Formula 1: Fun Facts You Need to Know!

From cars to drivers, from records to rivalries, get ready for a journey full of curiosities that will expand your horizons about the universe of Formula 1.

What do you know about Formula 1, the pinnacle of world motorsport? Fast cars, talented drivers, exciting races on challenging tracks and much more. But do you know everything about this incredible universe?

In this blog, we will unveil together the main curiosities of Formula 1. Prepare to be surprised by stories, unusual facts and impressive records that will make you even more passionate about this sport.

So, buckle up and come with me on this adventure!

What is Formula 1

Formula 1, or F1 as it is popularly known, is the most important car racing championship in the world. They are super fast machines, designed to be as fast and efficient as possible. It’s like the Champions League of motorsport, but with much more speed!

Despite being a sport with huge teams, F1 drivers are like solo artists at high speed. They face incredible forces inside their cars, need to make decisions in milliseconds, all while driving at over 300 kilometers per hour!

Oh, and if you’re wondering why the name Formula 1, know that you are not alone! The name “Formula 1” is more than just a label. We can say that the “Formula” represents the set of strict rules that guarantee fairness and safety in racing, while “1” is the main category in the world, the most prestigious and challenging of all.

In other words, Formula 1 is the perfect union of technology, speed and a set of rules that put all drivers on an equal footing, providing unforgettable spectacles for fans.

When did it start

In 1950, Formula 1 took its first steps as an official world championship, consolidating itself as the highest point in motorsport.

The first race took place on May 13 of the same year, at the Silverstone Circuit, in England, and throughout the season, six other exciting events established the Italian Giuseppe “Nino” Farina as the first world champion .

Although motorsport races existed since the end of the 19th century, the creation of F1 in 1950 marked a new chapter: the era of the category as we know it today, with its rules, competitions and the exciting spirit that has made it one of the most popular sports in the world.

Formula 1 Fun Facts You Need to Know (Source: Canva)

How many competitors and teams participate?

Currently, in Formula 1, 20 drivers and 10 teams participate. Each team puts two cars on the track.

How does the weekend of Formula 1

A Formula 1 weekend is pure excitement! It starts on Friday with 60-minute free practice to adjust the cars and test strategies.

On Saturday, after the last free practice session, the drivers move on to qualifying: three eliminatory stages define the starting grid for Sunday’s big race, where the drivers compete for every millimeter of the track in search for victory and glory.

What does GP mean in Formula 1?

GP in Formula 1 means Grand Prix. It is an important race that takes place in different places around the world during the F1 racing season. Each race is like a special event where the best drivers compete against each other to see who is the fastest and most skilled. It’s like a big motorsport party, with lots of adrenaline and excitement!

How long are the races

In most cases, races last between an hour and a half and two hours, but this is not always the case! In some cases, such as the 2023 Australian GP, ​​Safety Car periods can interrupt the action and increase race time.

Additionally, in each Formula 1 race, organizers decide how many laps drivers should drive based on the size of the track. The total race distance is usually around 305 kilometers, but can vary depending on the track.

Therefore, they adjust the number of laps to reach this distance. So, the longer the track, the fewer laps drivers need to make, and vice versa.

An exception to the rule is Monaco, where the narrow streets require a different format: the race ends after a set number of laps totaling at least 260 km.

What is F1 Sprint?

Basically the Sprint is a short race, with 100 km of pure adrenaline, around a third of the distance of a traditional Grand Prix. It’s non-stop speed and adrenaline, in a contest that lasts around 30 minutes.

The goal of the Sprint is simple: dynamism and emotion. With no mandatory pit stops, the drivers fight side by side for each position, providing a unique spectacle for the fans.

Sprint is certainly a new development that promises to further shake up the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Who are the most successful drivers in the history of the sport? Formula 1?

In the history of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share a record seven drivers’ titles.

Hamilton won his first championship in 2008 with the McLaren team and then won six more with the Mercedes team between 2014 and 2020. He also holds the record for most race wins, with 103 so far, and the most pole positions, with 104 to date.

Schumacher won the 1994 and 1995 titles with the Benetton team and added five more with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004.

Other multi-champions include Juan Manuel Fangio, with five titles in the 1950s, Alain Prost, with four in the 1980s and 1990s, Sebastian Vettel, with four between 2010 and 2013, and current champion Max Verstappen, who won his third title in 2023.

We cannot fail to mention Ayrton Senna, a legendary driver, who had the potential to achieve even greater numbers, but a tragic accident in 1994 interrupted his brilliant career, leaving him with three titles, alongside other famous pilots.

And finally, we have Fernando Alonso, consecutive winner in 2005 and 2006, who joins Hamilton and Verstappen as the only title-winning drivers in the 2024 season.

The most successful teams of all time

In the world of Formula 1, while drivers have been competing since 1950, teams only began competing against each other in 1958, when Vanwall beat Ferrari.

Since then, Ferrari has stood out as the team with the most constructors’ titles, winning it 16 times. Williams comes next, with nine titles, followed by McLaren and Mercedes, with eight each.

As for drivers, Ferrari leads with 15 titles, followed by McLaren with 12. Then come Mercedes (nine), Williams and Red Bull (seven each) and Lotus (six).

Furthermore, Ferrari also has the most race wins with 243 so far. Next comes McLaren with 183, Mercedes with 125, Williams with 114 and Red Bull with 113.

What to do to be a pilot in Formula 1?

Becoming a Formula 1 driver and feeling the excitement of the most famous tracks in the world is a dream that many have. But it is not easy! To do this, you need to start early and dedicate yourself a lot. See the main steps needed to achieve this goal:

1. Start early: The go-kart is the starting point! It is recommended to start around 8 years of age. This will help you develop skills and get used to the competition.
2. Advance through the categories: After mastering the kart, follow for the base categories of the FIA ​​(International Automobile Federation), such as F4, F3 and F2. Each category has its own challenges, so it’s important to prepare well.
3. Get support and visibility: Motorsport is expensive, so look for sponsors to help financially. Additionally, use social media to share your achievements and attract the attention of teams and investors.
4. Develop skills beyond driving: F1 is a team sport, so learn to work with engineers and mechanics.
5. Never give up: The road to F1 is difficult and full of challenges. There will be difficult moments, but it is important to persist and never lose your passion for motorsport!

We’ve reached the end, now it’s up to you! Immerse yourself in this universe of speed and passion, and discover how each curve, each record and each rivalry make Formula 1 a unique and unforgettable spectacle.