Formula One facts for kids
.svg)
Formula One logo since 2018
|
|
| Category | Open-wheel single-seater Formula auto racing |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 1950 |
| Drivers | 22 |
| Teams | 11 |
| Engine manufacturers | |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Drivers' champion |  Lando Norris (2025)(McLaren-Mercedes) |
| Constructors' champion | McLaren-Mercedes (2025) |
 Current season |
|
Formula One (often called F1) is the top level of car racing in the world. It features special open-wheel cars, meaning their wheels are outside the main body. These races are organized by the Formula One Group and approved by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship started in 1950 and is known as the peak of motor racing. The word formula refers to the strict rules all cars must follow. Each F1 season includes many races called Grands Prix. These exciting races happen in different countries and continents, on special tracks or closed public roads.
Drivers earn points at each Grand Prix. These points decide two yearly World Championships: one for the drivers and one for the teams (called constructors). To race, drivers need a special Super Licence, the highest racing license from the FIA. The races must also be held on Grade One tracks, which are the safest and best-equipped circuits.
Liberty Media Corporation has owned Formula One since 2017. They have added new races like the Miami, Las Vegas, Saudi Arabian, Qatar, and Dutch Grand Prix. They focused on growing the sport in America and the Middle East.
Formula One cars are the fastest road-course racing cars in the world. They achieve incredible speeds in corners because of their aerodynamics. Special front and rear wings, along with underbody tunnels, create a lot of "downforce." This force pushes the car onto the track. The cars rely on advanced electronics, aerodynamics, suspension, and special tyres. Electronic driving aids like traction control and launch control were banned in 1994, briefly returned in 2001, and then banned again in 2004 and 2008.
Running an F1 team is very expensive. It involves designing, building, and maintaining cars, paying staff, and transport. The United Kingdom is a major hub for Formula One. Six of the eleven teams are based there.
Contents
- History of Formula One Racing
- How Formula One Races Work
- Formula One Teams (Constructors)
- Formula One Drivers
- Formula One Grands Prix
- Formula One Race Tracks (Circuits)
- Formula One Cars and Technology
- Money in Formula One
- Future of Formula One
- Women in Formula One
- Formula One Media Coverage
- See also
History of Formula One Racing
Formula One racing grew out of earlier championships from the 1920s and 1930s. The "formula" is a set of rules for all cars. After World War II, new rules for international car racing were set in 1946. The first official World Championship season began in 1950.
The very first World Championship race was the 1950 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in the UK. Giuseppe Farina won the first Drivers' World Championship. Juan Manuel Fangio then became a legend, winning five championships between 1951 and 1957. This record stood for 46 years.
.jpg)
A championship for the teams, called the Constructors' Championship, was added in 1958. Stirling Moss was a great driver in the 1950s and 1960s, but he never won the championship. Fangio still holds the record for the highest winning percentage in Formula One.
Key Technological Changes
One big change was the introduction of mid-engined cars by Bugatti. Jack Brabham showed how much better these cars were. By 1961, all teams used mid-engined cars. In 1962, Lotus introduced a new type of car body called a monocoque chassis, made from aluminum. This was a huge step forward.
In 1968, sponsorship became part of the sport. Teams started putting company logos and colors on their cars. This helped bring more money into racing. Around the same time, aerofoils (wings) appeared on cars. These wings created downforce, pushing the cars onto the track and allowing them to go faster through corners. Later, ground-effect aerodynamics made cars even faster in corners.
Formula One Becomes a Big Business
In the 1970s, Bernie Ecclestone helped turn Formula One into the huge global business it is today. He helped teams work together to get better deals from race tracks. This made the sport much more profitable.
There were some disagreements over rules and money in the early 1980s. These led to the Concorde Agreement, a special deal that helped keep the sport stable and fair for all teams. This agreement has been updated several times since then.
To make cars faster, turbocharged engines became popular in the 1980s. These engines were incredibly powerful. To slow the cars down and improve safety, the FIA limited fuel and boost pressure. Eventually, turbocharged engines were banned in 1989.
Electronic driver aids, like active suspension and traction control, also appeared. These systems helped drivers control the powerful cars. However, the FIA banned many of these aids for the 1994 season. This was because people felt that driver skill, not technology, should decide races.
The rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost was a major highlight in F1 from 1988 to 1993. Sadly, Senna and Roland Ratzenberger both died in accidents during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix weekend. These tragic events led to major safety improvements in the sport. For 20 years, no driver died from injuries in an F1 car until Jules Bianchi's accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. He passed away from his injuries in 2015.
Modern Era and Hybrid Power
_(cropped).jpg)
Michael Schumacher and Ferrari dominated the early 2000s, winning many championships. Schumacher set many records for wins and titles. Later, Fernando Alonso and Renault also won championships. Schumacher retired in 2006 but returned in 2010 with the new Mercedes team.
During this time, the FIA often changed rules to make racing more exciting and reduce costs. For example, "team orders" (where a team tells a driver to let another driver win) were banned in 2002. Tyre suppliers also competed, but after a safety issue at the 2005 United States Grand Prix, Bridgestone became the sole tyre supplier until Pirelli took over later.
In 2008 and 2009, some big car manufacturers like Honda, BMW, and Toyota left Formula One due to economic problems. This led to more "privateer" teams (teams not owned by large car companies) becoming successful, like Brawn GP which won championships in 2009.
A big rule change in 2014 brought in new 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid engines. These "power units" use both petrol and electric power. Mercedes became very dominant, with Lewis Hamilton winning many championships.
In 2021, the Red Bull team, powered by Honda, strongly challenged Mercedes. Max Verstappen won the Drivers' Championship after a thrilling season-long battle with Hamilton. Red Bull and Verstappen continued their dominance in 2022 and 2023.
More car manufacturers have joined the sport in recent years. Honda returned in 2015, and Renault came back as a team in 2016. In 2024, some teams changed their names due to new sponsors. For example, Sauber became Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, and AlphaTauri became Visa Cash App RB (VCARB). In early 2025, Cadillac received approval to join F1 as an 11th team starting in the 2026 season.
How Formula One Races Work
A Formula One Grand Prix event usually lasts a whole weekend. It starts with practice sessions on Friday and Saturday. These sessions help drivers get used to the track and test their cars. After practice, there's a qualifying session on Saturday. This session decides the starting order for the main race on Sunday.
Tyre Rules for Races
.jpg)
Each driver gets a certain number of dry-weather, wet-weather, and intermediate tyres for each race weekend. Unused tyres must be returned.
Qualifying for the Race
The current qualifying format is called "knock-out" qualifying. It has three parts: Q1, Q2, and Q3. Drivers try to set the fastest lap times. The slowest drivers are eliminated at the end of each part.
As of 2026, with 22 cars, Q1 lasts 18 minutes and eliminates the slowest six drivers. In Q2, the remaining 16 drivers have 15 minutes to set one of the ten fastest times. These ten drivers move to Q3. Finally, Q3 lasts 12 minutes and decides the top ten starting positions for the race.
Sprint Races Explained
In 2021, "sprint qualifying" races were introduced on some Saturdays. These shorter races tested a new way to decide the starting order. From 2023, sprint races no longer affect the main race's starting order. Instead, they have their own qualifying session, called the "sprint shootout," and award points separately.
The Main Race Day
The race begins with a formation lap. Drivers check their cars and warm up their tyres. Then, they line up on the starting grid in the order they qualified.
_qualifying_at_US_Grand_Prix_2005.jpg)
Five red lights light up one by one, then go out together to signal the start of the race. During the race, drivers make pit stops to change tyres or repair small damage. They must make at least one pit stop and use two different types of dry tyres.
The race ends when the leader completes a set number of laps. Races can be stopped early if conditions become too dangerous.
Race Director's Role
The race director manages each F1 Grand Prix. They make sure FIA rules are followed and control the start lights. They can also send incidents to race stewards, who might give penalties for breaking rules.
Safety Car on Track
If there's an accident or danger on the track, a safety car is deployed. This car leads the field at a slower speed, and drivers cannot overtake. This helps keep everyone safe while the danger is cleared. Pit stops are allowed during a safety car period.
Virtual Safety Car (VSC)
After Jules Bianchi's accident in 2014, the FIA introduced the Virtual Safety Car (VSC). During a VSC, drivers must slow down and keep their lap times above a certain minimum. This helps manage smaller incidents without needing a full safety car.
