Formula One (F1) is the pinnacle of motorsport, a high-speed, high-stakes racing series that combines cutting-edge technology, elite drivers, and global fanfare. Established in 1950, F1 has evolved into a multi-billion-pound industry, captivating audiences worldwide with its blend of precision engineering and strategic racing. The sport features a series of races known as Grands Prix, taking place on circuits across the globe, where teams and drivers compete for the ultimate prize – the World Championship. With a rich history of rivalries, innovation, and passion, Formula One continues to push the boundaries of speed and performance, making it one of the world’s most watched and prestigious sports.
Table of Contents
History of Formula 1
Established in 1904, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) sanctioned Formula One and, for this reason, are known as the founders of F1. They were the first to standardise the rules and regulations of motorsport. Each Formula 1 driver must hold a valid Super Licence issued by the FIA. It is the highest class of racing licence, and drivers must be 18 years old to obtain one. The first Formula One race was held in May 1950, and it took place in Silverstone, United Kingdom. The race marked the beginning of the very first official driver’s championship. It was known as the World Drivers’ Championship until 1981, when it was changed to FIA Formula One World Championship. The Formula One season is made up of several races that are known as “Grand Prix”. The first Formula One World Champion was Guiseppe Farina, driving an Alfa Romeo.
Grand Prix Weekend
Every weekend of racing is made up of three one-hour practice races, which are done on Fridays and Saturdays; these are known as FP1, FP2 and FP3. This allows the drivers to get used to the track. On Saturday, there is qualifying after practice, which determines where each driver starts on the grid for the Grand Prix. Qualifying is broken into three separate sessions: Q1, Q2 and Q3. In Q1, all drivers try to set the fastest lap time possible in 18 minutes. The five slowest drivers are then dropped and start Sunday’s race from whatever position they finished in.
Q2 repeats this process, but with only 15 drivers, the time is reduced to 15 minutes. Again, the slowest five get dropped and start the race on Sunday in their finishing positions. The top 10 drivers then go into Q3, where they race against each other for pole position in a 12-minute race. Whichever driver earns the fastest lap starts in first place for Sunday’s race. Second place to 10th place is also decided on the next-fastest laps. Doing well in qualifying and starting in first place gives a driver a significant advantage going into the Grand Prix.
This is the usual format of every weekend unless it is a Sprint weekend. F1 Sprint is a new format of qualifying brought into F1 in 2021. There will be three Sprint weekends in 2022: the Brazilian Grand Prix, the Austrian Grand Prix and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola. F1 Sprint is when drivers take part in a 100km race in order to determine starting positions for Sunday’s race—the original qualifying moves to Friday, with only two practice sessions instead of three. The Sprint race is also an opportunity for drivers to earn extra points. Drivers that finish between 1st and 8th place will earn points for their team, and a driver that crashes during the Sprint race will start from the back of the grid on Sunday’s Grand Prix.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| 8 points | 7 points | 6 points | 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
On Sunday, the official Grand Prix is raced, where each driver gains points throughout the season. Every season, each driver gains points depending on where they finish the race. Points are awarded to drivers who finish in the top 10 in the Grand Prix. The better a driver does, the more points they gain. Any driver that comes in 11th to 20th place receives no points. The driver in first place wins 25 points, second place wins 18 and third place wins 15. Drivers in the top 10 get bonus points if they have the fastest lap during the race.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th-20th |
| 25 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
The points are added throughout the season, and the driver with the most points at the end of the season wins the driver’s championship. The team with the most points at the end of the season wins the constructors’ championship.
Penalties in F1
There are many different rules in Formula 1; if they aren’t followed, drivers and teams can endure hefty fines and penalties. A driver may receive a penalty for blocking another driver, causing an accident, speeding in the pit lane, or starting the race too soon. The stewards are no strangers to handing out penalties and fines to drivers and teams who don’t follow the strict rules. There are three different types of penalties that stewards give out. These are drive-through penalties, stop-go penalties and grid-position penalties.
A drive-through penalty is when a driver is made to drive through the pitlane without stopping and while following the speed limit. It is one of the least severe and least costly penalties.
A stop-go penalty is one of the most severe penalties. It requires the drivers to stop in their pit box for five or ten seconds during their next planned stop. However, work can only be done to the car after the time penalty. Depending on which type of stop-go penalty the stewards give, drivers may not be allowed to do anything to the car even after the time penalty. If the penalty is given out during the last three laps of the race, the driver can choose not to pit and have the penalty time added to their final race time instead. This penalty is a lot more damaging than a drive-through penalty.
