The pinnacle of motorsport evolves consistently, why and how often? At the start, restrictions mainly concern engine displacement of compressed and naturally aspirated units, which continue to alter during the following decade. From there, the rulebook expands. Especially with aerodynamic devices coming on the stage and increasing attention to safety, new and updated regulations become the tendency. Minimum vehicle weight and dimensions of its components are now strictly observed. Entering the 1970s, cars are quick, however fragile at the same time. Drivers continued to lose their lives before major changes were applied. Various incidents involved fire, as fuel tanks leaked in the event of incidents. Two of them were placed right next to the driver and with the chassis themselves not subject to crash tests, racing on the track meant risking one's life.
In the aftermath of Ronnie Peterson's fatal accident at the 1978 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, measures improve safety, but not immediately. Sadly, four competitors die across 1980, 1982 and 1986. Carbon fibre monocoques are a colossal breakthrough for protecting drivers nonetheless. Further restrictions come in. Ground-effect and in-race refuelling are banned. Tank capacities for turbocharged engines are reduced. Naturally aspirated machines are outlawed in 1986 but swiftly reauthorised and turbos are prohibited from 1989. Meanwhile, electronic techonolgy is exponentially permitting teams to strive for excellent engineering performance. The cars become faster than safer. Whilst they were mainly slowed down previously, the implemented regulations of 1994 resulted in vehicles with same power output but significantly less handling. Before the season began, two near misses took place. At the 1994 SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX, Rubens Barrichello is seriously harmed on Friday, Roland Ratzenberger passes away after impotently hitting barriers on Saturday and Ayrton Senna sufferes fatal injuries on Sunday. This is the time when safety becomes THE priority.
Now, cars are bulkier to protect the driver's body. With solid features implemented, focus simultaneously lies on improving spectacle. However, as aerodynamics reign the vehicles, no massive changes result. Being more eco-friendly begins in 2009 and pioneering hybrid powertrains are introduced in 2014. During that season, Jules Bianchi suffers fatal head lesions. This leads to creating the halo device that is responsible for securing the helmet, as the pilot, during critical situations. In recent years, next to steadily developing safety, two overhauls took place. In 2022, ground-effect is back, but slightly improves spectacle. From 2026, FORMULA 1 cars race with sustainable fuels, new power units and a totally revised aerodynamic concept. Ingredients to combine all characterising aspects of the sport are ready, compromises are demanded, but can all be maximised to excellence?