Racing Flags and Their Meanings
Flags are used to communicate important messages to drivers during a race.
| Flag | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 |
SC Board (Safety Car) |
Shown with a yellow flag to mean the Safety Car is on track. Drivers must hold position and slow down. |
| VSC Board (Virtual Safety Car) |
Shown with a yellow flag to mean the virtual safety car is in use. Drivers must keep their speed above a minimum. | |
| Yellow | Means there is danger on or near the track. Double yellow flags mean drivers must slow down and be ready to stop. | |
 |
Green | Normal racing conditions are back. This is shown after a yellow flag or safety car. A green flag also starts a session. |
 |
Yellow and red striped | The track is slippery due to oil, water, or debris. It can also mean a small animal is on track. |
 |
Blue | Tells a driver to let faster cars behind them pass because they are about to be lapped. |
 |
White | Means there is a slow car ahead. Often waved when a car leaves the pit lane. |
 |
Black and orange circle | The car is damaged or has a problem. The driver must return to the pit lane right away. |
 |
Black and white | Warns a driver about unfair or dangerous behavior. |
 |
Black | Means a driver is disqualified from the race. |
 |
Red | Immediately stops the race or session if conditions become too dangerous. |
 |
Chequered flag | Signals the end of a practice, qualifying, or race session. |
Points System for Championships
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Since 2010, points are given to the top ten cars in each race. The winner gets 25 points. These points add up throughout the season. The driver and team with the most points at the end become World Champions. A driver must complete at least 90% of the race distance to earn points.
Formula One Teams (Constructors)
A Formula One constructor is the company that designs the car's chassis and engine. If one company designs both, they get full credit. If different companies design them, both are credited. For example, McLaren-Mercedes means McLaren designed the chassis and Mercedes the engine.
Since 1981, F1 teams must build their own car chassis. This makes F1 different from other racing series where teams can buy chassis. To join F1, a new team must pay a large fee to the FIA.
.jpg)
Most F1 teams are based in England, in an area known as "Motorsport Valley." Ferrari is the only team that builds both its chassis and engine in Maranello, Italy. Other teams like Racing Bulls and Audi have bases in different countries. Haas is based in the U.S.
Formula One Drivers
Every F1 team must run two cars in each Grand Prix session. They can use up to four drivers in a season. Sometimes, extra drivers test cars during practice sessions.
Drivers need an FIA Super Licence to compete. This license is given to drivers who have done well in junior racing series and have driven an F1 car for a certain distance. Teams also have reserve drivers who can step in if needed.
Each driver chooses a unique number from 2 to 99 (except 17, which was retired after Jules Bianchi's death). The number 1 is reserved for the reigning World Champion, who can choose to use it or keep their own number.
As of 2025, 35 different drivers have won the World Drivers' Championship. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record with seven titles each. Jochen Rindt is the only driver to win the championship after he passed away. Drivers from the United Kingdom have been the most successful in the sport.
Physical Demands of Driving
Driving an F1 car is extremely tough physically. Drivers burn many calories and lose a lot of body weight during a race. This is because of the intense g-forces. Cars can generate forces up to 6.5 times a driver's body weight in corners. The cockpit also gets very hot, up to 60 °C (140 °F). Drivers wear several layers of fireproof clothing. The steering wheel and brake pedal also require great strength to operate.
Drivers must be light, though there's a minimum weight limit for their well-being. They also need excellent cardiovascular fitness, as their heart rates can be very high during a race.
Path to Formula One (Feeder Series)
Most F1 drivers start in kart racing. Then they move up through junior racing series like Formula Ford, Formula Renault, and Formula 4. After that, they often race in higher-level championships like Formula Three and FIA F3. The highest level before F1 is the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
Some drivers, like Max Verstappen and Kimi Räikkönen, have made it to F1 very quickly, skipping some of the junior series.
Formula One Grands Prix
The number of Grands Prix each season has changed over the years. The first season in 1950 had only seven races. The 2024 season had 24 races, the most ever.
Most early races were in Europe. Over time, F1 expanded to other continents. Argentina hosted the first South American Grand Prix in 1953. Morocco hosted the first African Grand Prix in 1958. Asia and Oceania followed later.
The British Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix are the only races held every Formula One season. The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous and prestigious races.
