GRAND PRIX

F1
How does F1 race work?
Formula 1 (F1) is the highest level of international single-seater auto racing, organized by the
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Here’s how it works:
1. The Basics of an F1 Race Weekend
Each F1 race weekend follows a structured format:
 Friday (or Thursday in some races)
o Practice Sessions: Drivers get two sessions to test their cars, understand track
conditions, and optimize setups.
 Saturday
o Final Practice: One more session before qualifying.
o Qualifying: A knockout-style session to determine starting positions for the race.
 Sunday
o Race Day: Drivers compete over a set number of laps (or a time limit if delays
occur). The first driver to cross the finish line wins.

2. How the Race Works

 Starting Grid: Determined by qualifying results.
 Lights Out: The race starts when the five red lights go out.
 Strategy Matters: Teams use pit stops, tire choices, and fuel management to gain an
advantage.
 Safety Car & Flags: Incidents on track can trigger yellow flags or a safety car to slow
down the race for safety.
 Finish Line: The race ends when the leader completes the required laps.

3. Points System
 The top 10 finishers earn points:
o 1st place → 25 points
o 2nd place → 18 points
o 3rd place → 15 points
o 4th to 10th → 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 points
o Fastest lap bonus: 1 point (if finished in the top 10)
 These points determine both the Drivers' Championship (best driver) and the
Constructors' Championship (best team).

4. The Cars
 Hybrid Engines: A mix of turbocharged internal combustion and electric motors for
speed and efficiency.
 Aerodynamics: Wings and body design optimize speed and downforce.
 Tires: Teams choose from soft (fast but wears quickly), medium, and hard (slower but
lasts longer).
5. The Teams & Drivers
 There are 10 teams, each with two drivers.
 Major teams include Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin.
 Each season, drivers and teams battle for the championship titles.

What is Qualifying in F1?

Qualifying is the session that determines the starting grid for the race. It’s a timed event where
drivers set the fastest lap possible to secure the best starting position.

How Does F1 Qualifying Work?

F1 qualifying is split into three knockout stages:
1. Q1 (First Round - 18 Minutes)
 All 20 drivers compete.
 The slowest 5 drivers are eliminated and placed in positions 16-20 for the race.
 The remaining 15 advance to Q2.
2. Q2 (Second Round - 15 Minutes)
 The 15 remaining drivers compete.
 The slowest 5 drivers are eliminated and placed in positions 11-15.
 The top 10 advance to Q3.
3. Q3 (Final Round - 12 Minutes)
 The fastest 10 drivers battle for pole position (P1), the best starting spot for the race.
 The fastest lap time in Q3 gets pole position.
 The rest of the drivers fill positions 2-10 based on their lap times.

Why is Qualifying Important?

 The higher the starting position, the better the chance to win the race.
 Tracks with fewer overtaking opportunities (like Monaco) make qualifying crucial.
 Pole position (P1) is ideal as it gives a clear track ahead at the race start.

What is the Starting Grid in F1?

The starting grid is the lineup of cars before the race begins, based on their qualifying results.
The fastest driver in qualifying starts at the front (P1 or Pole Position), while the slowest
starts at the back.

How is the Grid Arranged?

 Pole Position (P1): The driver who sets the fastest lap in qualifying starts at the very
front.
 Other Positions: The rest of the grid is arranged in descending order based on qualifying
lap times.
 Staggered Formation: Cars are placed in a 2x2 formation, meaning they are slightly
offset rather than directly side by side.
 Grid Penalties: If a driver receives a penalty (e.g., engine change, causing a crash), they
may start further back than their qualifying position.
Why is the Starting Grid Important?
 Better Position = Better Race Start: Being near the front gives a driver a clear track and
better chances to lead.
 Overtaking Difficulty: Some tracks (like Monaco) are hard to overtake on, making
qualifying even more crucial.
 Strategy Planning: Teams adjust race strategies based on starting positions, like tire
choices and pit stop plans.

Is F1 a Team Sport?
Yes! While it may seem like an individual competition, Formula 1 is very much a team sport.
Each team has two drivers, but the entire crew—including engineers, strategists, and pit crew
—work together to achieve success.

