Formula 1 articles archive

The Formula 1 world championship began in 1950 and is considered the world’s leading form of single-seater motorsport.

A world drivers’ champion has been crowned every year since the series began. Since 1958 a world constructors’ championship title has also been awarded.

The most successful F1 drivers in history are seven-times world champions Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. In 2021 the former became the first and so far only driver to date to win 100 grands prix.

While Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of 2012, Hamilton continues to race. His rival world champions in the series are Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.

There are 10 teams active in the championship, each of which field cars for two drivers. Each team is required to design and build the majority of its cars but may source some parts including engines, gearboxes and certain other components.

Ferrari has won the F1 constructors’ championship more times than any other team, with 16 titles. It is also the only team which has competed in every championship since the first season of Formula 1.

The Formula 1 calendar typically runs from March to November each year. Pre-season tests take place in February and March, and a post-season test is usually scheduled for late November or December.

A championship now includes over three times as many rounds as early seasons did. Seven rounds counted towards the first world championship – including the Indianapolis 500, despite it being run to different rules – but a record-breaking 24 races are scheduled on the 2024 F1 calendar. The series visits Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. It has not raced in Africa since 1993.

Two organisations are responsible for running F1. The Federation Internazionale de l’Automobile (FIA), based in Paris, France, administers and governs the sport. Its commercial rights are leased to Formula 1 Management (FOM) which was purchased by the US-based Liberty Media in 2017.

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