Formula One isn’t just fast cars and fancy tracks—it’s a whole culture. From legendary drivers to mind-blowing tech, F1 is where speed meets strategy and drama. Thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive, a new wave of fans has hopped on the bandwagon, especially in the U.S.
F1 drivers like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton have been synonymous with the sport for decades and helped usher the racing series into the 21st century. At the same time, movies like Rush, directed by Ron Howard, highlighted the historic rivalry between James Hunt (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl). Thanks to ESPN acquiring the broadcast rights in 2018 (though they are not expected to broadcast F1 starting in 2026), it’s been easier than ever for American fans to see the F1 racing.
If you’re trying to get up to speed before the season kicks off, here’s your cheat sheet to sounding like you’re a longtime F1 fan.
What Even Is F1?
Formula 1 is the top tier of open-wheel racing—think sleek, low-to-the-ground rockets on wheels. The open-seat racing series, often called the pinnacle of motorsports, has been an established organization since 1950, but its roots predate that. Every year, 20 drivers from 10 teams compete to win the F1 Drivers Championship for individual glory and the Constructors Championship for team bragging rights. Some of the biggest manufacturers in sports, like Ferrari and Mercedes, have long been synonymous with motorsports and are major competitors in this series.
Right now, Red Bull is basically Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet, dominating the competition like it’s light work. They’re on a run that could culminate in Red Bull being the most successful constructor ever.
The Cars Are Aerodynamic Marvels
The engineering behind these race cars is extraordinarily advanced; each car costs several million dollars to build. The vehicles all have a turbocharged 1.6 L V6 engine that produces around 950 horsepower and can hit speeds of over 230 miles per hour, with a max RPM of 15,000. They are also equipped with a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission with no clutch pedal but paddle shifters on the steering wheel to switch gears manually.
Producing downforce (which keeps the car glued to the track) is essential for keeping the car balanced, but the downforce can create drag (which slows the car down). Producing downforce and reducing drag simultaneously is incredibly complicated.
The secret sauce? Aerodynamics. Every curve, wing, and vent is designed to maximize downforce while cutting drag.
Basically, these cars are built to go fast and hug corners like their lives depend on it—because, well, they kinda do. Plus, drivers also have a cheat code called DRS (Drag Reduction System), which does exactly what it sounds like. In specific zones, they can flip open the rear wing for an extra speed boost, which is perfect for overtaking competitors.
F1 Drivers: Built Different
F1 drivers aren’t just speed junkies—they’re elite athletes built to handle insane physical stress. A single lap can make the wildest rollercoaster feel like child’s play. During races, drivers endure up to 5 Gs—that’s five times their body weight pressing down on them—so they undergo intense physical regimens to ensure their arms, shoulders, and core can handle the force they experience during turns and braking.
And it’s not just the G-forces. Cockpits can heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, turning the driver’s seat into a sauna. Race suits offer protection, but staying cool is as much a physical battle as a mental one. Fatigue and dehydration hit hard during long races, making endurance just as crucial as speed.
A Typical F1 Race Weekend
A Grand Prix weekend follows a similar rhythm to most racing series:
Practice: Drivers and teams fine-tune setups and get familiar with the track and the weather. Drivers and cars alike are no strangers to the elements, and it’s not unusual to race in the rain.
Qualifying: This three-part elimination battle sets the race grid. The final 10 drivers fight for pole position—the prime spot at the front.
Race Day: Sunday’s main event usually lasts around 90 minutes, though weather, flags, or miscellaneous stoppages can stretch it out.
Blink-And-You-Miss-It: Formula One Pit Stops
One area in which Formula One separates itself from many racing series is that the racing is less about a war of attrition and more about the raw speed and driver skill. Most races clock in around 90 minutes, with lap counts varying by track.
Pit stops are essential in every level of racing, but the margin of error in Formula One is incredibly small, and the old saying “races are won or lost in the pits” still holds weight. Pit stops in F1 are lightning-fast—we’re talking under three seconds to swap four tires, refuel, and make adjustments. The difference between a perfect stop and a race-ruining mistake? Just a few milliseconds.
