Basics

 

What is F1?

Formula 1 (F1) is the highest category of motorsport in the world. It is an exciting and high-tech sport that combines speed, strategy and skill. The best drivers in the world compete in high-tech single-seaters, on different circuits around the world.

The goal is to score as many points as possible in each race to win the Drivers' World Championship and the Constructors' World Championshi and prize money based on their position at the end of the season.

How many drivers and teams race in F1?

There are 10 teams on the grid with 2 drivers each, meaning there’s 20 drivers on track.

How long do F1 races last?

Formula 1 races generally last between an hour-and-a-half and two hours, though this can be impacted by Safety Car periods that slow the field down or red flags that halt the action 

Each race on the calendar has a set number of laps based on the length of their circuit. The distance of every race is almost always equal to the fewest number of laps that exceed 305 kilometres. (Monaco is an exception to the rule, where the race length is equal to the fewest number of laps needed to exceed a distance of 260km)

When did Formula 1 start?

Formula 1 was formed as a world championship competition back in 1950, with the first-ever race held at the Silverstone Circuit – a former Royal Air Force station – in the United Kingdom on May 13 of that year.

While motorsport had been taking place since the late-1800s, with Grand Prix events growing in popularity across the following decades, 1950 marked the start of the official F1 championship that remains to this day.

Why is it called Formula 1?

The reason why Formula 1 is called Formula 1 is two-fold. First up, the ‘Formula’ is a set of rules – covering car design, engine size, component usage and much, much more – that all competitors must abide by. Secondly, the ‘1’ simply denotes that it is the premier formula.