Most Grands Prix have traditionally been during the day. However, the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix was the first night race. Other races, like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Bahrain Grand Prix, are now also held at night or at dusk.
Current Grand Prix Contracts
The following twenty-two Grands Prix have contracts to be hosted at these circuits for the 2026 season:
The following three Grands Prix have contracts to be hosted at these circuits for the 2027 season:
| Grand Prix | Circuit | Contract ends | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain Grand Prix |  Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir |
2036 | |
| Portuguese Grand Prix |  Algarve International Circuit, Portimão |
2028 | |
| Saudi Arabian Grand Prix |  Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah |
2030 |
Formula One Race Tracks (Circuits)
Formula One races are held on Grade A tracks. These are the highest-rated tracks by the FIA. Each Grand Prix must cover a total distance of 305 km (190 mi), except for the Monaco Grand Prix. Most tracks are run clockwise, but some are anticlockwise.
A typical circuit has a long straight road for the starting grid. The pit lane is next to it, where teams have their garages. During a pit stop, drivers enter the pit lane to change tyres, get repairs, or make adjustments. Before 2010, cars also refueled during pit stops.
As of 2025, most circuits are built just for racing. However, some races use converted public streets, like Monaco, Melbourne, and Las Vegas.
Circuit design focuses on driver safety. Newer circuits are designed to meet modern safety standards. Some classic tracks have been updated to be safer.
Formula One Cars and Technology
Modern Formula One cars are mid-engined, hybrid, and open-wheel single-seaters. The car's body (chassis) is made of carbon-fibre composites. This makes it very light, stiff, and strong. The entire car, including the driver but without fuel, weighs only 800 kg (1,800 lb).
Aerodynamic downforce is very important. Wings at the front and rear, plus ground effect under the car, push the car onto the track. This allows for incredible speeds in corners.
The tyres are also specially designed. From 1998 to 2008, F1 used grooved tyres. But since 2009, slick tyres (smooth tyres for maximum grip) have been used, supplied by Pirelli. F1 cars use special magnesium alloy wheels to reduce weight. Since 2022, wheels are larger (18 inches) and have standardized covers.
F1 cars use double wishbone or multilink suspensions. They also have Carbon-carbon disc brakes for powerful stopping. These brakes work well even at extreme temperatures.
In 2022, new rules changed car designs to reduce "dirty air." This makes it easier for cars to follow each other closely and creates more exciting racing.
Since 2014, F1 cars use 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid power units. These engines use both petrol and electric power, and include energy recovery technology. They run on unleaded fuel similar to what you find at a petrol station. Modern F1 cars can reach speeds over 350 km/h (220 mph). The fastest recorded speed during a Grand Prix was 372.6 km/h (231.5 mph) by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005.
As of 2019, each team can have two cars available. Drivers are limited to a certain number of engines and gearboxes per season.
Money in Formula One
Running an F1 team is very expensive. In 2006, some teams spent hundreds of millions of dollars on engines alone. To control costs, engine development was limited from 2007.
Formula One teams pay entry fees, plus extra money for each point they scored the previous year. F1 drivers also pay a fee for their special Super Licence.
There have been discussions about how profits are shared among teams. Smaller teams have sometimes felt that the money distribution favors the bigger, more established teams.
Building a new permanent race track can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Converting public roads for a temporary circuit is less expensive.
In 2020, Formula One's revenues dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the start of the racing season.
Cost Cap for Teams
When F1 started in 1950, there were no rules about how much teams could spend. This meant richer teams often performed much better. For example, in 2019, the top team spent $420 million, while smaller teams spent much less.
To make racing fairer, the FIA introduced a cost cap. This limits how much teams can spend each year. It started at $175 million in 2021, then was reduced to $145 million due to the pandemic. It fell further to $140 million in 2022, and is $135 million for 2023-2025.
Some critics felt the cap might not be enough because it doesn't include driver salaries or marketing costs. However, the cost cap has helped teams become more efficient and creative with their budgets. For example, McLaren started the 2023 season as one of the slowest cars but became one of the fastest by the end of the year. In 2024, they won the constructors' championship.
Future of Formula One
Formula One is always looking for ways to make the sport better and more affordable for teams.