Formula One Tires
Tires are crucial to the success or failure of a racecar. Pirelli, the manufacturer of the tires used in Formula One, spent several thousand hours testing the current tires for the cars used in the series. Pirelli has three rubber compounds with these tires: soft, medium, and hard.
Different compounds of rubber in racing represent a different kind of wearing. Tires with a softer compound will wear faster but provide more speed, but tires with a harder compound last longer but reduce speed. So, a driver has a symbiotic relationship with their tires.
The TL;DR: red (soft, fastest but least durable), yellow (medium, balanced), and white (hard, slower but long-lasting). Wet weather? Choose green for damp conditions and blue for true downpours.
Having more grip allows for more speed, and taking care of the tires is one of the hardest things a racecar driver can do… especially one hoping to gain ground on the car in front of them.
How Do F1 Points Work?
In Formula One, drivers and teams earn points based on race finishes, with the ultimate goal of winning the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship.
Here’s how the standard point system works for each Grand Prix:
- 2nd place: 18 points
- 3rd place: 15 points
- 4th place: 12 points
- 5th place: 10 points
- 6th place: 8 points
- 7th place: 6 points
- 8th place: 4 points
- 9th place: 2 points
- 10th place: 1 point
Looking for bonus points? The driver with the fastest lap gets an extra 1 point, but only if they finish in the top 10. Sprint races (shorter races held on select weekends) offer additional points: 8 for 1st, 7 for 2nd, down to 1 point for 8th.
The Drivers’ Championship goes to the driver with the most points by season’s end, while the Constructors’ Championship adds both drivers’ points for each team. A single fastest lap or sprint race finish in tight title battles can make all the difference.
The Stars
Formula One is comprised of 10 teams, each with two drivers, and the sport has no shortage of main characters. Max Verstappen is Red Bull’s golden boy; he’s basically untouchable right now. But names like Lando Norris (McLaren), Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) are fan favorites, too.
The biggest shock for 2025? Lewis Hamilton—the seven-time champ—ditching Mercedes for Ferrari after 12 years.
The 2025 F1 Team Lineups Are:
Alpine F1 Team: Pierre Gasly, Jack Doohan
Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team: Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso
Scuderia Ferrari: Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team: Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto
McLaren: Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team: George Russell, Kimi Antonelli
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team: Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda
Oracle Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson
Williams Racing: Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz
F1 Schedule 2025
March 14-16 – Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne, Australia
March 21-23 – Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai, China
April 4-6 – Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka, Japan
April 18-20 – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Sakhir, Bahrain
May 2-4 – Miami Grand Prix – Miami, Florida
May 16-18 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola, Italy
May 23-25 – Monaco Grand Prix – Monaco, Monaco
May 30-June 1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Barcelona, Spain
June 13-15 – Canadian Grand Prix – Montreal, Canada
June 27-29 – Austrian Grand Prix – Spielberg, Austria
July 4-6 – British Grand Prix – Silverstone, United Kingdom
July 25-27 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa, Belgium
August 1-3 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Budapest, Hungary
August 29-31 – Dutch Grand Prix – Zandvoort, Netherlands
September 5-7 – Italian Grand Prix – Monza, Italy
September 19-21 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku, Azerbaijan
October 3-5 – Singapore Grand Prix – Singapore, Singapore
October 17-19 – United States Grand Prix – Austin, Texas
October 24-26 – Mexican Grand Prix – Mexico City, Mexico
November 7-9 – Brazilian Grand Prix – Sao Paulo, Brazil
November 20-22 – Las Vegas Grand Prix – Las Vegas, Nevada
November 28-30 – Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail, Qatar
December 5-7 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi
Why It Hits Different
F1 isn’t just about who crosses the line first—it’s strategy, drama, and personalities clashing at 200+ mph. Whether you’re here for the racing, the fashion, or the memes (“Fernando is faster than you” lives rent-free in every fan’s head), there’s always something to talk about.
So, next time someone brings up Verstappen’s dominance or Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, you’ll be ready to drop knowledge like a seasoned paddock pro.
Lights out, and away we go!