Formula 1 Explained for Beginners

Engine roaring, sparks flying, people cheering – things you will see throughout a Formula 1 race, but what exactly is it, and why is it so much more than just cars going in circles?

Formula One is the masterclass of single-seater, open-wheel racing. It is the pinnacle of motorsport, with 20 cars competing to win not only the Drivers' Championship but also the Constructors’ Championship. Each team on the grid (currently ten) has two drivers who sometimes work together to score points for the Constructors’ Championship, but more often than not compete against each other in the fight for the Drivers’ Championship. Although there is only one driver per car, F1 is a team sport. The drivers are dependent on the information and support they get from their mechanics, engineers, strategists, and their pit crew, changing tires in under three seconds and giving them important data throughout the race.

The current teams on the grid (sorted after the 2024 Constructors’ Championship standings):

1. McLaren                   (Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri)
2. Ferrari                      (Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc)
3. Red Bull Racing      (Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda)
4. Mercedes                (George Russell, Kimi Antonelli)  
5. Aston Martin          (Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll)  
6. Alpine                      (Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto)
7. Haas                        (Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman)
8. Racing Bulls.          (Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson)
9. Williams                 (Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz)
10. Kick Sauber           (Nico Hülkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto)

While the Drivers’ Championship is awarded to the driver with the most points at the end of the season, the Constructors’ Championship is given to the team with the most points from their combined drivers at the end of the season. The drivers receive points based on a scoring system (which has changed over time). Although there are 20 drivers on the grid, only the first ten places will receive points:

1. 25 points
2. 18 points
3. 15 points
4. 12 points
5. 10 points
6. 8 points
7. 6  points
8. 4  points
9. 2  points
10. 1 point

The main goal of Formula One during a Grand Prix is to complete a certain number of laps around a circuit and finish the race first. The typical race distance amounts to 305 km and is limited to a duration of two hours, with exceptions for certain races like Monaco (shorter distance to remain within the timeframe). Within those two hours, drivers work with their pit crew and race engineers, while at times driving a whopping 322 km per hour, to triumph over their competition. One Grand Prix counts as one round in the fight for the championship. Depending on the race calendar, there are between 20 and 24 races each year all over the world. Each Grand Prix weekend follows the same schedule: practice sessions on Fridays, qualifying and third practice on Saturdays, and the race on Sundays. With exceptions on Sprint weekends, where the Sprint race (shorter race) is on Saturday, the schedule changes a little bit.

Each Grand Prix is held on a different circuit throughout the year, ranging from traditional circuits like Monaco, Monza, and Silverstone to newer circuits like Miami, Saudi Arabia, and Madrid starting in 2026. Some are on racetracks (Silverstone, Monza), while others are street races (Singapore, Las Vegas). Some are during the day, while others are at night – this way, it is not only exciting for fans but also more demanding for drivers and their abilities to work their cars.

While the cars on the track may look different, they all aim for the same goal: to minimize air resistance (called drag) while maximizing downforce. Current F1 regulations are based on an aerodynamic concept with “tunnels” under the car’s floor. These tunnels (also known as ground effect) create a suction that pushes the car down onto the track, allowing faster speeds in corners. In addition to the floor, Formula One cars also use a front wing, a rear wing, and sidepods (bulges on the side of the car) to generate downforce (push the car onto the track and maximize grip). While more downforce is helpful in corners to keep the car stable and prevent sliding, it is not beneficial on straights. This is because higher downforce means more air resistance (drag), slowing the car down and forcing the engine to work harder to overcome air resistance.

Current F1 cars are powered by turbocharged V6, 15,000 RPM engines. Meaning that the engine features six cylinders, arranged in a V-shape, and can spin 15,000 times per minute (RPM). The engine, together with the kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems, creates the power unit. When the car brakes, it usually loses energy as heat, which the kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) uses to turn it into electric energy stored in the battery. It is similar to the thermal energy recovery system (MGU-H). It uses some of the heat coming from the exhaust to turn it into electric energy, which can also be stored in the battery. This not only allows the cars to accelerate faster but also makes the car more energy efficient and gives it more power without the need to use more fuel. The current F1 cars use E10 fuel with 10% renewable ethanol; however, in the upcoming years, the aim is to make the fuel 100% renewable.

Overall, Formula 1 is more than just cars driving in circles; it is a spectacle of engineering and high-performance athletes fighting to be the best.