After buying F1 in 2017, Liberty Media shared their plans for the future. These plans include making the sport's rules simpler, focusing on cost-effectiveness, keeping F1 relevant to road cars, and encouraging new manufacturers to join. In 2020, all teams signed a new Concorde Agreement that changed how prize money and TV revenue are shared.
Environmental Goals
Formula One aims to become carbon neutral by 2030. By 2025, all events should be "sustainable." This means no single-use plastics and ensuring all waste is reused, recycled, or composted.
A report found that logistics caused 45% of F1's carbon dioxide emissions in 2019, while the cars themselves caused only 0.7%.
Since 2021, F1 cars have used fuel with more bio-components. The FIA has developed a fuel that is 100% sustainable. This fuel is used in Formula One from 2025 or 2026, with new engine regulations.
Promoting Fairness and Diversity
Before the 2020 Formula One World Championship, F1 launched the #WeRaceAsOne initiative. This program aims to fight racism and promote diversity in the sport. It includes visible displays of support at races and a task force to improve diversity at all levels of F1.
Teams like Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team have also taken action. They found that most of their staff were white. To change this, they used a black car livery to promote anti-racism messages. They also started a program to hire more people from underrepresented groups.
The F1 drivers have also shown their support. In 2020, all twenty drivers wore "End Racism" shirts and took part in an anti-racism protest. Lewis Hamilton has continued to speak out and wear clothing promoting change.
Women in Formula One
Since F1 began in 1950, five women have competed in a Grand Prix. Only one of them scored points. However, women are increasingly involved in F1 in many roles, from team principals and engineers to strategists and media staff. The Netflix show Drive to Survive has helped increase female viewership of F1. In 2019, 20% of F1 viewers were female, and by 2022, this number grew to 40%.
Female Drivers in F1
Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to compete in F1 at the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. She raced in five Grands Prix and is seen as a pioneer for women in motorsport.
Lella Lombardi is the only woman to score points in an F1 Grand Prix. She finished sixth in the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, earning 0.5 points because the race did not run its full distance.
Desiré Wilson is the only woman to win any type of Formula One race, winning a round of the 1980 British Formula One Championship.
Giovanna Amati was the last female driver to try to qualify for an F1 Grand Prix in 1992. She faced challenges with her car and limited testing.
In 2022, Formula One created F1 Academy. This is a racing championship just for female drivers. It aims to inspire young girls and change ideas about women in motorsport. Its first champion was Marta García. The F1 Academy has attracted a lot of attention and new sponsors.
Women in Team Roles
Austrian Monisha Kaltenborn became F1's first female team principal at Sauber in 2010. English Claire Williams also managed a team as Deputy Team Principal for Williams Racing.
As of 2025, Hannah Schmitz is the principal strategy engineer at Red Bull Racing. She has played a key role in their recent victories. Starting in 2025, Laura Müller became the first woman to serve as a full-time race engineer for Esteban Ocon at Haas.
Formula One Media Coverage
Formula One is broadcast live or delayed in almost every country. It has one of the largest global TV audiences. The total TV audience for the 2001 season was 54 billion, though it has since fallen to 1.55 billion.
All broadcasters receive the same live footage from Formula One Management (FOM). This ensures everyone sees the same action.
The official Formula One website has live timing charts to follow races in real time. There is also a smartphone app that shows driver positions, timing, and commentary. In 2017, Formula One unveiled a new logo.
In 2018, FOM launched F1 TV, an online streaming platform. It lets viewers watch multiple video feeds and timing screens. In 2024, FOM launched a free streaming channel in the U.S. called the Formula 1 Channel. It shows classic races, documentaries, and analysis.
Television Broadcasters
In the United Kingdom, Sky launched a dedicated channel, Sky Sports F1, in 2012. It covers all races live without commercials. Channel 4 also broadcast races for a few years. As of 2025, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds cover races until 2028.
In the United States, ESPN held the rights since 2013, using Sky Sports UK's broadcast. Their deal expired after the 2025 season. Ahead of the 2025 United States Grand Prix, Apple Inc. acquired the U.S. rights for five years. Most coverage will be exclusive to Apple TV subscribers.
In Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, Sky Sport holds the exclusive rights.
See also
In Spanish: Fórmula 1 para niños
- Formula One video games
- Go-kart
- DHL Fastest Lap Award
- DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award
- FIA Pole Trophy
- Overtake Award
- Lorenzo Bandini Trophy
