race, there is so much tech and engineering involved it’s insane! It’s a race, data, strategy, engineering, everything. Great video Marques!

Welding the manhole covers down has been common practice for years now, what happened in LV was actually a bit more intense. It didn't just rip up the manhole cover, it ripped the frame it was welded to out of the road itself

As someone who works for an F1 team, This video is only the tip of the iceberg! The science, Technology R&D behind the scenes is none stop. Our build seasons are insanely busy and people spend most of their time at work for months, we do this because of our love and passion for the sports and our team!

Fantastic treat! My only add is while technically KERS is correct Because you can still harness kinetic waste energy, KERS nomenclature as many refer from the 09 era was done away with. instead we opt for the MGU-K/H system to account for the additional waste energy now available to be harnessed and deployed. Deployment of said “KERS” might instead in 2024 really be deployment of energy recovery or the ERS. Energy recovery systems are both the MGU systems: H is for “heat” and K is for “Kinetic”. It uses waste energy to top up energy recovery systems through different methods so a driver can boost performance. KERS and MGUK have in common that it’s mainly fed under brake load. But now you also have the heat recovery to add on top for a total boost of ERS. So not even a correction just layering potentially useful info on top. While the nuance added may sound at first pedantic, it’s actually a testament to the habitual advancement of the sport. No sport can innovate quite as quickly as F1 you’d be right at home falling deeper down the rabbit hole and I hope the bug bites you after seeing it first hand!

Started watching F1 a couple years ago and no one that I told knew about it, I love how this video encapsulates this awesome sport so simply but detailed so I can show people who don't know about the sport and try to get them into it. Another great vid from Marques Brownlee!

I’m glad you’re introducing F1 to your audience. One side note - the halo is made of titanium, which has the greatest strength to weight properties.

The script, the delivery, the footage, the set design... this man is every advertiser's dream.

3:42 !!! Did you guys notice the like button highlights when he says "Like Button" 😱

I love the manhole flying-up anecdote. The power of those vehicles is insane and inspiring. If I'd seen this in a movie, I'd be sure it's a special effect.

LOVE THIS. new techie F1 fans, unite.

If you are interested in those crazy technical loopholes and innovations then i recommend looking up Mercedes' dual axis steering from a few years ago. There was a moment when journalists and viewers started to suspect strange things were happening with the Mercedes cars when they noticed the drivers could move the steering wheel forward and backward on the straights, super interesting stuff.

Great explanation for the beginner. I’ve been watching since the 98 season, it’s incredible to see how popular it’s becoming in the US.

I love seeing you get excited about something new that is tangentially related to your love of tech! It's one thing to watch you get excited about a computer, tablet, phone, camera, etc - but it's something totally different to see someone whose opinion you respect open up the door to something new for themselves, and ultimately get me excited about it too. Thanks for opening me up to something new!