F1: Everything You Need To Know
Are you seeing people post Insta stories about race winners each weekend or constantly hearing names like Lando or Max and wondering what all the hype is about? If you’re curious about the world of Formula One, here’s a quick and easy guide to get you up to speed and join in the Formula One obsession..
What is F1?
Formula One Racing, or F1, is a high speed motorsport where teams take part in races around the world called Grands Prix. But it’s not just about driving as fast as you can around a track—F1 is a super complex sport that’s all about teamwork and strategy. From engineers to pit crew, everyone on the team plays an important role.
Who Races in F1?
You might have already heard of some of the drivers like Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, or Lewis Hamilton. There are 20 drivers in total, each representing a team like McLaren, Red Bull Racing, or Mercedes. All the drivers share the same goal – win the F1 Drivers’ Championship for the best driver and the F1 Constructors’ Championship for the best team.
So, How Does It Work?
The F1 season runs from March to December, with races almost every weekend. Each F1 weekend happens over three days, and each day is packed with action.
- Friday: Two Free Practice Sessions (FP1 and FP2). Drivers use these to make sure everything in their car is working perfectly, test different strategies, and get a feel for the track.
- Saturday: Qualifying. This is like a time trial where drivers try to set the fastest lap around the track. The results from qualifying determine where each driver will start in Sunday’s race, so it’s a big deal! If you hear someone say ‘pole position,’ that means the driver set the fastest lap in qualifying and gets to start Sunday’s race at the front.
- Sunday: Race Day! This is the main event. Drivers who finish in the top 10 score points for themselves and their teams. At the end of the season, the driver and team with the most points are named champions.
Do I Need to Know All the Technical Stuff?
Nope! You don’t need to be a car expert to enjoy F1. Learning about the technical side can be fun, but you can get into it just by watching the races and following your favorite drivers. The more you watch, the more you’ll naturally pick up.
What’s the Best Way to Follow F1?
Besides watching the races, social media is your best friend for staying up-to-date with F1. Follow your favorite drivers and teams on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for the latest updates. You’ll also find loads of F1 content on YouTube, like race highlights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes clips.
Is It Exciting?
Absolutely! F1 isn’t just about racing—it’s full of drama on and off the track. Drivers often have rivalries (seriously, just search ‘brocedes’ on TikTok to see dramatic rivalry edits set to Taylor Swift songs), and sometimes there’s also tension between drivers and their teams. If you’re into the drama, you’ll love “Drive to Survive,” a Netflix show that shows the behind the scenes of F1. It’s all about the rivalries and personal stories.
Whether you’re into the high-speed races or the off-track drama, F1 has something for everyone. Welcome to the world of Formula One!