F1赛车大变样了

This year's F1 racing cars are very different from before.

F1 means Formula One racing.

It is the most famous car race in the world.

Every year hundreds of millions of people watch.

This year the rules changed a lot.

You could say this is the biggest change ever.

First let's talk about what the cars look like.

This year's cars are smaller.

Shorter.

Narrower.

Lighter.

The tires are also narrower.

Why make them smaller?

Because smaller cars are more flexible in corners.

They turn faster.

They are more fun to drive.

And when cars are lighter.

They can also be faster.

Now let's talk about the biggest change.

That is the power system.

The power system is what makes the car go.

Before, F1 cars mainly used gasoline.

Gasoline provided most of the power.

Electricity was only a small part.

Now it's completely different.

Now it's half gasoline half electricity.

Fifty-fifty.

The electric motor's power is now three times what it was before.

This is a very big change.

And the fuel also changed.

Before they used regular gasoline.

Now they use a new eco-friendly fuel.

This fuel is not dug up from underground.

It is made from garbage and waste.

And things from the air.

This is called sustainable fuel.

It means this fuel won't run out.

And it's good for the environment.

F1 wants to prove.

That racing can also be eco-friendly.

Speed and being eco-friendly can go together.

There is another big change about the wings.

Racing cars have wings on the front and back.

Wings are used to create downforce.

Downforce is the force that pushes the car down onto the road.

Before, the wings were fixed.

They couldn't move.

This year the wings can move.

This is called active aerodynamics.

On straight roads the wings open.

Less air resistance.

Car goes faster.

In corners the wings close.

More downforce.

Car is more stable.

Before there was something called DRS.

You could only use it behind another car.

Now DRS is gone.

Replaced by active aerodynamics.

Every driver can use it any time.

And if you are behind the car in front.

Less than one second away.

You can use a special function.

Called Overtake Mode.

Overtake Mode gives you more electric power.

Makes it easier to pass the car in front.

This makes races more exciting.

Because there are more chances to overtake.

This year there are also new teams and new engine makers.

Audi is a new engine maker.

From Germany.

Cadillac is a new team.

From America.

Honda came back.

Partnering with Aston Martin.

Red Bull partnered with Ford.

There are now five engine makers in total.

More than before.

This shows many big companies want to join F1.

Because F1 is becoming more and more popular.

Lastly let's talk about safety.

Racing car speeds are over three hundred kilometers per hour.

If there is an accident it can be very dangerous.

So this year the safety standards are higher.

Where the driver sits is stronger.

The roll hoop is stronger.

It can handle twenty-three percent more force than before.

Even if there is a very serious crash.

The driver is safer.

Yesterday at the race in Japan.

A driver called Bearman crashed.

It was a very bad crash.

But he was not seriously hurt.

This shows the new safety design works.

Overall.

This year's F1 is a completely new beginning.

Cars are smaller and more flexible.

More electricity and more eco-friendly.

Overtaking is easier and more exciting.

New teams and new competitors.

If you like racing.

You must watch F1 this year.

By the way, let me tell you about yesterday's race.

At the Suzuka circuit in Japan.

This is the third race this year.

Who won?

A young driver called Antonelli.

He is only twenty-one years old.

He drives a Mercedes car.

He has already won two races.

Now he is first in the standings.

He is the youngest-ever championship leader in history.

There has never been a driver this young at first place.

He took Hamilton's seat.

Hamilton went to Ferrari.

Hamilton is already forty-one years old this year.

Antonelli is only twenty-one.

From forty-one to twenty-one.

This is a very big change.

Second place was Piastri.

He was injured before.

This was his first race this year.

First race and he got second place.

Also very impressive.

Third place was Leclerc.

Driving a Ferrari.

The former champion Verstappen only got eighth place.

The new rules mixed up the old order.

This is why this year's F1 is so exciting to watch.

Anyone could win.