One of the harshest penalties is the grid-position penalty, which is given out for the following race. For example, if a driver is given a 3-place grid penalty, it means that if they qualified first, they would start the race from 4th position. It is up to the Teams whether they would like to protest these penalties.
Teams can also be penalised for violating car part regulations. Penalties for these regulations can result in millions of dollars in fines.
Formula One Terminology
Safety Car
The safety car does precisely as its name suggests; it ensures that the racecars pass safely around the track in the event of an accident. A safety car allows the race to continue while a problem is dealt with on the track. It prevents the race from being stopped entirely and allows the laps of the race to be still completed. When the safety car is no longer needed, it will exit the track, and the race will resume when the first driver crosses the start/finish line.
DRS
Drag Reduction Systems (DRS) are adjustable rear wings that a driver can activate to overtake the driver in front and reduce aerodynamic drag. The driver can manually activate DRS by pressing a button on the steering wheel, which will then increase their speed. It can only be activated during the race when a driver is less than one second behind another car at one of the specified DRS zones on the track.
G-Force
A physical force known as a “G-force” equals one unit of gravity. This force is multiplied during rapid changes in direction or velocity. Drivers experience severe G-forces of between 4-6g’s when braking and cornering and experience roughly 2g’s when accelerating. G-Force can be very demanding on Formula 1 driver’s bodies. They must do specific head and neck exercises to sustain the force and prevent injury.
The Pit
The area of the track that holds the team garages. Each team has their own designated pit. Drivers access the pits through a special section of the circuit called the pit lane, where speeds are limited. Drivers use the pits during the race for pit stops. This allows them to change tyres or repair mechanical issues. It is also where drivers pause for penalties given. The pit wall is located in the pits, where all unique stations are located and where senior management, team owners, and engineers monitor their car’s performance during racing.
Currently, Red Bull and Max Verstappen hold the title for the fastest pit stop, having completed one in 1.82 seconds during the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Paddock
The Paddock is the area behind the pits at every Formula 1 circuit. The teams’ technical staff and equipment, catering, media, motorhomes, and other functions are located there. It is essentially behind the scenes of Formula 1. The Paddock isn’t open to the public; however, guided tours and day passes can be purchased to gain access.
Formation lap
This is the lap drivers do before the start of the race, also known as the parade lap. The cars are driven around the track to take their correct positions on the grid at the beginning of the race.
Parc Ferme
Parc Ferme is a fenced-off secure area where the cars are driven after qualifying and the race and inspected by race stewards. When a vehicle is in Parc Ferme, no team members are allowed to make repairs or modifications unless permission is given and FIA stewards supervise actions.
Sectors
Every lap is divided into Sectors 1, 2, and 3. The purpose of dividing the laps into sectors is to allow drivers to gauge their performance throughout the race. The sectors are colour-coded. A purple sector means the driver has set the fastest time in the race. If a driver is told they have gone green in a particular industry, this means that they have put a personal best, and if a driver sector is described as yellow, it means that a driver hasn’t met their personal best.
Retirement/ Retiring
When a car has to drop out of the race because of an accident or mechanical issue, it is said to be retired. Drivers are often told to retire the car if the mechanics feel it is unsafe to drive in its current condition.
Backmarker
The backmarker is the name given to the car that comes last and is lapped by leading cars during the race. The backmarker often has to move out of the way to make space for the faster car to pass safely.
Cockpit
The cockpit is the area of the chassis where the driver sits. The chassis is the central part of a racing car. The drivers sit in a seat that is moulded for their body only. The steering wheel is also located in the cockpit, which allows the driver to control the car.
Different Flags Used in Formula 1
Flags are used by marshals all around the track during practice, qualifying and races. If drivers ignore and fail to comply with flags, they can be penalised. Let’s have a look at some of the main flags used during a race and their meaning;
Chequered flag
This is the basic black-and-white chequered pattern flag. Marshals wave it at the Start/Finish line to indicate the end of the race.
Blue flag
A blue flag is shown to slower drivers or backmarkers. It instructs them to get out of a faster car approaching from behind them to allow for a safe overtaking. Blue flags can be shown during practice, qualifying and a race.
Yellow flag
A yellow flag indicates danger to drivers and is shown when an accident has occurred on or near the track and when a safety car has to enter the track. When a yellow flag is waved, drivers must slow down, and they are not allowed to overtake.
Green flag
A green flag is used after a yellow flag. It lets drivers know that the incident is cleared and that it is safe to pick up speed and overtake again.
