How well do you know Formula 1?
Formula 1 is the fastest form of circuit racing. Six questions, from easy to hard, about the sport's cars, drivers and history.
Did you know?
- Monaco's street circuit is the slowest and tightest on the calendar, yet it is one of the most prestigious races. Overtaking is so difficult that qualifying position often decides the result.
- F1 drivers can experience forces of up to around 5–6 g when braking and cornering. They train their neck muscles intensively to hold up their heads against these forces.
- An F1 steering wheel has dozens of buttons and dials that control settings such as brake balance and engine modes. It is custom-made for each driver and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Speed, engineering and strategy
Formula 1 combines driver skill with cutting-edge engineering. Teams design and build their own cars within strict rules, and small improvements in aerodynamics or engines can decide championships. Races are held on every inhabited continent except Africa in recent seasons, and the sport attracts huge global audiences.
The power of aerodynamics
Much of an F1 car's performance comes from aerodynamics. Wings, the floor and other surfaces create downforce, pushing the car onto the track so it can corner at very high speeds. Engineers use wind tunnels and computer simulations to shape every surface, and the rules limit how much testing each team can do.
Strategy and tyres
Tyre choice is central to race strategy. Different compounds offer more grip or longer life, and teams must plan when to pit. A well-timed stop can gain positions, while a mistake can cost a race. Weather changes add further complexity, as teams switch between dry and wet tyres.
Safety improvements
F1 has become much safer over the decades. Stronger cockpits, energy-absorbing barriers and the 'halo', a titanium structure above the driver's head introduced in 2018, have saved lives. The halo was controversial at first, but it has since protected drivers in several serious crashes.
A global audience
F1's popularity grew rapidly in recent years, helped by documentary series and new races in the Americas and the Middle East. Circuits range from historic tracks such as Monza to street circuits like Monaco, where cars race through narrow city streets.
Drivers and teams
Each F1 team runs two cars, and teammates are often each other's closest rivals because they drive identical machinery. Drivers usually reach F1 after years in karting and junior series such as Formula 3 and Formula 2. Only 20 race seats exist in a typical season, making it one of the most exclusive jobs in sport.