A Brief History of F1®
Explore A Brief History of F1®, from its 1950 origins to legendary teams, drivers, and cars. Book your F1 Watch Party tickets today!
Read moreWhat is F1®? A Guide to Formula 1®
Often referred to as the ‘pinnacle of motorsport,’ Formula 1 is a historic international sport with a growing popularity in the US. And, with everything from Netflix smash hits to Hollywood movies bringing Formula 1 races to the heart of pop culture, it’s only going to get bigger and better from here.
But what exactly is F1, and how does it work? Whether you’re trying to get into Formula 1 or just want to know what all the fuss is about, read on to learn everything you need to know about Formula 1 ahead of the 2025 season.
So, what is Formula 1?
Formula 1 is an international racing competition with open-wheel single-seater cars. F1 teams and their drivers travel around the world competing for two championship titles: the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship.
Is F1 a sport?
Yes, Formula 1 is a sport. In fact, it’s the world’s most prestigious motorsport and F1 drivers are widely considered some of the fittest athletes in the world.
What do you call an F1 race?
An F1 race is called a Grand Prix™. This is French for Grand Prize - referring to the honor of winning a race… as well as the big trophy!
When did F1 start?
The origins of Formula 1 date back to the early European Grand Prix championships in the 1920s. But, F1 as we know it today started with the World Championship of Drivers in 1950. The first-ever F1 race was the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, England, on May 13, 1950.
How fast does a Formula 1 race car go?
F1 cars typically travel at speeds between 200 and 233 miles per hour. The highest speed ever recorded was 234.9 mph, by Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas.
How long are F1 races?
Every F1 race is different, with the full distance depending on the track or street circuit. The minimum length of a Grand Prix is 190 miles, except for Monaco, which is 160 miles long.
A typical race will last around 90 minutes. But, depending on yellow flags and safety cars, F1 races can last up to 2 hours.
How to get into F1
If you’re looking for ways to get into F1, there are many TV shows, movies, and podcasts to choose from. The obvious place to start is with ‘Drive to Survive’ on Netflix. If you know nothing about F1 teams or F1 drivers, this behind-the-scenes documentary will get you up to speed.
Popular Formula 1 podcasts include F1: Beyond the Grid, F1 Nation, and Eff Won with DRS. If you want to know more about the F1 teams and all the 2025 F1 drivers before you binge-watch and listen to these, we’ve got you covered.
Who are the F1 Teams?
There are currently 10 F1 teams (also known as ‘constructors’).
- Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team
- Oracle Red Bull Racing
- Scuderia Ferrari HP
- BWT Alpine Formula One Team
- MoneyGram Haas F1 Team
- Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team
- Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team
- Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
- McLaren Formula 1 Team
- Atlassian Williams Racing
How many F1 Drivers are there?
Each team has two drivers, making a total of 20 drivers for 2025. F1 drivers compete together to score points for the Constructors’ Championship, but they’re also competing as individuals for the Drivers’ Championship. This can create tense and chilly team dynamics!
Here’s the driver line-up for 2025:
- Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team - George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli
- Oracle Red Bull Racing - Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson
- Scuderia Ferrari HP - Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
- BWT Alpine Formula One Team - Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan
- MoneyGram Haas F1 Team - Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman
- Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team - Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar
- Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team - Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
- Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber - Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
- McLaren Formula 1 Team - Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
- Atlassian Williams Racing - Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz
How many F1 races are there in a season?
In 2025, there will be 24 Formula 1 races, however, this number does not stay the same on a yearly basis! Races take place on a Sunday, with practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday. Some Grand Prix weekends also include extra sprint races.
Here’s the F1 race schedule for 2025:
- Australia - March 14-16
- China - March 21-23 (+Sprint Race)
- Japan - April 4-6
- Bahrain - April 11-13
- Saudi Arabia - April 18-20
- Miami - May 2-4 (+Sprint Race)
- Emilia Romagna - May 16-18
- Monaco - May 23-25
- Spain - May 30 - June 1
- Canada - June 13-15
- Austria - June 27-29
- Great Britain - July 4-6
- Belgium - July 25-27 (+Sprint Race)
- Hungary - August 1-3
- Netherlands - August 29-31
- Italy - September 5-7
- Azerbaijan - September 19-21
- Singapore - October 3-5
- United States - October 17-19 (+Sprint Race)
- Mexico - October 24-26
- Brazil - November 7-9 (+Sprint Race)
- Las Vegas - November 20-22
- Qatar - November 28-30 (+Sprint Race)
- Abu Dhabi - December 5-7
How do points work in F1?
Only the top 10 drivers earn points in a Grand Prix. Championship titles have come down to a single point in the past, so every point matters!
- 1st - 25 points
- 2nd - 18 points
- 3rd - 15 points
- 4th - 12 points
- 5th - 10 points
- 6th - 8 points
- 7th - 6 points
- 8th - 4 points
- 9th - 2 points
- 10th - 1 point
For sprint races, only the top 8 drivers score points.
- 1st - 8 points
- 2nd - 7 points
- 3rd - 6 points
- 4th - 5 points
- 5th - 4 points
- 6th - 3 points
- 7th - 2 points
- 8th - 1 point
What to expect in the 2025 F1 Season
The 2025 Formula 1 season starts in Australia on March 14th, and if the end of the last F1 season is anything to go by, it promises to be the tightest championship battle since 2021.
If you want to soak up the exciting race atmosphere with other F1 fans, why not come to one of F1 Arcade’s watch parties? With live coverage on big-screen TVs plus interactive games, food, and drinks, it’s the perfect place to fall in love with Formula 1.
Need even more of a reason to tune into the 2025 F1 season? Here are some of the top storylines we’re excited about this year!
Hamilton Racing for Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton sent shockwaves across F1 by announcing he was leaving Mercedes for Ferrari. After winning six World Championships with the team - the most successful F1 partnership in history - Hamilton will be racing in red for one of the most iconic teams in Formula 1.
Promising rookies
The 2025 F1 season has several exciting new drivers: Kimi Antonelli, Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar, and Liam Lawson. Some of these have filled in for F1 drivers in the past, but this will be their first one with a full-time seat on the grid.
Norris and McLaren going for the double
The last few Formula 1 seasons have been dominated by Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen. But, about halfway through 2024, other teams started to catch up. Ultimately, McLaren took the constructors’ championship with Ferrari in second place. Although Lando Norris was in contention for the Drivers’ Championship, he didn’t do enough to dethrone Verstappen.
This year, Norris and McLaren have their eye on both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. And, Ferrari, with the all-star line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, will be hot on their heels.
Want to feel like an F1 driver? Visit F1 Arcade!
Getting excited about the 2025 F1 season? Get down to F1 Arcade and experience Formula 1 up close and personal.
With our state-of-the-art racing simulators, you can see what it feels like to drive an F1 car, play against your friends, or battle with strangers. You can also test your reaction time on our Batak-style games and refuel with delicious meals, bar snacks, drinks, and cocktails.
Find an F1 Arcade near you now and head down for some Formula 1 fun!
