Formula one, or F1, as most people call it, is the most technologically advanced form of car racing in the world. Although not as popular in the United States as other types, such as NASCAR and IRL, for example, Formula One is second only to soccer in the number of people following it worldwide. The sport has always demanded the utmost commitment to technological innovation from its participants. Many of the technologies used in today's consumer cars were first used in F1 cars, from engine management to vehicle control. In fact, engineering developments in F1 have such a direct impact on the components of commercial vehicles that American car manufacturers have joined Japanese and European companies as participants in the F1 World Championship. Ford competes in F1 through its Jaguar division, and Chrysler partners with McLaren through Mercedes-Benz. General Motors is the only American company without direct involvement, but it has an indirect link to the technology through its partnership with Fiat, which owns Ferrari, the constructors' world champion for the past three years.
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