Formula 1

Formula 1 is the top level of single-seater, open-wheel racing. Teams design and build their own cars, and some of the best drivers in the world push them to the limit. Venues range from tight street circuits to big purpose-built tracks, and each weekend rewards a mix of raw speed, engineering, and strategy. Fans love the noise, the rivalries, and the way one call in the pits can turn a race upside down.

The World Championship for drivers began in 1950 at Silverstone in England, and a constructors' title followed in 1958. Early racing was dangerous and shaped by stars like Juan Manuel Fangio. Later decades brought rear-engined cars, wings, turbo power, and major safety gains. What began as a mostly European series now has a worldwide audience, with fans on every continent following the sport and its history.

How it works

• A race weekend builds from practice sessions to qualifying, which sets the starting grid, and ends with the race.
• Grand Prix distances are set at roughly 300 kilometers, with Monaco as a well-known shorter exception.
• Drivers must manage tires and fuel, and pit stops for fresh tires can win or lose a race.
• Finishing positions earn points toward two titles: the drivers' championship and the constructors' (team) championship.

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Fan tips

• Check session times in your own time zone, since weekends run across several days.
• If you go in person, bring ear protection and layers, and arrive early to explore the venue.
• Use a live timing app or screen to follow gaps, tire choices, and pit stops you can't see from your seat.
• Learn the basics of flags, safety cars, and tire types first and the racing becomes much easier to read.

Legends of F1

Books, biographies and collectibles about the series' greats.

FAQ