Red flag
A red flag is used when a serious accident occurs, or weather conditions become too dangerous to drive in. It indicates to the drivers that the race has been stopped. Drivers must immediately stop and return to their pits when a red flag has been shown. Because of the seriousness of red flags, they are physically shown when an incident occurs and virtually on the driver’s steering wheel. This is to ensure that no driver misses it.
Black flag
A black flag with a driver’s race number is shown to a driver disqualified. When a driver is shown a black flag, they must return to the pits and retire the car. Drivers are shown the black flag when they have broken the rules on the track and failed to comply with the penalties given.
How Long Does a Formula One Season Last
The Formula One season lasts from March to November each year. It consists of 22 races, each situated in a different part of the world. Some places that hold F1 races each year are the UK, Belgium, and Italy, and some newer destinations that have hosted F1 races are Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Azerbaijan.
Each country has its own unique track, and the race may be on during the day or at night. One week, drivers may be driving through the narrow streets of Monaco, and another week, they may be moving through the lit-up streets of Singapore at night. Each racetrack in F1 has a different number of laps, ranging from below 50 to above 70. Races typically last 2 hours; however, red flags and safety cars can cause the race to go longer if necessary.
Safety Improvements in Formula One
Formula One is undoubtedly a dangerous sport, but travelling at such speeds with 20 other cars on a track comes with huge risks. Over the years, the FIA has brought in many safety regulations to reduce injuries and deaths in motorsport. Drivers, teams and fans haven’t always welcomed these safety regulations, but they have proved their value over and over again. There have been safety improvements on the track, car, and driver’s kit. Let’s have a look at some of the transformative safety improvements that have been introduced to F1.
HANS
Hand and Neck Support Devices (HANS) are safety devices required to be worn by all Formula 1 drivers. They fit over the driver’s shoulders and connect to the back of the helmet. The purpose of the HANS is to prevent serious head and neck injuries in the case of an accident. It also minimises the impact of G-force on the driver. The video below demonstrates just how vital HANs are and the difference they make.
Fire Resistant Suits
Their suits are entirely fire-resistant to add an extra layer of protection for drivers. The drivers’ overalls are made from three layers of Nomex. Nomex is a material that protects drivers in the event of a fire. It is vital that drivers’ suits are fire resistant as this gives drivers valuable time to escape an accident that involves fire. Not only are their suits fire-resistant, but they also use fireproof underwear, boots and gloves for extra protection. All drivers must wear fire-resistant overalls.
Survival Cell
The survival cell, also known as the monocoque, is perhaps the most crucial safety feature of an F1 car. It is made of carbon fibre and surrounds the driver to protect them in case of an incident. The survival cell can withstand brutal forces and acts as a bulletproof vest against flying debris.
Kevlar Fuel Tanks and Refuelling Ban
Formula 1 fuel tanks are made from Kevlar, which is highly durable and protects fuel tanks from being punctured and leaking fuel. The fuel tank is also surrounded by rubber to hold the fuel securely. These lightweight and flexible materials provide high durability and protection against crashes. Refuelling was banned in Formula One to reduce costs and improve safety. Before this ban, drivers were allowed to refuel during races. Many times, cars burst into flames when refuelling. Now, F1 cars must start the race with a full tank of fuel, which is necessary for the entirety of the race.
Roll Structure
Roll structures were introduced into cars to prevent drivers from being seriously injured in an accident. Roll hoops are fitted above the driver’s head to make the car roll over when it flips. Roll hoops stop the car’s weight from crushing the driver if it flips and allow the driver to escape the car quickly.
Halo
The Halo is one of the greatest safety inventions in Formula 1. It is a titanium crash-protection structure that sits above the driver’s head and the car’s cockpit. The structure protects the driver in a collision and from flying debris off other cars on the track. The Halo wasn’t a very welcomed addition to the car when it was first introduced, but it has proved its worth and necessity, saving many lives and preventing serious injuries.
The importance of the Halo has been proven a number of times, and the continuous improvement in safety in F1 is constantly saving lives. The importance of these safety improvements was seen in 2020 when Roman Grosjean, a Hass driver, crashed into the barrier in the first lap in Bahrain. The driver’s car was split in half and burst into flames.
Nicki Lauda had a similar crash in 1976. When he swerved off track, his car collided with another and burst into flames. Nicki’s life was saved as he was pulled out of the vehicle by other drivers. After the crash, Nicki went into a coma and suffered severe facial burns. It was unlikely that he would survive. Nicki recovered and only missed two races, winning the championship the following year.
