The Ultimate Guide to Formula 1: Everything You Need to Know

Formula 1 stands as the pinnacle of motorsport, representing the highest class of international racing for single-seater formula cars. With a global calendar spanning five continents and featuring the world's most advanced racing technology, F1 combines elite athletic performance with cutting-edge engineering in a spectacle unlike any other.

What is Formula 1?

Formula 1 is the world's most prestigious motor racing competition, where drivers battle extreme g-forces at speeds exceeding 370kph (230mph) while teams execute precision pit stops in under two seconds. The sport operates as both an individual and team competition, with drivers competing for the F1 Drivers' Championship and teams vying for the Constructors' Championship and prize money based on their season-end position.

The 2026 Grid: Drivers and Teams

The current Formula 1 grid consists of 11 teams fielding two cars each, making for 22 drivers from around the world. The 2026 season features a mix of legendary champions and promising newcomers. Multiple World Champions like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Fernando Alonso share the track with 2025 champion Lando Norris and rookie Arvid Lindblad, who makes his debut with Racing Bulls.

Teams range from historic names like Ferrari (competing continuously since 1950) and McLaren to relative newcomers like Haas (entered in 2016). The 2026 season welcomes a brand-new team: Cadillac, headquartered in Indianapolis with a UK base near Silverstone.

The Global Calendar

Formula 1's 2026 calendar features 24 races across 21 countries on five continents. Classic circuits such as Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Suzuka, Monaco, and Monza—some dating back to the inaugural 1950 season—are joined by modern additions like Las Vegas, Miami, and Saudi Arabia. A brand-new venue for 2026 is Madrid's purpose-built Madring circuit, hosting the Spanish Grand Prix.

The sport has evolved significantly from its first season in 1950, which featured just seven rounds primarily in Europe. Today's championship truly lives up to its "World Championship" name with events across South America, North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

How an F1 Weekend Works

A standard Grand Prix weekend runs over three days (Friday to Sunday, with Las Vegas being an exception). Friday typically includes two 60-minute practice sessions (FP1 and FP2) for teams to optimize their cars. Saturday begins with a final practice (FP3) followed by Qualifying, a three-stage session that determines the starting grid.

Qualifying consists of Q1 (18 minutes, eliminating the slowest six drivers), Q2 (15 minutes, eliminating six more), and Q3 (12 minutes to decide the top 10, including pole position). Sunday features the Grand Prix itself, where drivers compete for points, podium finishes, and the race win.

Race Duration and the F1 Sprint

Grand Prix races generally last between 90 minutes and two hours, covering a distance of approximately 305 kilometers (189.5 miles), with Monaco as an exception at 260 kilometers (161.5 miles). The 2026 season includes six F1 Sprint events—short, 100km races lasting about 30 minutes designed for maximum action with no mandatory pit stops.

Sprint weekends rearrange the schedule: Sprint Qualifying replaces FP2 on Friday, the Sprint occurs Saturday morning instead of FP3, and Grand Prix Qualifying proceeds as usual. Points are awarded to the top eight finishers (8 points down to 1). Selected for their overtaking potential, the 2026 Sprint venues include China, Miami, Silverstone, Montreal, Zandvoort, and Singapore.

Technical Revolution: 2026 Regulations

The 2026 season brings the biggest technical shake-up in over a decade. Cars become shorter, narrower, lighter, and nimbler, moving away from the ground-effect aerodynamics of 2022-2025. The most significant aerodynamic innovation is Active Aero—drivers can adjust front and rear wing angles depending on track position. Flaps remain closed for cornering grip but open on straights to reduce drag and boost top speed.

Power units also undergo a major transformation. While retaining the 1.6-liter V6 turbo-hybrid core, the 2026 engines feature a roughly 50-50 power split between petrol and electric energy, making them more road-relevant. The enhanced Energy Recovery System (ERS) recharges the battery with twice as much energy per lap. Furthermore, 2026 introduces Advanced Sustainable Fuels from sources like carbon capture, municipal waste, and non-food biomass.

How to Watch Formula 1

F1 attracts millions of fans worldwide, both at circuits and through broadcast. Official channels include F1 Tickets, F1 Hospitality, and F1 Experiences for attending races. F1 TV Pro subscriptions offer live coverage of every session (in selected territories) along with historic races and documentaries. The sport also reached cinematic audiences with 2025's "F1 The Movie," starring Brad Pitt as veteran driver Sonny Hayes, filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends and now streaming on Apple TV+.

Historical Legacy

Formula 1 was established as a World Championship in 1950, with the first race at Silverstone on May 13. Giuseppe "Nino" Farina became the inaugural champion. The sport's record books feature legendary names: Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share the record of seven Drivers' titles, while Ferrari leads with 16 Constructors' Championships and 248 race victories.

The governing body is the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), which sets technical, sporting, and financial regulations, while commercial rights are held by Liberty Media through Formula One Management (FOM).

As Formula 1 continues to evolve with new technologies, sustainable fuels, and expanding global reach, it remains the ultimate test of driver skill, team strategy, and engineering excellence—a truly unparalleled spectacle in the world of sports.