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ABOUT FORMULA ONE™
The Fundamentals
An Introduction to the Sport
Formula One™ is an international motor sport rooted in technological achievement, high design and glamorous appeal. Every year, individual drivers and their teams, or constructors, compete for championship titles under the watchful eyes of over 600 million passionate fans worldwide.
The cars used in F1™ are designed using a careful balance of weight and aerodynamics to create enough downforce to keep the car on the track, while minimizing drag. Equipped with 750 horsepower engines, they can reach speeds of 320 kph, and accelerate from 0–160 kph and return to 0 kph in just 4.8 seconds. F1™ cars are capable of developing such downforce that, at high speeds, they could theoretically drive upside down.
The races begin with all the cars at the start line, in formation according to pre-race qualification. The initial dash for the first corner is a pivotal moment in the race, often making or breaking the race for a driver. As needed, cars will pit stop during the race, where refueling and changing of tyres is done by a choreographed pit crew in a matter of seconds.
The fans of the sport are among the most spirited and diverse in the sports world. At any given F1™ event, you’ll find A-list celebrities and royalty taking in the spectacle with impassioned adults and children alike. It’s a truly universal sport.
The Rules of the Road
The Rules of the Road
Like any other professional sport, Formula One™ has many rules. In fact, the term “formula” is a direct reference to them. For example, certain restrictions are placed on engines and car designs in order to increase safety and ensure that the drivers’ skills play as large a role in the race outcome as the cars themselves.
There are two F1™ championships awarded every year: one for drivers and one for constructors. The top ten finishers in each race score points towards both the drivers’ and the constructors’ championships, according to the following scale:
1st place: 25 points
2nd place: 20 points
3rd place: 15 points
4th place: 10 points
5th place: 8 points
6th place: 6 points
7th place: 5 points
8th place: 3 points
9th place: 2 points
10th place: 1 point
The driver with the most points at the end of the season is declared drivers’ champion. Similarly, the constructor with the most points is declared constructors’ champion. In the case of a dead heat for a championship place, the driver or constructor with the higher number of superior race results will be awarded the place.
A Brief History
Formula One™ Past & Present
The Early Years: 1950–79
Formula One™ can be traced back to European car racing of the ‘20s and ‘30s. In 1950, at Silverstone, UK, the first FIA Formula One World Championship™ race was held, with Italian Guiseppe Farina claiming victory. Driving their Ferraris, Italians dominated the sport in the ‘50s, but it was the British that owned the ‘60s. Cars moved their engines from up front to the mid-section, while improved aerodynamics and the concept of downforce heavily influenced car design. In the ‘70s, driving legends such as Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti emerged victorious.
The Modern Era: 1980–present
The ‘80s saw the sport burgeoning with global appeal and broad corporate sponsorship. Car technology and design continued to evolve into the ‘90s, as the McLaren and Williams teams continued to dominate the race circuit. The new millennium propelled Michael Schumacher to the spotlight as he set records for Grand Prix™ wins and drivers’ championships, among others. Today, F1™ continues its rapid expansion, with races at new venues in Singapore and Abu Dhabi, and a growing viewership of over 600 million people worldwide.
