F1 Wallpaper, #1483

Formula One, abbreviated to F1, and in modern times also known as Grand Prix motor racing, is the highest class of open wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport world's governing body. The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform. The F1 world championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets, the most famous of which is the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for drivers and one for constructors.Bernie Ecclestone has announced that F1 will adopt the HD format near the end of the 2007 season. However, details of the races to be covered and the means of showing the content have yet to be announced.In 2005 the Canadian Grand Prix in Montréal was the most watched of the races, and the third most watched sporting event in the world.Currently the terms "Formula One race" and "World Championship race" are effectively synonymous; since 1984, every Formula One race has counted towards the World Championship, and every World Championship race has been to Formula One regulations. But the two terms are not interchangeable. Consider that:Michael Schumacher holds the record for having won the most Drivers' Championships (seven). Jochen Rindt became the only posthumous World Champion after a fatal accident at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix.Since 1984 Formula One teams have been required to build the chassis in which they compete, and consequently the terms "team" and "constructor" became more or less interchangeable. This requirement distinguishes the sport from series such as the IndyCar Series which allows teams to purchase chassis, and "spec series" such as GP2, which require all cars be kept to an identical specification.