How Does Formula 1 Work?
The Basics Explained
Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. It’s a global championship where the world's best drivers race the world's fastest cars.
In one sentence: Formula 1 is a global championship where teams design cars and drivers score points across a season of races.
The Goal: Two Championships
Unlike many sports, F1 has two winners at the end of the year. Every race contributes points to both:
🏆 Drivers' Championship
Awarded to the individual driver who scores the most points over the season. This is the one the drivers care about most.
🔧 Constructors' Championship
Awarded to the Team (Constructor) that scores the most points combined from both their drivers. This determines the prize money payout.
The Grid: 11 Teams, 22 Drivers
There are 11 teams in Formula 1 (expanded for 2026). Each team must design and build its own chassis (the car's body and structure). This is why they are called "Constructors".
Each team fields 2 cars and 2 drivers.
- Teammates are rivals: Your teammate is the only driver on the grid with the exact same equipment as you. If they are faster, you have no excuses. This makes the teammate battle the most intense rivalry in the sport.
- The Car matters: F1 is an engineering competition as much as a driving one. A great driver in a slow car cannot win. This is why the best drivers (like Verstappen or Hamilton) always try to sign for the team with the fastest car.
Works Teams vs Customer Teams
Not every team builds their own engine.
- Works Teams (e.g., Ferrari, Mercedes, Audi): They build both the car AND the engine. They have total control over the design.
- Customer Teams (e.g., McLaren, Williams): They build their own car but buy the engine from a manufacturer (like Mercedes). They can still beat the factory team if their car design (aerodynamics) is better!
How Do They Win?
Drivers and teams compete for two separate World Championships:
- Drivers' Championship: Won by the driver who scores the most points over the entire season.
- Constructors' Championship: Won by the team with the most combined points from both their drivers.
You don't have to win every race to win the championship. Consistency is key. A driver who finishes 2nd in every race will often beat a driver who wins 5 races but crashes out of the rest.
How long is an F1 season?
The season typically runs from March to December. It is a global tour, visiting 5 continents and over 20 countries.
Points are awarded to the top 10 finishers in each race.
- 1Winner: 25 Points
- 22nd Place: 18 Points
- 33rd Place: 15 Points
...down to 1 point for 10th place.
What's New for 2026?
While the format (Practice, Qualifying, Race) remains the same, the cars are changing drastically in 2026.
They will be smaller, lighter, and use Active Aero (movable wings) and a new Manual Override boost system to overtake.