Both Grosjean and Lauda had very severe and similar accidents during their Formula 1 career. However, F1’s continuous improvement in safety measures meant that Grosjean came out with fewer injuries. The fireproof and durable helmets that drivers must wear prevented Grosjean from suffering the same burns as Lauda, who had severe scarring on his face after the crash.
After both cars burst into flames, it is quite a miracle that either survived. Grosjean walked away with a few broken ribs, and he also suffered burns to his hands when he touched the barriers as he was trying to exit the flames. Grosjean’s crash was worse than Lauda’s, but the outcome was much different because of the fantastic safety measures the FIA have in place. Grosjean would have unlikely survived without the halo, HANS, survival cells, and fire-resistant overalls.
Formula One Achievements
Over the years of F1, many records have been set and broken. Let’s have a look at some of the most outstanding achievements in F1 history
Who Has the Most F1 World Championships
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton have seven world champions, the most won by any F1 driver. Lewis Hamilton also holds the title of most Grand Prix wins with 103 wins over his career, and Michael Schumacher takes second place with 91 wins. Both Schumacher and Hamilton are the most decorated drivers in F1 history,
What Team Has the Most Constructor Titles
Ferrari has the most constructors’ titles, with 16 wins. Given that they have been driving in Formula 1 for the longest time, it is not very surprising that they are at the top of the Constructors’ Championship table.
The higher a team places in the constructors, the more prize money it receives. This is why teams that win the constructors have the best cars, as they have more money to invest in them. There is a huge difference between the money that teams who do well in the constructors championship win and those who do not. Teams like Williams and Aston Martin receive much less prize money than top teams like Mercedes and Ferrari.
Who Was the Youngest F1 World Champion
At 23, Sebastian Vettel won the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, making him the youngest Formula 1 World Champion. Vettel was driving for Red Bull at the time. His win in 2010 marked the beginning of four consecutive world titles for the German driver.
Who Was the Youngest Driver to Win A Grand Prix
Max Verstappen became the youngest F1 driver to win a Grand Prix at 18 when he won the 2017 Spanish Grand Prix. The Belgian-Dutch driver is no stranger to breaking records. Not only was Max Verstappen the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix, but he was also the youngest ever F1 driver to start a Formula 1 race at 17 years old and the youngest podium sitter. He was also the first driver in the Netherlands to win the World Champion title and the youngest points scorer in the history of Formula 1.
Who Has Won The Most World Championships in a Row
Michael Schumacher is well-known for breaking world records within Formula 1, and here is just another one to add to the long list. In 2004, Michael Schumacher won his seventh and 5th World Championship titles in a row. Not only had he broken Fangio’s record of five titles the previous year, he had also broken Fangio’s four-in-a-row title win. Four in a row is the closest any other driver has gotten to his title.
What Driver Has The Most Grand Prix Wins
Lewis Hamilton has the most Grand Prix wins in Formula 1 history, with 103 wins. The British driver is the only person to have ever reached three figures for race wins, and it is highly likely that Hamilton will add even more wins to this figure.
Formula One Media
Watch
Live Coverage and Commentary on F1 Races
- F1 TV
- ESPN
- Sky Sports F1
TV Series, Movies and Documentaries on F1
- Netflix- Formula 1: Drive to Survive
- Prime Original- Grand Prix Driver
- Sky Sports F1- Legends of F1
- Racing Legends
- 1:Life on the Limit
These are just a few of the great films and documentary series made on F1 in recent years. Many more documentaries have been made on individual teams, like McLaren and Ferrari, and on individual drivers, like Schumacher, Lauda, Senna, Verstappen, and Hamilton.
Listen
Keep up with the latest F1 news and listen to interviews from your favourite F1 drivers with podcasts and radio.
Podcasts
- F1: Beyond The Grid
- F1 Nation
- F1: Chequered Flag
- The Inside Line F1 Podcast
Radio Shows
- BBC 5 Live Formula 1
- Fast and Loose
Read
If you like to read and are interested in Formula One, why not combine the two and read books all about F1? Here is a list of a few general F1 books, but you can also read books on specific drivers and teams involved in the fantastic motorsport.
