Gilles Villeneuve was an extraordinary driver, one perhaps without parallel in any era of Formula One. He was outrageously demanding of his car’s capabilities to the point that he often drove them to destruction. And although his racecraft was sublime and his capacity for seemingly impossible overtaking manoeuvres was limitless, he was also scrupulously fair. … Continue reading The Greatest Wins: Villeneuve
Formula 1 articles archive
The Formula 1 world championship began in 1950 and is considered the world’s leading form of single-seater motorsport. The 2024 F1 season is the 75th time the world championship has been held.
A world drivers’ champion has been crowned every year since the series began. Since 1958 a world constructors’ championship title has also been awarded.
The most successful F1 drivers in history are seven-times world champions Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. In 2021 the former became the first and so far only driver to date to win 100 grands prix.
While Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of 2012, Hamilton continues to race. His rival world champions in the series are Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.
There are 10 teams active in the championship, each of which field cars for two drivers. Each team is required to design and build the majority of its cars but may source some parts including engines, gearboxes and certain other components.
Ferrari has won the F1 constructors’ championship more times than any other team, with 16 titles. It is also the only team which has competed in every championship since the first season of Formula 1.
The Formula 1 calendar typically runs from March to November each year. Pre-season tests take place in February and March, and a post-season test is usually scheduled for late November or December.
A championship now includes over three times as many rounds as early seasons did. Seven rounds counted towards the first world championship – including the Indianapolis 500, despite it being run to different rules – but a record-breaking 24 races are scheduled on the 2024 F1 calendar. The series visits Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. It has not raced in Africa since 1993.
Two organisations are responsible for running F1. The Federation Internazionale de l’Automobile (FIA), based in Paris, France, administers and governs the sport. Its commercial rights are leased to Formula 1 Management (FOM) which was purchased by the US-based Liberty Media in 2017.
Index of F1 articles on RaceFans:
The Greatest Wins: Gethin
Grand Prix flashback
Posted onPeter Gethin’s 1971 victory in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza used to be a benchmark of speed and time – the fastest ever Grand Prix at 242.51 kph (150.75 mph), the closest ever finish with just 0.01s* between first and second, and a staggering 0.61s covering the first five cars. The modern era has … Continue reading The Greatest Wins: Gethin
The Greatest Wins: Fangio
Posted on1950s-era Formula One was very different compared to how it is in 2005. Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio (aged 46, ten years older than Michael Schumacher is today) arrived at the sixth round of the 1957 season having already won three races that year. With each driver only counting their best five results towards the championship, and … Continue reading The Greatest Wins: Fangio
Tilke’s tracks
Posted onHermann Tilke takes some credit for eight of the current F1 tracks – but are they actually any good asks Ben Evans.
The rules unravelled
Posted onThe FIA’s new rules are designed to make the sport more affordable (or, at least, a shade less astronomically expensive) and more entertaining.
The best laid plans…
Posted onWelcome to F1 Fanatic and welcome to the 2005 Grand Prix season!
BAR’s big season
Posted onBAR were the revelation of 2004. But what does 2005 have in store for them?
2005 team-by-team
Posted onWho’s there and who’s nowhere heading into the new season – we break down what the ten teams have got going for and against them.