How F1 Works as a Team Sport

1. The Two Championships
F1 has two main championships running simultaneously:
 Drivers' Championship 🏆 → Won by the driver who earns the most points.
 Constructors' Championship 🏁 → Won by the team (combined points from both
drivers).
Even if one driver dominates, the team's second driver plays a key role in securing the
Constructors’ title and affecting rival teams' strategies.
2. Teamwork Between Drivers 🚗💨
 Supporting Each Other: Sometimes, one driver might play a defensive role to hold up
rivals so their teammate can win.
 Not Always Equal: Some teams have a “number one” driver who gets priority (e.g., Red
Bull favors Verstappen over Perez).
 Team Orders: Teams can ask one driver to let the other pass if it helps the team overall.
3. Engineers & Strategists Matter
 Car Development: Engineers constantly improve the car’s performance.
 Race Strategy: Decisions like pit stops, tire changes, and fuel management are handled
by strategists.
 Pit Crew: The team performs pit stops in under 2 seconds, crucial for winning races.
4. Constructors’ Championship = Big Money 💰
 Teams earn prize money based on their final ranking in the Constructors' Championship.
 The higher they finish, the more money they get for next season's car development.

Team Engine Supplier Driver 1 Driver 2

Red Bull Racing 🏆 Red Bull Powertrains Max Verstappen Liam Lawson
Mercedes-AMG Mercedes George Russell Andrea Kimi Antonelli (rookie)
Ferrari Ferrari Charles Leclerc Lewis Hamilton
McLaren Mercedes Lando Norris Oscar Piastri
 Aston Martin Honda (2026-on) Fernando Alonso Lance Stroll
Alpine Renault Jack Doohan Pierre Gasly
Williams Mercedes Alexander Albon Carlos Sainz Jr.
RB (AlphaTauri) Red Bull Powertrains Isack Hadjar Yuki Tsunoda
Sauber (Audi in 2026) Ferrari → Audi (2026) Gabriel Bortoleto Nico Hülkenberg
Haas Ferrari Esteban Ocon Oliver Bearman (rookie)

Notable changes for the 2025 season:

 Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari after a long tenure with Mercedes, aiming to secure
his eighth world title.
 Mercedes-AMG: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, promoted from Formula 2, replaces Hamilton
alongside George Russell.
 Red Bull Racing: Liam Lawson steps up from Racing Bulls to partner with Max
Verstappen.
 Haas: Oliver Bearman, after a promising stint as a reserve driver, joins Esteban Ocon in
an all-new lineup for the team.
 Racing Bulls: Isack Hadjar replaces Liam Lawson, joining Yuki Tsunoda in the rebranded
team formerly known as AlphaTauri.
 Sauber (Audi in 2026): Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 champion, debuts
alongside Nico Hülkenberg, who returns to Sauber after a previous stint with the team.

What Does "Line-Up" Mean in F1?

In Formula 1, "line-up" refers to the list of drivers that a team has for a season. Each team has
two drivers, and the full "line-up" includes all 20 drivers on the grid.

Types of Line-Ups in F1
1️⃣ Season Line-Up → The official list of drivers for all teams in a specific year.
 Example: "The 2025 F1 driver line-up includes Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari and Carlos Sainz
at Williams."
2️⃣ Race Line-Up (Starting Grid) → The order in which cars start the race, based on qualifying
results.
 Example: "Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are on the front row of the starting line-
up."
3️⃣ Team Line-Up → The two drivers racing for a specific team.
 Example: "Mercedes' 2025 line-up is George Russell and Kimi Antonelli."

Why Does the Line-Up Matter?

 Some teams prefer experienced drivers (like Ferrari signing Hamilton).
 Others invest in young talent (like Mercedes bringing in Antonelli).
 Driver line-ups affect team performance and championship results.

What Does "World Championship" Mean in F1? 🏆🌍

In Formula 1, "World Championship" refers to the two main competitions that run
throughout the season:
1️⃣ Drivers' Championship → Awarded to the driver with the most points at the end of the
season.
2️⃣ Constructors' Championship 🏁🏆 → Awarded to the team (constructor) that scores the most
points.

1. F1 Drivers' Championship
 This title is given to the best driver of the season.
 Drivers earn points based on their finishing position in each race.
 The driver with the most points at the end of the season wins.
✔️Example: Max Verstappen won the 2023 World Drivers' Championship because he scored
the most points that season.

2. F1 Constructors' Championship 🏭🏁
 This title is given to the best team (constructor) of the season.
 It is based on the combined points of both drivers from a team.
 The team with the most points at the end of the season wins.
✔️Example: Red Bull Racing won the 2023 Constructors' Championship because Max
Verstappen and Sergio Perez scored the most points together.

Why Is the Constructors' Title Important? 💰

 The winning team gets more prize money to develop better cars.
 Even if a driver wins the Drivers' title, their team may not win the Constructors' title.
 Big teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull fight hard for this title because it proves
they build the best car.

How Do You Win the F1 World Championship? 🏆

✔️Score the most points over the season.
✔️Be consistent—winning races is great, but finishing in the top positions often is key.
✔️Have a strong car and team strategy.