"So Splade, what's Formula One all about?"*

*The question literally no-one is asking


F1 doesn't have the best reputation, what with its stereotype of being about the millionaire playboy Monte Carlo set, hanging out with glamorous women and movie stars.

So to answer the question, Formula One (F1) is about........ lots of things.

Technology

First and foremost, F1 is about technology. A team's development of a car uses the Japanese principle of 'Kaizen' - continuous improvement. You must keep up in a sport dominated by technology. "If you ain't first, you're last"

This year, F1 made the biggest change in its history. Out went the guzzling V8 engines and in came greener 1.6 litre, 6 cylinder turbo engines. You probably have a bigger engine in your car - I do. Mine makes 93 kilowatts. An F1 engine currently produces about 550 kilowatts.

What makes it all the more impressive is that the 2014 cars are going similar speeds to last year's cars, with just under half the engine size (down from 3.0 litres) and using a third less fuel to complete a race. The cars now harvest heat and energy from braking that is then used to help power the engine. This technology is already on high end sports cars and the Toyota Prius and will likely be in your next new car within 10-15 years.

Racing

When I watch car racing, I'm reminded of this. The need to go faster and beat the previous time is addictive. The closest I've got is go-karting. Can I accelerate earlier? Can I brake later without braking too late?

History

Where to start? The 'Formula' refers to the set of rules that dictates how a car is made. F1 cars originally resembled road cars and races were on public roads. One of these was Monaco, a track still used today, even though the cars are now 1.8 metres wide and the race is basically a procession as the cars can't really pass safely at any corner. It's also a track that, if it were submitted as a new track today, would not be approved, due to its lack of run-off areas, in the case of an accident.

Australia has had some history in F1. We had two world champions in Alan Jones and Jack Brabham. Brabham will likely be the last man ever to own, build and drive a championship winning car.

The danger presented by F1 races is part of what makes the sport appealing. Sir Jackie Stewart, a 3 time world champion has said that during his time driving in the 60's & 70's, "There was a 2 out of 3 chance you were going to die if you lasted a 5 year period."

Deaths in recent decades have become very rare, due to increased safety of both cars and tracks. Only recently, it was the 20th anniversary of the last death of a driver in F1 - Ayrton Senna, at Imola.

Many books and documentaries have been created about him alone.

Here is how I think he should be best remembered, hurtling along the track at Monaco.