The Formula 1 World Championship is the most prestigious competition in motorsports. Bringing together the remarkable talents of drivers, pit crew, automotive engineers, and circuit designers, each F1 season offers thrilling moments both on and off the track.
Formula 1 Teams
In the 2023 Formula 1 season, the championship is contested by 10 constructor teams. Each of these teams is represented by 2 drivers, and at the end of the season, the team with the highest combined points across both drivers is named the Constructors’ Champion.
The 10 teams are:
- Alfa Romeo
- Alpha Tauri
- Alpine
- Aston Martin
- Ferrari
- Haas
- McLaren
- Mercedes
- Red Bull
- Williams
Ferrari has the longest history of any team, having taking part in the Constructors’ Championship since 1950. In total, the Ferrari team has entered over 1,000 Formula 1 races.
Grand Prix Format
The Formula 1 season is built around individual Grand Prix races, which are held all around the world on designated circuits. Every track must meet strict specifications to be eligible for hosting Formula 1 races.
A Grand Prix is typically held over a weekend, with practice and warm-ups on the Friday, qualifying races on the Saturday, and the main race on the Sunday. This timing can vary – for example, in 2023, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled for Thursday-Saturday.
The Grand Prix is contested by 20 drivers, as each of the 10 constructor teams has 2 representatives. Qualifying races determine how the drivers will line up for the main race, with the best performing qualifiers securing the frontmost positions on the starting grid.
In the main race, the first 10 drivers to cross the finish line all score points for the championship table. The driver who finishes first wins 25 points, the second 18 points, the third 15 points, and the tenth placed driver just 1 point. The driver who completes the fastest single lap also receives 1 point, but only if they finished in the top 10 overall.
At the end of the Formula 1 season, the driver with the highest points total over the whole season is named World Drivers’ Champion.
FAQs
Who are the best Formula 1 drivers?
As of 2023, the top Formula 1 drivers include Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz Jr., and Charles Leclerc. Verstappen and Pérez both drive for Red Bull, while Hamilton represents Mercedes, Alonso drives for Aston Martin, and both Sainz Jr. and Leclerc represent Ferrari.
Where are Grand Prix races held?
Formula 1 races are held all over the world, with Grand Prix events regularly scheduled in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2023, there are no races held on the African continent, but the South African Grand Prix has been held more than 30 times in previous years.
How many Grand Prix races are there in a Formula 1 season?
In 2023, there were originally 23 Grand Prix races on the Formula 1 calendar. The number can vary slightly from season to season. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was scheduled to take place in May 2023, but was cancelled due to flooding in the area. The season is now expected to comprise 22 races.
How fast do Formula 1 cars go?
Formula 1 cars can reach speeds of over 200 mph, or more than 320 km/h. Although Grand Prix racing requires much more than pure speed, the intricately designed F1 engines allow the cars to travel extraordinarily fast when the drivers need to accelerate.