IN THE COCKPIT : It’s a common misconception that F1 is just about blokes driving around in cars and there’s not a great deal more to it.  Driving in F1 has very little in common with taking your family motor for a spin up the motorway.  In fact, it’s closest comparison is more like jet fighter pilots…during combat.

Immense amounts of concentration, physical strength and fitness are required, as well as sharp thinking and quick reactions.  (another common prerequisite seems to be the lack of any personality)

FROM THE SOFA : If you’re new to the sport it may be tricky to get your head around why F1 is so massively popular.  Contrary to popular belief amongst non-F1 fans, watching the sport is not in anyway like watching cars drive by while sitting in a motorway service station. Due to the sport’s technical nature it does require a bit of effort from the spectator to really get into it.

During this new series of “F1 : Explained” the Badger will take you through many different aspects of the sport to give everyone a better understanding.  Don’t worry, we won’t bore you with technical specifications and what have you – just the stuff you’ll find interesting and enjoy discovering.

TOP GEAR’S HAMSTER HAS A BASH : Rather than spend this first article of “F1 Explained” boring myself with points of why F1 isn’t boring, I’ve decided to treat you all to a repeat of TV’s best motoring programme and their feature on how “easy” it isn’t to drive an F1 car.

Richard “Hamster” Hammond

Driving school in Fernando Alonso’s Renault F1 from 2006.

Hopefully Hammond’s featurette has demonstrated that the 20 or so gentlemen who sit in the rather odd looking cars to going around in circles have immense talent and that driving in F1 is not the same as popping to the shops in your Ford.  You saw how hard Hammond was trying – imagine doing this for 2hrs on a Sunday afternoon and having to think about other cars on the track and getting past them, as well as pit stop strategies, fuel consumption etc etc.

Coming up in the next “F1 : Explained” articles

• Wings
• Wheels
• Cars
• Pit Stops

…and more.  If you would like to see a piece added to this series, leave your comments below.  Thank you please.