5 unique Formula One records you are probably unaware of

The first Formula One season where drivers were awarded Championship points was held in the year 1950 with 6 races in total. All the races were held in Europe and Italian Giuseppe Farina of Team Alfa Romeo was crowned the first ever Formula One Drivers Champion.

993 Grand Prix races have been held since then and there have been a total of 107 race winners from 21 different countries. Drivers representing the United Kingdom have won the most races followed by Germany, Brazil and France respectively. Scuderia Ferrari is the most successful racing team with 15 Constructors titles followed by Team McLaren with 12. Here are 5 unique records in Formula One that you are probably unaware of :

Fewest drivers to start a race

The 2005 United States Grand Prix saw only 6 drivers starting the race. 20 drivers took out the warm-up lap but 14 of them backed out before the start. The teams which used Bridgestone tyres took part in the race but the teams using Michelin tyres to avoid any punitive action took part in the warm-up lap but returned to the pits immediately.

The issue was the hazardous Turn 13 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track. Michelin advised the seven teams using its tyres that the tyres would only last about 10 laps without lowering speeds considerably in Turn 12. The situation was compounded by the fact that the rules forbade tyre changes during the race.

A compromise between Michelin powered teams and FIA couldn't be reached. Michael Schumacher of Ferrari won the race followed by his teammate Rubens Barrichello in second and Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro taking the third spot on the podium.

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Highest top-speed recorded in the race

Kimi Raikkonen

Finn Kimi Raikkonen driving for Team McLaren in 2005 achieved the fastest ever speed recorded on any Formula One racing track. He did so at the 2005 Italian Grand Prix. At the Monza circuit, Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren recorded a speed of 370.1 km/h (230.0 mph). Raikkonen also set the fastest lap in the race but missed out on a podium position and finished fourth despite starting the race from pole position.

Most instances of safety car deployment in a single race

Jenson Button after winning the Canadian F1 Grand Prix 2011

The most times a safety car was deployed in a single race was at the Canadian Grand Prix in the year 2011. It was the 48th overall Canadian Grand Prix. The race was marred by torrential downpour and the race started behind the safety car with the drivers struggling for grip in the wet conditions.

The safety car was called back after 5 laps and drivers were allowed to overtake. Lewis Hamilton's retirement necessitated by a collision saw the safety car being re-deployed in lap 8. After being withdrawn to the pits, lap 20 saw the third instance where the safety car was deployed owing to increased rain intensity.

Six laps later the race was suspended due to heavy rain and two hours later the race was resumed. The race was re-started behind the safety car and for the 5th time, they were again deployed owing to a collision between Alonso's car and Button's car. The 6th and final safety car deployment was necessitated due to track debris resulting from a collision between Heidfeld and Kobayashi's cars. There were a total of 6 deployments of safety cars.

Most pit-stops by winning driver

Jenson Button after winning the Canadian Grand Prix of 2011

At the eventful 2011 Canadian Grand Prix which saw a record safety car deployment of 6 times, Briton Jenson Button of Team McLaren-Mercedes won the race after having pitted 6 times including 1 mandatory penalty. It was a see-saw race with Jenson Button taking the chequered flag having started from the 7th position.

Pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel was second. At 4 hours and 4 minutes, the race is also the longest ever Formula One race till date. Jenson Button would reflect upon this race win as his best ever.

Coldest and hottest races

Fernando Alonso and Flavio Briatore at The Bahrain F1 Grand Prix 2005

The coldest air temperature recorded in a Formula One race was at the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix. The minimum temperature recorded on race day was 5 °C. The race was won by Canadian Gilles Villeneuve with South African Jody Scheckter finishing second and Argentine Carlos Reutemann taking the final podium slot.

The hottest air temperature recorded in a Formula One race was at the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix. The maximum temperature recorded that day was 42.5 °C. Fernando Alonso of Renault took the chequered flag and would go on to lift the Drivers Championship that year. Italian Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen finished second and third respectively.