An unhappy Carlos Sainz Jnr says his dramatic incident in first practice when he hit a valve cover, and the penalty he got as a result, shows F1 must improve.
Formula 1 articles archive
The Formula 1 world championship began in 1950 and is considered the world’s leading form of single-seater motorsport. The 2024 F1 season is the 75th time the world championship has been held.
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.
Index of F1 articles on RaceFans:
Fans capture dramatic videos of Sainz striking loose track cover at 300kph
Formula 1
Posted onThe scale of the impact Carlos Sainz Jnr suffered in his incident during first practice has been revealed in videos shot by fans at the track.
Verstappen says his prediction Las Vegas track would be ‘no fun’ was correct
Formula 1
Posted onMax Verstappen did not discover anything in his first real-life experience of the Las Vegas F1 track which made him enjoy it more than he expected to.
Leclerc heads Ferrari one-two after extended Las Vegas practice
Formula 1
Posted onCharles Leclerc headed an extended second practice session in Las Vegas ahead of Ferrari team mate Carlos Sainz Jnr in second.
F1 fans removed from grandstands before second practice in Las Vegas
Formula 1
Posted onThe delayed second practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix took place in front of empty grandstands after fans who had arrived were told they had to leave.
Stewards deny Ferrari’s request for exemption from grid penalty for Sainz
Formula 1
Posted onThe Las Vegas Grand Prix stewards say they do not have the power to accept a request from Ferrari not to give Carlos Sainz Jnr a 10-place grid penalty.
2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix practice in pictures
F1 Pictures
Posted onPictures from the first day of practice for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Street Circuit.
“This is nothing”: Wolff angrily defends Las Vegas GP after practice is abandoned
Formula 1
Posted onMercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff angrily denied F1 suffered a reputational hit after first practice at its new Las Vegas race was cancelled.
Second practice delayed by two hours as F1 scrambles to secure drain covers
Formula 1
Posted onSecond practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been delayed by two hours due to concerns over drain covers on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Ferrari slate “unacceptable” Las Vegas GP preparation after drain damage
Formula 1
Posted onFerrari team principal Frederic Vasseur vehemently criticised Formula 1’s preparation for the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a loose drain cover damaged one of their cars.
First Vegas practice abandoned after 10 minutes as loose drain damages cars
Formula 1
Posted onThe first practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix was abandoned after less than 10 minutes of running as multiple cars were damaged by a loose drain cover.
How some drivers have been “positively surprised” by Las Vegas’ F1 track
Formula 1
Posted onSeveral Formula 1 drivers have been encouraged by their first experience of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit on their simulators.
Hamilton defends F1’s US strategy as Verstappen rubbishes “99% show” Vegas GP
Formula 1
Posted onMax Verstappen called the Las Vegas Grand Prix “99% show and 1% sporting event” – but Lewis Hamilton dismissed criticism of the new round.
Drivers fear extremely low grip levels due to unusual Vegas race arrangement
Formula 1
Posted onFormula 1 drivers are concerned very low grip levels at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit could compromise this weekend’s race at the new track.
F1 must tackle “incredibly expensive” Vegas ticket prices – Leclerc
Formula 1
Posted onCharles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo have both expressed concerns over the extremely high ticket prices for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Russell suspects Las Vegas track won’t produce the exciting race it was designed for
Formula 1
Posted onGeorge Russell is concerned the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit may not achieve its goal of producing close racing.
Pre-race ‘driver intro’ returns at Vegas for first time since unpopular Miami debut
Formula 1
Posted onFormula 1 will hold a driver introduction ceremony before the Las Vegas Grand Prix for only the second time this year, after its previous attempt in Miami was poorly received.
“Vast” Las Vegas Sphere is too big to be a distraction – Russell
Formula 1
Posted onFormula 1 won’t display certain colours on the Sphere to avoid distracting drivers, but George Russell says it’s so big that won’t be a concern.
Las Vegas Grand Prix build-up and opening ceremony in pictures
F1 Pictures
Posted onPictures from Wednesday at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which featured a lavish opening ceremony including all the drivers and a host of musical acts.
Las Vegas unlikely to be another Singapore for Red Bull, say rivals
Formula 1
Posted onRed Bull’s rivals do not expect them to be any more vulnerable at the new Las Vegas Strip Circuit than they have at most other venues this year.