- Formula One: The Official History by Maurice Hamilton
- Formula One: The Pursuit of Speed by Maurice Hamilton
- The Mechanic by Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestley
- Formula One: The Pinnacle: The pivotal events that made F1 the most excellent motorsport series by Tony Dodgins
F1 Teams and Drivers 2022
Every Formula One Season comprises 10 teams and 20 drivers, meaning two drivers per team. The 10 teams and their drivers for the 2022 season are;
- Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
- Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
- Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
- Alpine: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon
- McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris
- Alfa Romeo: Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas
- Haas Formula One Team: Kevin Magnussen and Michael Schumacher
- AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda
- Aston Martin: Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel
- Williams: Alexander Albon and Nicholas Latifi
Drivers Standings 2022
| Driver | Points | Driver | Points |
| Verstappen | 454 | 11. Riccardo | 37 |
| Leclerc | 308 | 12. Vettel | 37 |
| Perez | 305 | 13. Magnussen | 25 |
| Russell | 275 | 14. Gasly | 23 |
| Sainz | 246 | 15. Stroll | 18 |
| Hamilton | 240 | 16. Schumacher | 12 |
| Norris | 122 | 17. Tsunoda | 12 |
| Ocon | 92 | 18. Guanyu | 6 |
| Alonso | 81 | 19. Albon | 4 |
| Bottas | 49 | 20. Latifi | 2 |
Max Verstappen was declared two-time Formula One world champion on October 9, 2022, with four Grand Prix, left in the season when he won the Japanese Grand Prix.
Team Standings 2022
| Team | Points |
| Red Bull Racing | 759 |
| Ferrari | 554 |
| Mercedes | 515 |
| Alpine Renault | 173 |
| McLaren | 159 |
| Alfa Romeo | 55 |
| Aston Martin | 55 |
| Haas | 37 |
| AlphaTaurai | 35 |
| Williams | 8 |
F1 Schedule and Results 2022
Round 1
Date: March 18th-20th
Location: Bahrain
Winner: Charles Leclerc
Round 2
Date: March 25th-27th
Location: Saudi Arabia
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 3
Date: April 8th-10th
Location: Australia
Winner: Charles Leclerc
Round 4
Date: April 22nd-24th
Location: Italy
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 5
Date: May 6th-8th
Location: United States
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 6
Date: May 20th-22nd
Location: Spain
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 7
Date: May 27th-29th
Location: Monaco
Winner: Sergio Perez
Round 8
Date: June 10th-12th
Location: Azerbaijan
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 9
Date: June 17th-19th
Location: Canada
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 10
Date: July 1st-3rd
Location: Great Britain
Winner: Carlos Sainz
Round 11
Date: July 8th-10th
Location: Austria
Winner: Charles Leclerc
Round 12
Date: July 22nd-24th
Location: France
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 13
Date: July 29th-31st
Location: Hungary
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 14
Date: August 26th-28th
Location: Belgium
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 15
Date: September 2nd-4th
Location: Netherlands
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 16
Date: September 9th-11th
Location: Italy
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 17
Date: September 30th – October 2nd
Location: Singapore
Winner: Sergio Perez
Round 18
Date: October 7th-9th
Location: Japan
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 19
Date: October 21st-23rd
Location: United States
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 20
Date: October 28th-30th
Location: Mexico
Winner: Max Verstappen
Round 21
Date: November 11th-113th
Location: Brazil
Winner: George Russell
Round 22
Date: November 18th-20th
Location: Abu Dhabi
Winner: Max Verstappen
Changes For the 2023 Season
Drivers
- Daniel Riccardo will no longer have a seat at McLaren in 2023 and will instead act as a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing.
- In 2023, Michael Schumacher will no longer have a seat at Haas; he will instead drive as a reserve driver for Mercedes AMG.
- Nicholas Latifi will no longer have a seat at Williams for the 2023 season.
- Australian driver Oscar Piastri will replace Daniel Riccardo at McLaren in 2023.
- Nico Hülkenberg will return to Formula One and join Magnussen at Haas for 2023.
- F1 rookie Logan Sargeant will join Alex Albon at Williams for the 2023 season.
- Pierre Gasly will leave AlphaTauri to join Ocon at Alpine for 2023.
- Nyck de Vries will take Gasly’s seat at AlphaTauri and drive alongside Tsunoda for the 2023 season.
- Sebastian Vettel will retire at the end of the 2022 season. Alonso will take Vettel’s seat at Aston Martin on a multi-deal year.
Season
- The 2023 Formula One season will have an incredible 24 races, the biggest calendar in the Sport’s history. This is great news for fans!
- The Las Vegas Grand Prix will be added to the F1 calendar in 2023.
Conclusion
Formula One represents the perfect fusion of technology, skill, and strategy, making it a truly unique and thrilling motorsport. Its enduring legacy, marked by fierce rivalries, technological advancements, and a global fanbase, ensures that F1 will remain at the forefront of racing for years. As the sport continues to evolve, embracing innovations while staying true to its rich heritage, Formula One will continue to captivate audiences and inspire the next generation of drivers, engineers, and fans worldwide.