Video: The evolution of F1 in 60 seconds

Related content

Video

F1 2012 preview with Jake, Eddie and DC

BlogEntry

2012 British Grand Prix: preview

BlogEntry

Formula One: Malaysian Grand Prix preview

For the last 62 years, Formula One has been full of very, very clever people whose job it is to make sure the cars are at the cutting edge of modern technology. As a result, all today's machines share with their 1950s counterparts is the fundamental open wheel, open cockpit philosophy that's underpinned the sport since its inception.

Thanks to Rufus Blacklock's mesmerising animation, we can see for ourselves the evolution of the Formula One car, as each year's championship winning chassis fluidly merges into the next. We see the transition from front, to mid-engine layouts, the addition of massive front and rear wings, and how the steering wheel has been transformed from a primitive mechanical tool used only to steer the front wheels to something so advanced using hands to operate it seems a little old fashioned.

So, as you're watching this weekend's British GP, bear in mind how far F1 cars have come, and how far they could still have yet to go. We're hoping for jets and machine guns...